Underrated? Yes. But in all honesty, I think it sooner gets the title "most unnecessarily hated movie ever".
Because it essentially got crapped on and because people are such narrow-minded sheep, it got almost everyone against it. I wish people would open their eyes, wipe their mind from other people's false prefabricated opinions, and judge for themselves.
It seems like people would only put this movie on to act like it's a cheese-fest or a laugh-fest when you're drunk.
I've actually enjoyed this movie over and over and it's up there with the most praised sci-fi movies and series.
I know this movie has a cult-following, but it still gets underrated and hated.
What's also a shame is that the extended version is still not out, at least on BD, and it should just have a great BD-release with all cuts.
This film is a beautiful piece of creativity and fantasy and it doesn't deserved to be treated as a flop, still today, nearing 20 years.
Speaking of which, I hope one of its anniversaries will rejuvenate its worth and life.
I hope the general rating could be cranked up to at least a 7 or so.
I'm not saying this movie would be like an 8 to a 10, but a 5.9?
That's just laughable, cause it would have been at least a 6.5, if not more, if there wasn't such blatant hate for it.
Also, this isn't an outcry for everyone to start rating it 10s, not at all.
Again, be fair about it, and don't let all the negativity about it ever since its production affect your personal view on it.
I'm not afraid to say I loved it, and I'm not one who's easily impressed.
I'm just someone who has a neutral view on things. I'm not going to compare this to "The Dark Knight" or "The Shawshank Redemption". That's not even possible.
Just take it for what it is, without thinking "Oh, this movie is probably crap cause everyone says so." and laugh while you're watching it cause that's your mindset.
That's just the thing that's ridiculous about the whole negativity-issue here.

Another hugely underrated movie from the same time, which has really nice cinematography in parts just like Waterworld does, is Cutthroat Island (1995). Actually not many people even know about this film at all, at least everyone has heard of Waterworld even if they dislike it.

It really wasn't that badITA with the OP. I think the problem was that the budget got really out of control and it was leaked to the press. Also, it just seemed like such a star vehicle/ego trip for Kevin Costner, who was just too big a star for his own good by this point. People were ready to hate him for a change.

Count me in as another fan of this movie. I enjoyed it then and am watching it again now. Love the post apocalyptic scenario with a decent story. Not the greatest movie, but definitely underrated.

I like it too. A solid film.
"Is that an iceberg?"

There was a guy who wanted to work in the Hollywood movie business (can't remember his name). He was turned down. He then set about being a reviewer of movies and people for some reason took to his reviews (he enjoyed putting certain proposed blockbusters down). Waterworld was one of those movies he reviewed, also Batman and Robin. He killed them before they even had a chance to be seen by the public. Now some people might say how is that possible, yet you would be surprised how many people will not view a movie if it has been given a bad review.
I had a friend who was bought this movie as a gift one Xmas. He told me that he'd heard it was rubbish. I told him I liked it and he should at least give it a viewing. He returned it without even watching the tape (VHS).
You are entitled to my opinion, whether you want it or not!!

I think it was bashed on purpose. By who, can't say. But the rating just can't possibly be THAT low.

I watched it on HBO last night and have seen some, most or all of it on TV multiple times. Generally agree it's not one of the very best of the genre, but I'd call it a solid "good" and I enjoy it. Hopper's always a good villain and I like the bonding between Costner and the kid. I've always liked the scene where Costner confronts Hopper and saves her after dropping the flare down the hole. You could certainly make a list of faults and it's not an all-time fave for me, but overall, I definitely like it.

The movie is fun but not a quality film. I can't get over how much it blatantly copies the Mad Max movies - right down to details that make no sense in a water environment. It also has too many moments that pander to the lowest common denominator. It can certainly be enjoyed for what it is, but an Oscar?

Well, maybe it is because people can't relax their critical mind and just appreciate a good action movie. I love this movie.

Wouldn't say that is the MOST underrated movie of all but it's definitely up there in top ten. This is a great movie and it's a shame I didn't get to see it in the big screen! Recommended for all the family!

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this is how i felt after seeing it in the 90's.. it was considered a joke of a film, so i always thought i was alone.

I love this movie and watch it every 1-2 years and I just love to leave our boring world into a fantastical waterworld.
No matter what the hate is, even if by myself.

Haha I grew up loving Waterworld, never knowing of all the hate people had for the film. In my childhood world this was the first film that topped Star Wars! I still don't understand why people hate it so intensely but I guess I'm biassed as hell!

Correct that statement that KC snubbed Hollywood. That is not the truth. No one works harder at a project than Kevin Costner. He won Oscars and Golden Globes and deserved them. Sorry about the preaching, I cannot even begin to repeat the line you rattled off about yada yada yada. You got my opinion. Period.

I personally believe it's envy. Keven Costner wowed everyone with "Dances with Wolves" winning a box of oscars and other awards. He snubbed Hollywood by trying to do it again by himself so they all thumbed their noses at him. They seemed to do the same thing to Mel Gibson because of "Braveheart".
ps. I'm no film expert and this is just an opinion. So others reading this please spare me the condescending, elitist, snotty responses full of arcane minutia. I'm just curious as to what others think.
BREAKING NEWS: Experts predict 7 billion people will die in the next 100 years! Doctors baffled!

Because Waterworld is one of the worst movies ever made. The acting, the dialogue, the special effects, ug! Everything in the movie was just terrible.

I love movies. And I think that this movie is really great. First time I saw it, I couldn't understand the plot, but on my second view I decided that this was going to be my favorite movie.
My big dream in life is to see Waterworld 2.

I watched it for the first time about 10 years after its release, and I wondered, "WTH? Why didn't I watch this earlier?" It was definitely due to bad press/word-of-mouth at and following the time of its release.
When I'm in the mood for a good post-apocalyptic film, I think of this one, Mad Max/Road Warrior, and very few others as the perfect ones to fulfill my current need. I Am Legend and 28 Days are my favorite new-age apocalyptic sagas.
Waterworld is a definite, solid installment in doomsday theater. Thought it should at least be a 6.5 or 7 out of 10 stars.

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Duly noted. Great film. Not fantastic, but most definitely not the pile of drivel that most critics and their ilk made it out to be.

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I never did understand why it was panned so hard. I think it was because the budget at the time was so huge that expectations were high. It's one of those movies that I'll watch any time it comes on t.v. I don't care what anyone says - it's a good film!