I finally got around to watching this film, and I was not impressed.

The story line of an anti-hero has been better scripted and played in films like The Good, The Bad And The Ugly and Shane. Indeed, I would say that if you were to compare the basic outline of Shane with Waterworld, you would find them the same. An unknown arrives in town, doesn’t want any trouble, and then gets drawn into another group’s problems. Tag onto this the definite allegorical story of Noah searching for land after a flood, and the dove (seagull in Waterworld) – and you encompassed the story-line.

Kevin Costner plays the anti-hero; Denis Hopper plays the villain. The problem with the villain is tht you can’t believe him: he has no depth, and Dennis Hopper plays the part as though by rote.

IN conclusion, I cannot see what they spent the millions of dollars on – it certainly wasn’t on something that could be kept for posterity. If we had been back in the 50s, this film would not even have been classified as a ‘B’ film!

[Terry McFarlane]