Sep
5
I like “Waterworld.” I am not kidding. I don’t think of it as a movie that’s “so bad, it’s good.” It’s not a guilty pleasure. I’m completely unashamed of my appreciation for this film. That Universal is doing a double-dip — re-releasing a film on DVD with additional features, much to the chagrin of people who’ve bought the original version — ostensibly means I’m not alone in loving this unofficial sequel to “An Inconvenient Truth.”
DVDActive has announced that a nearly 3-hour version of “Waterworld” will make a splash on DVD this November. To hell with waiting for Christmas. I’m buying this bitch the day it’s released. The two-disc special edition will also include the original cut of the film, a version that clocks in at 136 minutes. It’s doubtful that Universal will have any commentaries or making-of documentaries. The much maligned production of the film, which at the time was the most expensive movie ever made, destroyed the working relationship between director Kevin Reynolds and actor Kevin Costner; they’d previously worked together on “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.”
A lot of people don’t care for “Waterworld.” I went on about this at some length in my blog about “Swing Vote.” I hate to think the film’s price tag was what audiences were obsessing over when the lights in the auditorium dimmed. Or, maybe it’s the film’s environmental message. I happen to like the fact that the villains — God-fearing rednecks called The Smokers — are essentially dytopic Republicans. They want to find the mythical Dry Land and treat it like ANWR. Hell, their base of operations is a rusty oil tanker. And Dennis Hopper is the best pirate this side of Jack Sparrow.
I already own the original version of “Waterworld” on DVD. I picked it up late last year for about $5, thinking that there’d never be a double-dip. I should’ve known that when DVDs are priced that low, it’s because there’s absolutely going to be another version, and the big box stores are trying to unload their inventory of the barebones discs. I guess I’ll chuck the current version. I wish there were some sort of DVD recycling program. I wouldn’t want my carbon footprint to drive us that much closer to a catastrophic flood that engulfs the entire planet. Or, would I…?
-Brad Lohan
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2 Responses to “Yes! A 3-Hour Cut of “Waterworld” is Coming to DVD”
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I agree! Waterworld was f’n dope both in concept and visually. I think I’m going to Netflix the original version this weekend. Hopper is a great villain, and funny too!
So you can always “gift” your $5 version to a friend or relative!!