On New Year’s Eve, the luxury ocean liner Poseidon capsizes after being swamped by a rogue wave. The survivors are left to fight for their lives as they attempt to escape the sinking ship.
Wolfgang Petersen first gained international acclaim with his 1981 film “Das Boot,” a tense World War II submarine drama that brought him to the attention of American viewers. He transitioned into Hollywood with 1984’s “The NeverEnding Story,” which set the stage for a career filled with popular action-thrillers that resonated with both critics and moviegoers. In 2006, Petersen took on “Poseidon,” a modern retelling of the 1972 disaster classic, updating its plot, characters, and special effects for contemporary audiences. Although “Poseidon” earned $60.7 million in the U.S. and Canada and $121 million globally, the film’s hefty budget and promotional expenses led to significant losses for Warner Bros., estimated between $70 and $80 million.
Despite its commercial shortcomings, “Poseidon” stands as a testament to Petersen’s ability to orchestrate large-scale, ambitious productions. Water—an element central to much of Petersen’s work, from the cramped quarters of “Das Boot” to the turbulent seas of “The Perfect Storm”—serves as the driving force in “Poseidon,” where the entire narrative is set aboard an opulent ocean liner. The film begins on New Year’s Eve, as the Poseidon sets out across the Atlantic. When a gigantic rogue wave capsizes the ship at midnight, the catastrophe is immediate: many are killed, while some are stranded in the lavish grand ballroom. Captain Michael Bradford (Andre Braugher) tries to allay fears by assuring survivors that help is on the way. However, Dylan Jones (Josh Lucas) doubts rescue will come in time and decides their only hope is to navigate through the sinking ship toward the hull. He persuades several others to join him, and together they embark on a dangerous journey, facing new threats as the vessel sinks deeper with every passing second.
While “Poseidon” draws its central premise from the 1972 original, Petersen’s adaptation brings a modern sensibility, focusing more on action and pace than on character backstory. The cast—including Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Josh Lucas, Emmy Rossum, and Jacinda Barrett—is left to embody their roles with minimal exposition, allowing the audience to connect through the actors’ performances rather than detailed histories. The suspense comes from the relentless pace—viewers are often unsure who will survive, with the exception of Kevin Dillon’s self-serving character, whose demise feels foregone.
The film’s visuals, particularly the depiction of the massive wave overturning the ship, were considered cutting-edge at the time. Petersen’s direction maintains tension and unpredictability, hallmarks of the genre pioneered by Irwin Allen, known for classics like “The Poseidon Adventure,” “The Towering Inferno,” and “When Time Ran Out.” Although disaster movies had lost their luster by the 1980s, they returned to prominence with blockbuster hits from directors like Roland Emmerich. Petersen’s “Poseidon” sought to capitalize on this revival, but the film’s disappointing box office run effectively marked the end of his career in Hollywood.
Even so, a modern rewatch reveals that “Poseidon,” though formulaic at times, is an entertaining showcase of Petersen’s directorial skills. While it may not have succeeded financially upon release, it remains a noteworthy entry in both his filmography and the disaster genre—one that may yet find greater appreciation with time.
Available on 4K Ultra HD August 12th
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