The Sea God is at it again. No, I am not speaking of the Greek god Poseidon, but of director Wolfgang Petersen who gave us seafaring extravaganzas such as Das Boot and The Perfect Storm. The new film, Poseidon, a remake of the 1972 film based on Paul Gallico's bestselling novel, should have been an easy feat for Petersen. The result, however, is rather underwhelming.
It's New Year's Eve and the passengers on the luxurious ocean-liner Poseidon are in for a shock. Dylan Johns (Lucas) is a charming professional gambler who is rather a loner. Robert Ramsey (Russell) is an ex-New York mayor who is rather old-fashioned, especially when it comes to his daughter Jennifer (Rossum) and her boyfriend Christian (Vogel). Suicidal architect Richard Nelson (Dreyfuss) just broke up with his longtime companion. Single mother Maggie James (Barrett) and her son Connor (Bennett) are having a grand time on the ship. Stowaway Elena Gonzalez (Maestro) is on her way to see her sick brother, thanks to the help of cruise employee Marco Valentin (Rodriguez).
On the brink of the New Year, a rogue wave hits the Poseidon and turns it upside down. Captain Bradford (Braugher) ensures the surviving passengers they are safe and should sit tight and wait for rescuers. Dylan and the others are not convinced. They decide to find their own way out through the bowel of the ship. As the ship starts to sink, it's a race against time to save themselves.
The cast is adequate when you consider the genre. Lucas (Glory Road) handles the conflicted but heroic Dylan with intensity, but there's always this pained look on his face, as if the director keeps telling him, "Now, look distressed." Russell (Sky High) is an old pro. His curmudgeon of an ex-mayor is one of the more-rounded characters in the cast. Dreyfuss (Silver City) doesn't really have much to do. His early, pre-disaster scenes are his strongest dramatically.
Barrett (Ladder 49) is very endearing as Maggie and Bennett (Firewall) is fine as her son. Rossum (Phantom of the Opera) is adorable as Russell's rebellious daughter, but Vogel (Rumor Has It) is rather bland as her fiance. Maestro (Deepwater) is sympathetic as the sweet stowaway and Rodriguez (Six Feet Under) has a minor but good role as the doomed waiter. Rounding out the cast is Braugher (Thief) as the confident Captain Bradford and Dillon (Out for Blood) as the cocky Lucky Larry, both too minor to make any significant impression.
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