Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Universal Studio – Waterworld ~ bringing movies to real-life action (Part 10)

The Lost World
Resorts World Sentosa
Sentosa Island, Singapore

This is the huge arched that will lead you to 'Waterworld'

There are two subattractions to enjoy in ‘the Lost World’ themed zone of Universal Studios, Singapore; the first is the ‘Jurassic Park’ and the other one is the ‘Waterworld’. Since Jurassic Park was already featured recently, therefore the focus of this post is about ‘ Waterworld’ which brings to life the 1995 movie starred by Kevin Costner (The Mariner) along with Jeanne Tripplehorn (Helen).
This is the facade of the structure. On the left is the entrance.
The place is located just beside Amber Rock Climb and a few walks away from Jurassic Park Rapids Adventure. There are two separate entrances that leads to Jurassic Park and Waterworld and both has its own distinct huge arched that will lead you in two separate attractions. 
We arrived early in the queue and we grab the opportunity to take some pictures.
If Jurassic Park is surrounded with lush greenery, the entrance of Waterworld is like transporting you to a rusted, gloomy yet very interesting sheet-metal facsimile of the film’s desolate atoll surrounded with water (Well, basically no water yet in the entrance but you will soon experienced it inside the open ground). Materials like floaters, bows and arrows, nets and old boats can be seen everywhere as if you were in a post-apocalyptic story where only scattered elements of technology remains.
Bows and arrows were scattered within the vicinity. I don't know if they used it mainly for fishing or for defending their territory too.
Comparing to other zones in the park, it’s like there are only few remnants of the past in this attractions. It’s like only few inhabitants remains, the rest is gone and what was left are these sheets of metals clinging on both sides of the wall. It’s really a complete 360 overturn of scene as you’ve seen no trees around just barren plain area where mottled equipments is everywhere.
Universal Studio Attractions Admission Pass courtesy of our friend Llowel who is working inside Resorts World Sentosa
Just right after we get in, we find time to have some shots around the vicinity first. There are so many visitors around and before you reached the queue line, you need to walk around 100 to 150 meters away. Since we have 3 pieces of ‘Universal Studio Pass’ courtesy of our friend Llowel Baylon who is working with Resorts World Sentosa, the three of us (Balong, Lemwuel and I) don’t need to fall in line as we have a specific areas separate from other goers. 
This is the info of the boat below which was used  in the final scene of the 'Waterworld'
But before we get in, we saw a boat in the center near the entrance which is actually used as props in the movie along with an old jet ski. In addition, we’ve seen 3 mannequins too complete with costumes enclosed in a glass which is as well used in the movie.
Mannequins located in the entrance to the set, used in the movie itself.
Getting inside the place is like bringing you to a huge empty warehouse. The set is immense. You will be amazed how huge the open amphitheater because it can accommodate up to 3,000 spectators. The vicinity is air controlled that lessen the humidity of the area.
Since there were only few guest at that time, we do have the chance to find the best seat inside.
It’s a water filled ground surrounded by ramshackle buildings and walls plus a huge black tip shark carcass in the corner which intrigued me most what’s the purpose of that in the set.  Sticking out from the wall, in the center is a large dock with angled ramps leading toward the water. There are ropes, cables, and various mounted guns here and there and the actors are dressed in dull gray rags and torn up wetsuits milling around. 
This elaborate set of 'Waterworld' awaits you.
Before the action starts, we waited for 5 to 10 minutes for other viewers to come in. You’ll not get bored as few stuntmen were in there to amuse the crowd. There are actors carrying water cannons and expects lots of water squirting. Kids were ecstatic getting wet as they participate the show. If you don’t have any extra shirts with you then better sit a few meters away from where the action is as usually they sprays water to the crowd. It was lots of fun actually, good thing because that day is not that crowded; thus, you can sit whichever area you prefer. 
We waited for few minutes before the show starts but there were lots of actors entertaining the guest.
The setting of the show is the distant future. Although they never mention the exact date in the story but it shows that ice caps have completely melted and the sea level has risen many hundreds of meters covering nearly all the land and so Waterworld is born.
This is where the whole story started. When a stuntman shouted that there is a boat coming.
And there she is, the only actress in the whole drama.
The action starts when  one of the men on the wall shouted that there is a boat approaching and it was ‘Helen’, the only actress on the show who arrives with her speedboat.  She came speeding onto the set, docked and said she’d found ‘the Dryland’. 
However, nasty rivals happened to followed her and found their place.
The entrance of the rivals 'smokers' in the set.
The euphoria doesn’t last that long though, as she was followed by group of other rivals ‘smokers’. They break through the walls and starts shooting the entire place even the crowds. There are explosions and water geysers everywhere. They are ripping the entire place on speed boat and jet skis, lots of fighting, and you can even smell the smoke that engulfed the place. 
They were victorious in capturing Helen. The main villain tried to force her to say where the 'Dryland' is, but she refuse to do so.
After a long battle scene involving many falls of tall walls and scaffolding into water, the battle is over and the invaders are victorious. Helen is captured and the evil lead pirate wants to make her his. He tries to get her to tell him where she found the land, but she won’t do it. 
And here come's the hero!
But the invaders is not victorious enough as a jet ski from the bottom of the lagoon showed up and there’s the hero himself, Kevin Costner look alike. He enters the scene trying to save Helen, bursting through the wall taking out bad guys left and right. The bad guys were trying to catch and shot him but they are not good enough to get hold of him. There are lots of jet ski actions going on and it’s impressive to watch how well they handle the agile machines in such close confines.
Good grip girl!
All actors are very skilled as many jumping, leaping, and tumbling happening but I am so impressed with Helen’s performance. She has a good grip as she has many stunts as many actors does. I like the part when she dangles in a cable from one corner to the other while the hero is fighting hardly with the lead pirate. 
The hero and the villain fighting at the tower.
One highlight of the show is when a loud explosion echoing in the background and a 30 plus feet wingspan plane crash directly in front of the scene that creates a huge splash that amaze the audience. Everybody was shocked and a blast of pyrotechnics took place. 
The 30 meter airplane crashed in front of us and it scares me the most! (ahahahaha!)
It is a great show I may say. I don’t know how many shows per day and how many minutes we stayed in there but it’s an awesome experience. We watched at 2:30pm just right after our tour to Jurassic Park
As what other Hollywood story does, it always end up with a happy ending!
A friend informed us that it was only a 16 minute show but it feels like forever already as it is filled with hardcore action from start to finish. Elaborate productions and the most expensive live performance in the theme park’s history as what they say. Well, the movie was the costliest movie ever made at that time though. As many other Hollywood movies with happy ending, it is a must stop once in Universal Studios, Singapore
The actors....
The choreograph action seems real as they performed close to the audience as possible, close enough to feel the heat of the explosion and breathe the acrid scent of the smoke. Am proud of their jet ski skills, very precise and so properly choreograph. 
The main cast.
I watched the movie way back and very pleased about it, but, to see the live performance is way much better personally.
So there you go, until next time. If you happen to be in Universal Studios, Singapore try to devote 30 minutes of hardcore action pretty sure you will like the act.

Have a great day/night everyone.
 

Enan signing off. Coming up next. Far Far Away Zone.



Cheerrrrrrrrrriiiooosssssssssssssss!


:)
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