Waterworld Blu-ray Review

"Waterworld" arrives on Blu-ray with its original 1.85:1 aspect ratio and presents a solid 1080p High Definition transfer. The video quality exudes a realistic tone, avoiding the glossy sheen often found in modern releases. Detail is notably sharp, especially in facial close-ups, with intricacies such as the crags of Costner's face well-captured. Longer shots maintain their integrity with minimal processing artifacts and edge enhancement barely noticeable. Grain is naturally present, contributing to the film's gritty post-apocalyptic ambiance. High-definition does expose some early-era CGI flaws, but the large-scale set pieces, such as Costner's zip-line scenes amid explosions, still hold visual appeal.

Color reproduction, while accurate to the source, tends towards an understated palette. Flesh tones appear on the brown side, and water scenes depict a tepid gray aqua, contrasting with contemporary expectations of vibrant hues. Skies echo this muted trend, often appearing wispy white rather than clear blue. Although this may faithfully replicate the originally captured aesthetics, it might not align with viewers' desires for more vivid imagery. On a positive note, there is virtually no artifacting, and fine details like closely woven nets and environmental textures are rendered with precision. Black levels are sufficient but come across as somewhat understated due to the film's limited use of profoundly dark scenes. Overall, despite its restrained color scheme, this Blu-ray release is the best visual representation "Waterworld" has ever received.

The DTS HD 5.1 Master Audio mix for the "Waterworld" Blu-ray boasts a robust and immersive experience that significantly heightens the viewing pleasure of this action-adventure film. The dialogue is consistently clear and coherent, ranging from the Mariner’s gruff dialogue to the Deacon’s maniacal ranting. The surround channels are expertly utilized, providing a dynamic auditory scene that captures both the subtle and intense moments. The sound effects—ranging from the buzzing jet-skis to massive explosions—are distinct and well-mixed, delivering an impressive low-frequency extension that immerses you fully into the film’s watery world.

Environmental sounds play a critical role in establishing the oceanic setting, and the mix excels here as well. The thrashing waves and ambient noises like bird calls add to the immersive quality, crafting a convincing sonic backdrop against which the action unfolds. However, while the technical execution of the soundtrack is laudable, the score itself can be intrusive. It occasionally overwhelms the scene, its dated and overly flashy composition disrupting the film's flow, particularly during sequences involving the Mariner's trimaran. Despite this minor drawback, from a purely technical perspective, the audio presentation remains a standout feature of this Blu-ray release.

The Blu-ray release of "Waterworld" is profoundly underwhelming in terms of supplementary content. Considering the film's rich history and the existing Extended Cut available on previous DVD issues, the complete absence of substantial extras is a considerable letdown. Fans hoping for behind-the-scenes insights, deleted scenes, or commentary will be particularly disappointed. Apart from the BD-Live functionality and D Box compatibility—features that provide negligible added value—the disc offers virtually nothing noteworthy. The single extra feature included is a poorly presented theatrical trailer that fails to enhance the viewing experience. For a movie of this scale and legacy, Universal's minimalist approach to the extras package is frustratingly inadequate.

Extras included in this disc:

Theatrical Trailer: Poorly presented, wrong aspect ratio, shows scenes not in the theatrical cut.

"Waterworld" remains a captivating yet polarizing film that exemplifies the high-risk, high-reward nature of big-budget filmmaking. With a mammoth production budget that ballooned midway, "Waterworld" is perhaps better remembered for its tumultuous production than its finished product. Kevin Costner’s performance as the enigmatic Mariner is compelling, showcasing a robust physicality and commitment. The pairing of Costner with director Kevin Reynolds, however, proved contentious, leading to behind-the-scenes conflicts that arguably hampered the final cut. Despite these issues, the film's production design by Dennis Gassner and art direction by David Klassen is superb, building a richly textured, believable post-apocalyptic water world. The trimaran sailed by Costner’s character stands out as an iconic piece of cinematic engineering.

Dennis Hopper’s portrayal of the villainous Deacon lends a chaotic energy that is both entertaining and slightly absurd. While Tripplehorn's role as Helen is underdeveloped, she delivers a performance that combines grit and subtle tenderness. Notably, the narrative occasionally suffers from incoherence, likely owing to significant cuts from an initial three-hour rough version down to a more manageable runtime. This editing has resulted in certain plot points and character developments feeling truncated or unresolved, diminishing the film’s potential emotional depth and coherence.

Technically, this Blu-ray edition delivers solid visual fidelity and exceptional audio quality, which will surely please both fans and newcomers. However, the absence of the elusive extended cut remains a missed opportunity to potentially revisit and refine its narrative gaps. Moreover, a scarcity of supplementary materials means the disc fails to shed much-needed light on the film's storied production history. For enthusiasts who appreciate "Waterworld" for its ambitious scope and unique ecological premise, this release is satisfactory. For those new to this watery dystopia, renting may be prudent until a more comprehensive edition is possibly released in the future.

Waterworld is an ambitious film that aims to blend action and adventure on a grand scale. This Blu-ray edition, while not overly lavish, does manage to uphold the visual and auditory expectations one might have for such a high-stakes endeavor. The picture quality is commendable, balancing the aquatic expanses with intricate details, although it might not blow avid fans away. The real standout here is the sound quality, which enhances the immersive, chaotic ocean battles and quieter moments alike.

Despite its technical strengths, this release may fall short for die-hard fans seeking extras or comprehensive behind-the-scenes content. The lack of supplemental material can be disappointing for those interested in the full production story, leaving viewers with only the film itself to appreciate. While "Waterworld" occasionally flutters with sparks of brilliance and manages to stay somewhat buoyant throughout its runtime, its lofty ambitions often weigh it down.

Ultimately, this Blu-ray release of "Waterworld" presents a mixed offering; it fulfills the basic needs of high-definition viewing with solid picture and sound quality. However, its bare-bones nature makes it less appealing to dedicated collectors or those seeking a deeper dive into the film’s creation. For casual viewers or those newly exploring post-apocalyptic epics, it may still be worth the watch.