History YMMV / Waterworld

** Also, everyone knows the movie had astronomical budget overruns but blame them on Kevin Costner's ego leading to stuff like the infamous "digital hairline restoration" rumor. In reality, the biggest factor in the budget overruns was the gigantic set for the Atoll being sunk by a raging storm. That single, completely random event cost ''60 million dollars'' (or third of the total budget) due to a combination of reshoots, logistical problems along the way and the raw cost of building a second set for the Atoll from a scratch[[note]]and making it identical to the first one, to match existing footage (and not force additional reshoots)[[/note]].

* HilariousInHindsight: It's kinda amusing that Creator/JackBlack and Creator/DennisHopper were in the same film, seeing as how in ''Film/SuperMarioBros1993'', Dennis Hopper played Koopa, also known as Bowser, a role Jack Black himself would take in ''Film/TheSuperMarioBrosMovie''.

* {{Padding}}: The film has a lot of scenes that could've been removed or shortened, such as all the sailing montages (seeing as everything is covered in water there's not even [[SceneryPorn nice scenery to justify it]]). The film's middle section in particular suffers from this. The main story itself is quite a simple one but it's unnecessarily stretched out over nearly ''three hours'', to the film's detriment. Ironically, what hit the cutting floor were various small scenes dedicated to world-building, but sequences of nothing in particular made it to the final production.

* VindicatedByHistory: In TheNineties and the TurnOfTheMilleniium, the film was seen as a poster child for overhyped and overbudget movies. However, its since developed a CultClassic status and people have looked back and found the movie to be SoOkayItsAverage or even seen as somewhat influential in its OceanPunk setting - even WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic actually pointed out there's a lot of redeeming qualities about the movie.

* VindicatedByHistory: In TheNineties and the TurnOfTheMillenniium, the film was seen as a poster child for overhyped and overbudget movies. However, its since developed a CultClassic status and people have looked back and found the movie to be SoOkayItsAverage or even seen as somewhat influential in its OceanPunk setting - even WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic actually pointed out there's a lot of redeeming qualities about the movie.

* PresumedFlop: The film is remembered as a massive flop that critics hated and ruined Creator/KevinCostner's career (or at the very least, severely stalled it). However, its score on Website/RottenTomatoes is 42% (which is not great, but is certainly not abject hatred), and it made $264M on a $175M budget. While that is not a stellar box office take for a movie of its budget, its reputation as a failure comes more from the constant stories of its TroubledProduction than anything else.

** Also, everyone knows the movie had astronomical budget overruns but blame them on Kevin Costner's ego leading to stuff like the infamous "digital hairline restoration". In reality, the biggest factor in the budget overruns was the gigantic set for the Atoll being sunk by a raging storm. That single, completely random event cost ''60 million dollars'' (or third of the total budget) due to a combination of reshoots, logistical problems along the way and the raw cost of building a second set for the Atoll from a scratch[[note]]and making it identical to the first one, to match existing footage (and not force additional reshoots)[[/note]].

** This film was one of the poster boys for TroubledProduction and BoxOfficeBomb. While the bit TroubledProduction is true, its status as a bomb was only domestic - internationally? It made back its entire budget and turned profit. Back in TheNineties, this wasn't considered in its numbers as much as it is today.
** Also, everyone knows the movie had TroubledProduction, but they follow the reviewers with gossips about ego issues of Costner and his fall-out with Kevin Reynolds. What actually happend was the gigantic set for the Atoll being sunk by raging storm. That single, completely random event cost ''60 million dollars'' (or third of the total budget) due to combination of overtime in filming, logistical problems along the way and the raw cost of building second set for the Atoll from a scratch[[note]]and making it identical to the first one, to match existing footage (and not force additional reshoots)[[/note]].

* CultClassic: The film has always had its defenders and fans, but today it borders on VindicatedByHistory: over the years the shadows of its TroubledProduction have faded, and CriticalBacklash has led to new audiences wondering what all the hate is about. The release of the extended cut that restores a lot of the worldbuilding and storytelling left on the cutting room floor hasn't hurt either. The film also has a following in the design community as a rare take on TheApunkalypse that ''doesn't'' involve sandy wastelands and dune buggies.

* WhatAnIdiot:
** Your world has been completely submerged in water, and you've found a man who can breathe underwater and has various other aquatic abilities. Do you A) make use of these talents or B) try to kill him for the horrible crime of having gills? In Waterworld, the answer is B.
*** This one is actually addressed in the extended cut. The elders are simply afraid they might lose their position of power by disturbing the existing status quo. To stay in charge, they incite the other people in the atoll against the Mariner, even if most of the atollers are perfectly aware how useful he is due to both being a mutant ''and'' his potential knowledge. They also want to [[WouldHurtAChild get rid of Enola]], as she attracts the Smokers' attention. Long story short - the atoll is led by a group of paranoid cowards that still hold enough esteem to trump reason.
** One that got noted by WebVideo/TheNostalgiaCritic: After escaping the smokers, the Mariner and his new friend reach a place where they think dry land may be. Do you A) use your equipment and ride around to make sure Deacon isn't on your tail, or B) leave Enola on the boat while you go exploring? They chose B), and the next time Enola is seen, Deacon and the Smokers have caught up and captured her.
** Who the hell doesn't learn how to swim in ''Waterworld''? You didn't think that might be a useful life skill in this setting?
*** Arguably, Enola might have not gotten the chance to learn to swim due to being an orphaned girl. Still, there should have been a grown adult to teach her before.
** Deacon and two of his mooks all rush at Enola from different directions, only to crash into each other and explode when she gets rescued right in front of them. Except that part would have happened whether she got rescued or not (possibly justified in their becoming so focused on Enola and the Mariner that they become tunnel-visioned and forget to pay attention to their surroundings).

** The [[UsefulNotes/SuperNintendoEntertainmentSystem SNES]] and UsefulNotes/VirtualBoy games based on the film were seen as pretty bad, especially the latter (it's noteworthy for being the only movie-based game/American game on the short-lived system).

* {{Padding}}: The film has a lot of scenes that could've been removed or shortened, such as all the sailing montages (seeing as everything is covered in water there's not even [[SceneryPorn nice scenery to justify it]]). The film's middle section in particular suffers from this; the entire sequence of the protagonists' encounter with the crazy sailor takes up a lot of time but adds little to the plot or worldbuilding. The main story itself is quite a simple one but it's unnecessarily stretched out over nearly ''three hours'', to the film's detriment.

* EndingAversion: The most maligned parts of the movie come from The Mariner, Enola, and Helen at sea, while the Smokers assault on the Atoll had enough action and suspense that it would have made a good climax for a short film.

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5YoFv09uQ&fmt=18 Diving]] is a perfect example of an amazing ambient track on this OST.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sp7xqhunH88&fmt=18 Mission Theme 1]] and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SA062Rc5tmQ&fmt=18 Mission Theme 3]]

* HamAndCheese: Depending on your opinion of the movie, Dennis Hopper may qualify (on the "cheese" part, anyway; Hopper is definitely ChewingTheScenery either way).

* CompleteMonster: [[DarkMessiah The Deacon]] is the [[WastelandWarlord leader]] of the Smokers who pillage and destroys atoll villages in search of the Dryland. Leading an assault on a atoll village, the Deacon has his men [[RapePillageAndBurn massacre the villagers]] in order to scavenge it and find the map, leaving no one alive, including [[WouldHurtAChild children]]. The Deacon interrogates two captives in search of the map, promising to spare one of them should they give him the info he needs, only to [[ILied go back on his word]] and kill both of them anyway. The Deacon soon sets up a trap using the corpses of the villagers as puppets to lure the heroes into a ambush, so he can capture the girl in possession of the map to Dryland.

* CompleteMonster: [[DarkMessiah The Deacon]] is the [[WastelandWarlord leader]] of of the Smokers who pillage and destroys atoll villages in search of the Dryland. Leading an assault on a atoll village, the Deacon has his men [[RapePillageAndBurn massacre the villagers]] in order to scavenge it and find the map, leaving no one alive, including [[WouldHurtAChild children]]. The Deacon interrogates two captives in search of the map, promising to spare one of them should they give him the info he needs, only to [[ILied go back on his word]] and kill both of them anyway. The Deacon soon sets up a trap using the corpses of the villagers as puppets to lure the heroes into a ambush, so he can capture the girl in possession of the map to Dryland.

* TheScrappy: Enola is really annoying, which makes the scene where she gets slapped in the face by Deacon really satisfying.

* TakeThatScrappy: The Deacon slaps Enola. In another scene, Mariner throws her in the ocean and she ''can't swim''. Please, oh God, leave her...

* BellisariosMaxim: There are two takes on the film: either spend hours pondering how all of this works and why it couldn't, ''or'' just relaxing and enjoying the spectacle.

* PresumedFlop: The film is remembered as a massive flop that critics hated and ruined Creator/KevinCostner's career (or at the very least, severely stalled it). However, its score on Webiste/RottenTomatoes is 42% (which is not great, but is certainly not abject hatred), and it made $264M on a $175M budget. While that is not a stellar box office take for a movie of its budget, its reputation as a failure comes more from the constant stories of its TroubledProduction than anything else.

* CultClassic: The film has always had its defenders and fans, but today it borders on VindicatedByHistory: over the years the shadows of its TroubledProduction have faded, and CriticalBacklash has led to new audiences wondering what all the hate is about. The release of the extended cut that restores a lot of the worldbuilding and storytelling left on the cutting room floor hasn't hurt either. The film also has a following in the design community as a take on TheApunkalypse that ''doesn't'' involve sandy wastelands and dune buggies.

* HamAndCheese: Depending on your opinion of the movie, Dennis Hopper may qualify.