This is proof positive that all the special effects in the world can't save a movie without interesting character development. "Poseidon" updates Irwin Allen's disaster movie, giving it a high-gloss sheen, but eschews much of the campy dialogue and silly-but-endearing characters that made the original such a goofy classic. Those same elements are a large part of what makes the original "Poseidon Adventure" so fun. Without a doubt, this remake is a technological triumph. The sequence in which a tidal wave capsizes the ocean liner of the title is more convincing than anything in James Cameron's "Titanic," and equally impressive is the spectacular set-design. But while the special effects of the original may look a bit quaint today, it genuinely made us care about the fates of its cast members, no matter how silly they seemed. This one sets up all-too-brief intros to each character before plunging into their well-executed, but emotionally vapid, escape. Despite some good performances, you just don't care who lives or dies. "Poseidon" might play better on home video (especially with a bitchin' system) than it did in theaters, when you're expectations aren't quite so high, but for the most part, it's a movie where your admiration of its craftsmanship overwhelms anything else it has to offer. Available from Warner Home video in both a single disc & 2-disc special edition.