Poseidon
POSEIDON: GOD OF THE SEA
Wolfgang Petersen is a man of action. From Air Force One to The Perfect Storm to Troy, there is never a dull moment. But Wolfgang Petersen isn’t your typical action movie director. He doesn’t sacrifice the story in order to have some action. In Poseidon, Petersen throws you all the harrowing, claustrophobic moments you can take while making you care for the group of people just trying to get to the top of the bottom of the ship.
The movie begins with a sweeping camera angle of the boat, just in case you doubt the grandiose size. As the camera slows down it focuses on Dylan Johns (Josh Lucas) taking a run on the top deck. Dylan’s size compared to the vessel is emphasized to characterize the story of man versus ship, David and Goliath style. Dylan is a professional gambler who takes advantage of his fellow players’ weaknesses, like any good player would. There is also Robert and Jennifer Ramsey (Kurt Russell and Emmy Rossum). They are father and daughter with your typical relationship-he is too overprotective; she is trying to pull away. Jennifer’s secret fiancé, Christian (Mike Vogel), has accompanied them on their trip. Maggie James (Jacinda Barrett) and her son Conor breakdown Dylan’s emotional barrier once he agrees to help them escape. Mia Maestro (of Alias fame), Kevin Dillon, and Richard Dreyfuss round out the group who come together.
It doesn’t take long for the boat to be overturned by the “rogue wave”. The captain (Andre Braugher) instructs everybody to stay in the ballroom and stay calm. Those who go against his wishes feel that they have a better chance by trying to make it the top. Falling elevators and ship engines, crawling through air conditioning ducts, and avoiding flash fires are just some of the things that they must face in order to survive. Some are lost along the way. Others must sacrifice themselves in order to save the ones they love.
The movie is a remake of the 1972 original. It was campy then, it’s campy now. But that is the fun of the film. You know and the film knows it’s not going to answer any of life’s biggest questions. It is here to entertain and make your heart race between the action sequences and the romances. In this day of CGI, effects can go either way with their authenticity. In Poseidon, it’s both. The boat looks amazing when the wave begins to roll it over. But other effects such as the falling engine looked straight out of a cartoon. The cast proves that even though they may not be A-list (come on Josh Lucas!); they deserve and soon may be.
Kevin Dillon, best known these days as Johnny Drama from HBO’s Entourage, proves again why he is the lesser known of the Dillon brothers. His character is selfish, arrogant, and just plain annoying. He is there for you to hate him but you can’t help but groan every time he utters a line.
More than a popcorn movie, Poseidon gives us action with a capital A, a story, and characters that has us rooting for them to make it out alive.
Report Card:
Story-C
Acting-B
Visuals-B
Originality/Innovation-B
Enjoyability Grade–B+
Overall Grade-B
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