Hit – Starring Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfus, Emmy Rossum, Mike Vogel, Jacinda Barrett, Jimmy Bennett, Kevin Dillon, Stacy “Fergie” Ferguson
On New Year’s Eve, the “Poseidon” – a luxury ocean liner, capsizes after being swallowed by a rogue tidal wave. The survivors are left to fight for their life as they attempt to escape the sinking ship.
This movie is different from the original in a few different ways. First, the original was more character driven. You actually really cared about the characters and the sacrifices they made in order to survive. The remake starring Josh Lucas is more action driven. You don’t really care about the characters but you do want them to get out of sticky situations- because they make you feel like you are part of the action which tends to make the audience nervous. Second, the original featured talented actors and actresses such as Gene Hackman, Red Buttons, Shelley Winters, and the list goes on. The remake features seasoned actors such as Richard Dreyfus, and Kurt Russell. Josh Lucas (not yet a seasoned actor) provides an interesting co-leader of the group. But the supporting cast is where the rest of the film falls short. The other characters provide fluff and no real interesting backstory to make the audience care about them. Third, the original featured an escape route that went opposite of the bow(?) of the boat. With the survivors attempting to breakthrough 1 inch thick steel. The remake has the survivors attempting to exit out of the propeller shaft. This provides an interesting updated exit.
The main character of this movie is simply called “action.” It is this alone that makes the movie a successful remake. Had the action been sub-par then this movie would have sunk. But the special effects and acts of peril make it hard for the audience to catch a breath. Because of this, I have to consider this movie to be a successful remake.
Best Scene: Climbing up the vents.
Biggest difference from the original: No Gene Hackman character that drives the film.
Action
Rated PG-13 for intense prolonged sequences of disaster and peril.
Running Time: 1 hour 39 minutes.
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