My memory of Kevin Reynolds’ Waterworld has faded a bit – I think it is time for a re-visit – and what better a time than now as Arrow Video has announced a new special edition re-release for December.
At the time of its release, Waterworld was the most expensive film ever made and incorrectly thought of as a major flop. In actuality, it’s a thrilling action-adventure featuring everything that makes a blockbuster great: star power, jaw-dropping sets, and astounding special effects. With global warming and melting ice caps regularly in the news, the time is right to revisit Waterworld and its ecologically-minded story.
Kevin Costner leads the cast of the film, which also includes the likes of the late, great Dennis Hopper, and Jeanne Tripplehorn.
Here’s the official synopsis to remind you of the story.
The most expensive film ever made at the time of its release, Waterworld has thrilled audiences through the years with its awe-inspiring action scenes, gargantuan maritime sets, and ground-breaking special effects.
A definitive post-apocalypse blockbuster, Waterworld stars Kevin Costner (The Untouchables) as The Mariner – a mutant trader, adrift in a dystopian future where Earth is submerged under water and humankind struggles to survive on boats and in ramshackle floating cities. The Mariner becomes embroiled with the Smokers, a gang of pirates who, led by villainous leader Deacon (Dennis Hopper, Blue Velvet), are seeking Enola (Tina Majorino, Napoleon Dynamite), a girl with a map to the mythical realm of “Dryland” tattooed on her back.
Famous for both its epic scale and the controversy that swirled around its production, Waterworld is a key cult film of the 1990s, and an essential entry into the subgenre of ecologically-minded blockbusters. Presented here in an exclusive new restoration, in three different cuts, and with a wealth of extra material, this high-water mark of high-concept Hollywood can now be enjoyed as never before.
Here are the special features in full:
THREE-DISC LIMITED EDITION CONTENTS:
- Three cuts of the film newly restored from original film elements by Arrow Films
- Original 5.1 DTSHD Master Audio and 2.0 stereo audio options
- Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Six collector’s postcards
- Double-sided fold-out poster
- Limited edition 60-page perfect bound book featuring new writing on the film by David J. Moore and Daniel Griffith, and archival articles
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Paul ShipperDISC ONE – THE THEATRICAL CUT:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the original theatrical cut
Maelstrom: The Odyssey of Waterworld, an all-new, feature-length making-of documentary including extensive cast and crew interviews and behind the scenes footage - Dances With Waves, an original archival featurette capturing the film’s production
- Global Warnings, film critic Glenn Kenny explores the subgenre of ecologically themed end-of-the-world films
- Production and promotional stills gallery
- Visual effects stills gallery
- Original trailers and TV spots
DISC TWO – THE TV CUT [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the extended US TV cut, which runs over 40 minutes longer than the theatrical cut
DISC THREE – THE “ULYSSES” CUT [LIMITED EDITION EXCLUSIVE]:
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) presentation of the extended European “Ulysses” cut, which include previously censored shots and dialogue.
Waterworld is released on special edition Blu-ray on 10th December through Arrow Video.
