Cast: Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Emma Rossum, Mike Vogel, Mia Maestro, Freddy Rodríguez, Jacinda Barrett, Jimmy Bennett and Richard Dreyfuss
Director: Wolfgang Petersen
Rankings **1/2

"Poseidon" is not "Titanic".

After "Troy" tragedy, director Wolfgang Petersen tries to salvage his image with "Poseidon", a screen adaptation of Paul Gallico's novel of the same name, but the poor execution of the story mars his efforts.

What goes against the film is the ineffective picturisation of the catastrophic impacts of the rouge waves. And the pre-disaster scenes are absolutely unconvincing.

Taste this - the captain of the ship suddenly feels something unusual in the atmosphere and within a fraction of second he detects freakish ocean waves raging towards the ship while the guests are gearing up for New Year celebrations.

The film becomes interesting only after the nine survivors, led by gambler-cum-former navy chap Dylan (Josh Lucas), decide to leave the ballroom. They frantically look for an exit hidden in the deepest bowels of the ship, now on the top. The rest of the passengers decide to wait for the rescue team as suggested by the captain.

Dylan is joined by Robert Ramsey (Kurt Russell) who is looking for his daughter Jennifer (Emma Rossum) and her fiancé Christian (Mike Vogel).

Others who trail them courageously are Elena (Mia Maestro), a waiter (Freddy Rodríguez), single mother Maggie (Jacinda Barrett), her son Connor (Jimmy Bennett) and an architect Richard (Richard Dreyfuss).

Out of nine, only six manages to beat the death. And unlike "Titanic", "Poseidon" doesn't provide any backgrounder for the key passengers.

Good performances by the key players and the special effects are the high points of the film.

Good for time pass.