 | Waterworld is a flawed movie often described as a wet Mad Max. In an alternate future where the Earth is covered with water, human survivors live on floating villages and ancient boats. The central Mariner character has strong parallels with Howard Roark, a brilliant, 'different' individualist who prefers to live alone on his custom-rigged trimaran than communally on the poorly defended Atolls. The Hollywood bad guys, the Smokers, initiate force and ransack an Atoll our trading hero is visiting. In the midst of a wonderful battle sequence, the Mariner escapes with a beautiful woman and her mysterious adopted daughter ...
The best part of this movie for me is the depiction of a true individualist who will do anything to live life his own way. Predictably, the Mariner must learn the value of friendship (Hollywood values at their best), but in the end he is the only person strong enough to destroy the Smokers and rescue the Atoll survivors. Having done so, in a non-Hollywood twist, he returns to his preferred lifestyle alone on the waves. |
