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Poseidon (2006)
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
Starring: Josh Lucas
Genre:
Action/Adventure
Run Time: 98
min.
Release Date:
May 2006
On The Web:
Official
Site
Teaser:
Movie Trailer
Reviewed by
Byron Merritt |
When word that Wolfgang
Petersen — director of such fantastic films as DAS BOOT, ENEMY
MINE, and THE PERFECT STORM — was slated to direct the remake
of THE POSEIDON ADVENTURE (now shortened to simply POSEIDON),
the sizzling hype around Hollywood was immediately palpable. Production
costs for the heavily CGI-laden film skyrocketed to $160 million, making
it one of the most costly films of 2005 (released in 2006).
Adding to the costs was an ensemble cast starring Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell (DEATH
PROOF), Richard Dreyfuss, Emmy Rossum, Freddy Rodriguez (LADY IN THE
WATER), and Kevin Dillon (24 TV Series).
Now The Poseidon Adventure (1972) wasn't that great a film to begin
with, but what it did have was a catchy tune sang by Karen Carpenter
("It's Got To Be The Morning After") and a great human story surrounded
by a terrible event: the capsizing of a cruise ship. Gene Hackman,
Ernest Borgnine, Red Buttons, Roddy McDowall, Shelly Winters, and Jack
Albertson rounded out that all-star cast. And although the production
was a bit cheesy by today's standards, it held at its center a tale of
human determination and sacrifice. This was the focus. The destruction
of the ship was just the catalyst, not the focal point. Which is where
Wolfgang's remake encounters significant problems.
The character set-up in Poseidon is rushed, never giving the audience a
sense of empathy or angst for any of the people onboard. More film time
is given to the CGI water, fires, explosions, and other non-character
items. Many times during the film we are yanked away from the characters
in order to watch yet another explosion happen somewhere on the ship,
then we're jerked back to the characters who don't really respond to it.
So what was the purpose of showing the movie-watcher these things? The
simple answer is because it was CGI, it was cool, it cost money, so you
have to show it in order to justify your budgetary expenses.
Since we're given so little time to understand or appreciate the
characters' interactions with one another, when one of them dies there's
no impact for the viewer. Most will probably say, "So what" when this
person or that gets snuffed out by the expensive CGI water, fire, or
explosion.
Hollywood needs to learn that it's the people in the film audiences care
about, not the "totally awesome" special effects. Sure,
directors/producers can put the CGI in there and make it look nice, but
it has to have an impact on the characters.
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Image from Poseidon (2006)
DVD cost: $25.99
Purchase:
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Film Review Stew
Favorite? No.
Stew Poo-Poo? No.
Newsworthy:
The "upside-down" set was
built on top of a large water tank in the sound stage so that it can be
filled with water and drained in a matter of hours.
Movie Quote: "You
stay here, you die!"
Other Actors/Actresses
from Poseidon (2006)
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