Waterworld

Video:
At one time, "Waterworld" was a movie I would show off my LaserDisc technology with. Everybody had VHS and I had to show ´em all how good LaserDisc looked and sounded when compared to their crap vision. Sure, they called "Waterworld" crap, but it looked a lot better than what they were watching! With its arrival on HD-DVD, "Waterworld" is presented in a good looking 1.85:1 widescreen transfer that is encoded in 1080p resolution and uses the VC-1 codec. There are a few times when the film doesn´t look as sharp as what you would expect on HD-DVD, but for the most part, detail is extremely good and the colors look spectacular. The shiny and shimmering surface of the ocean looks magnificent. The source materials used look to have been beat up a little bit. I saw noticeable specks of dirt and other flaws that are nicely exhibited by a high definition transfer. There are also moments on film grain that I don´t recall from my LaserDisc days. Overall, the visual splendor is pretty good and I can happily retire my DVD, which it is a definite improvement over.

Sound:
"The Look and Sound of Perfect" is the motto for HD-DVD. Well, if it were perfect, my "Waterworld" would have come packed with a superior sounding Dolby Digital TrueHD soundtrack. Okay, maybe I´m biased, but I wanted this film to sound better. In all honesty, "Waterworld" sounds pretty darn good on HD-DVD and more people need to watch this film to hear what I´m taking about. The Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 soundtrack is aggressive, deep and powerful. All six channels are used and the environmental sounds of the waves are soothing and a nice contrast to the sound-heavy action sequences. The big guns when the Smokers attack the Atoll sound really cool. The .1 LFE channel is used heavily at times and sounds deep. Dialogue is clear and very intelligible, even when the poorly done accent is used by Costner and others. Overall, I was very pleased by "Waterworld" and wasn´t afraid to crank up the sound to enjoy it even more.

Extras:
My heart still bleeds for some extra materials for my beloved film. There is not a single bit of value added content on this HD-DVD. Where are all of the deleted and alternate takes? Where is a making of documentary? Where is the rumored longer version? Why am I the only person that loves this film? I demand more!

Closing Thoughts:
You may have noticed I didn´t get into the story or plot of "Waterworld" in this review. You may think I am just pleading for people to agree with me and just like the film. This is a fun film that tells the story about a little girl and her pet fish and how the pet fish saves the world from an evil band of cigarette smoking thugs that is led by Dennis Hopper and then the pet fish ultimately leads a band of survivors to dry land, where conveniently, the little girl grew up. There is a summary for you. The story doesn´t really matter in the case of "Waterworld." Just go to 7-11 and get the biggest Big Gulp you can find and a pack of microwaveable popcorn. Make the popcorn and then submerge it in butter. I´m not talking margarine. I´m talking butter. Eat your popcorn, drink your soda and just enjoy this wonderfully entertaining film that is maligned, misunderstood, ignored and deprived of supplemental materials. I love this film and how the pet fish treats the ladies. I like the explosions and I like Dennis Hopper´s attitude. This is "Mad Max" on the High Seas and it is pure fun. The video is good, as is the sound. Just ignore every other critic and "sea" for yourself. Just think more about the popcorn and the soda than the storyline.

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