ReviewColumn's rating :

The genre of water based disaster-cum-action flicks were probably defined way back when Titanic was produced and broke the charts as one of the most successful films ever. Since then, there have been a few similar flicks with roughly the same storyline, and I'm afraid Poseidon (2006) is perhaps wannabe imitation of these movies, being a film remake of a movie of the identical name back in 1972.

The plot line of Poseidon is stereotypical. A number of guests are aboard the luxurious ocean liner, the S.S Poseidon on a transatlantic crossing during New Year's eve. As the story builds around a number of characters' background and stories during their first day on board the cruise, disaster strikes upon the ship, causing a crisis to all the passengers and crew on board. The story then focuses on a small group of survivors who work together to escape certain death.

The group of survivors who eventually band together includes a wide range of different characters. Robert Ramsey(Kurt Russell) is the doubtful father of Jennifer Ramsey(Emmy Rossum) who is hoping to be engaged to her boyfriend, Christian(Mike Vogel). Elena(Mia Maestro) is a stowaway of her friend Valentin(Freddy Rodriguez) who works as a waiter in the dining room of the ship. 9 year old Conner James(Jimmy Bennett) is the young son of Jacinda Barrett (Maggie James), Dylan(Josh Lucas) is a professional gambler on board along with Nelson(Richard Dreyfuss), a homosexual architect. The list continues on, including the famous singer Stacy Ferguson, better known by her stage name "Fergie", playing a minor character of the story.

Within the movie, the first half an hour or so is dedicated to exploring the histories and tensions between each and every character, introducing each of them to the audience in a different way, before moving on to the crux of the story. A gigantic rogue wave is spotted by a passenger heading straight at the ship, and any evasive action is futile. The result is that the ship is horribly overturned, capsizing the ship, dealing a significant damage to it, throwing the guests all into panic.

One of the few things which amazed me are the elegant visuals within the movie. As the story began, we are given our few glimpses of the S.S. Poseidon, a luxury cruise liner indeed. Beautifully crafted sets modeled after rooms within of the renowned Queen Mary 2, as well as computer generated images of the ship's destruction and demise creates an extremely life-like image for the movie. I personally can say that their huge $160 million budget was well spent this sector, given how the movie was a nominee for an Academy award for visual effects.

With a stale plot, an overused genre and mediocre acting, Poseidon (2006) is not a movie one would go expecting something fresh and appealing. The only spark of light which shines within this movie would be the impressive visuals, however, I am afraid that graphics alone, do not make a good movie.

Click here to buy this DVD
Rate this movie, give us your rating:
(1 votes, average: 2 out of 5)
 Loading ...

Buy related products from eBay:

US $8.23 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 8:29:13 PST Buy It Now for only: US $8.23 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $11.07 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 9:50:28 PST Buy It Now for only: US $11.07 Buy it now | Add to watch list

US $10.51 End Date: Wednesday Jan-07-2009 12:22:26 PST Buy It Now for only: US $10.51 Buy it now | Add to watch list