Starring Kevin Costner, Dennis Hopper, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Tina Majorino, Michael Jeter, Jack black

I generally enjoy big-budget misfires; huge studio films whose execution couldn’t match their lofty ambitions. Waterworld proves to be an exception with its silly ideas (webbed feet) and under developed characters (Costner in his free-fall period, Hopper milking his over-the-top villain routine). The premise could have made a good film-though it’s largely derivative of the Mad Max series. A lone drifter (Costner) wanders in a post-apocalyptic world where the rise of sea levels has created an Earth almost completely covered in water. A young girl with a map which could lead to dry land enters the picture along with savage raiders forcing Costner to pick a side (did I mention how much this film owes to Mad Max). The action, special effects, and set pieces are all pretty good, but the grungy aesthetics (that worked so well for Mad Max) are a turn-off, and I just can’t get over the webbed feet.