Le Poséidon

I didn't know what to expect of Poseiden. It wasn't too bad of a movie. I expected, and got, some fine special effects that the original Poseiden Adventure lacked. Come to think of it that guy falling through the skylight in the original is still pretty doggone impressive even if it was the result of old technology. I liked Kurt Russell as the ex mayor.

In his finest performance since "What About Bob?" Richard Dreyfus is convincing as a suicidal guy who seems to prefer inside-the-ship drowning to the traditional jumping off the rail.

Its hard not to compare the old with the new version of this film.

If you are like me and have a short attention span you will appreciate the absence of lengthy, why are we here?, if a tree falls in the forest..what is the meaning of life?,reflective, dialogue that was so much a part of the Posieden Adventure.

This film ranks right up there with The Fugitive for non stop action. But having said that I missed the innocence and quaintness of the Poseiden Adventure. I missed the intensity of Gene Hackman passionately preaching that if they will only believe he will lead them to the sign that reads "Capsize Emergency Exit". I missed Shelly Winters heroic New York City swimming championship sequence. I missed ex cop Ernest Borgnine...and who can ever forget the presence of mind of Captain Leslie Neilson in wishing everyone on the bridge Happy New Year with the wave bearing down on them...also the climbing up the Christmas tree to get to the bottom of things. I even missed Red Buttons vitamin supplements.

All in all Poseiden was good entertainment and I was not disappointed with the movie.

Although 'Poseidon' was not all that well received, I actually enjoyed it more than the original, highly acclaimed 'The Poseidon Adventure' (of which 'Poseidon' is a remake), which I found too comical and unbelievable despite its good cast.

'Poseidon' is an action adventure survival thriller, with the focus on the survival element. It doesn't spend much time on character introductions and jumps right into the chaos, so we get to know the characters once their quest for survival begins. Excellent visual effects and a fantastic production design help bring this film to life, making it realistic and conceivable. The capsize scene, especially, was incredibly well done.

The film does follow the same pattern as most disaster films of this genre, with stereotypical characters, and it's always easy to spot the dispensable ones. Essentially, this is a slasher movie - just a different kind of slasher. Due to the film's short running time (94 minutes), it is fast-paced and entertaining throughout and doesn't waste a minute of screen time.

The film features a stellar cast, but I don't think I would have cared who the actors were, as the story was interesting enough and well executed. It is a nail-biter with one primary focus: survival. In my humble opinion, the film succeeded in that aspect. I've watched the movie a few times and enjoy it every time. 'Poseidon' is a disaster movie that delivers.

This version isn't that bad but it's nothing if you compare it to The Poseidon Adventure (1972) - which is a far superior film. But this 2006 is still worth a watch if you want a pretty decent remake.

The stars Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Andre Braugher, and Kevin Dillon are in this - and as always they shine on screen. The rest of the actors aren't bad either.

Lots of visual eye-candy, good cinematography, good acting helps this mediocre script.

If you want a super good version of the book then watch the 1972 film, but you won't go to wrong watching this 2006 remake - just don't expect it to be great.

6/10.

Whilst not holding a candle to the far superior original in terms of script, plot and acting, this remake of the classic 1972 'The Poseidon Adventure' is at least watchable which is more than can be said for a lot of the seemingly endless tide of remakes hitting cinemas these days.

The characters (for want of a better word) are a bit thin and cardboard and the plot really is just a long string of reasonably predictable set pieces but at least it entertains. The best bit is the special effects which are absolutely top drawer. For some reason Hollywood can do some really good FX and CGI when it comes to boats and the CGI rendition of the Poseidon itself in the opening scene is incredibly well done.

Top marks also to the Producers for making sure the Poseidon is a proper British flagged Southampton registered ship and not some Americanised tub.

Much like its predecessor though I fully expect this version to become stable Bank Holiday afternoon television filler material for the next twenty years. Just a pity a remake of 'Beyond the Poseidon Adventure' can't be done from this.

I went in expecting the least, but was pleasantly surprised by a handful of qualities the movie had to offer. Once you get past your formulaic introduction of characters, which honestly felt gratituous by the movie's end, the high-end production played its cards right, showing off some solid CGI in bursts, and relying more on the people to carry the tension. Not to mention Josh Lucas as the lead, laudably so, with Kurt Russell co-piloting the adventure, engaging as usual. Most of the drama was pretty meh to me and my biggest gripe revolves around a certain plot point that chewed up an unnecessary 15min, meanwhile we never get an explanation for why so many explosions occur on the ship throughout the entire movie. Past those, Dreyfuss and Emmy Rossum carry their own, even Freddy Rodriguez and Mike Vogel were good. There's some cheese, some eyerolling, and maybe even some unintentional humor, but if this type of flick is up your alley to begin with, you're bound to enjoy it. I just wish the ending had offered a glimpse of the survivors back home, how their lives turned out. A high 6 from me.