"The Poseidon Adventure" (1972) and the remake "Poseidon," in theaters now, epitomize the disaster film genre: a story line that hinges on characters fighting to survive a tidal wave of relentless mayhem and terror, with a few heroic survivors making it to the final credits.

Associated Press/Warner Bros. Jacinda Barrett, Jimmy Bennett and Josh Lucas try to survive in a capsized ship in "Poseidon: The IMAX Experience." 'Poseidon' Rating: PG-13 for intense violence and frightening images. Starring: Josh Lucas, Kurt Russell, Richard Dreyfuss, Jacinda Barrett. Director: Wolfgang Petersen. Movie Review: Fun flows but reality ebbs in new 'Poseidon' Old 'Poseidon' director feared critical dunking Post-Gazette Family Film Guide review of 'Poseidon' 'Poseidon' Web site

"Poseidon: The IMAX Experience" is the digitally remastered large-screen IMAX version of the remake that opened over the weekend. It's playing at the Cinemark IMAX theater at Pittsburgh Mills.

Director Wolfgang Petersen is a veteran of these kinds of terror-on-the-high-seas movies ("The Perfect Storm," "Das Boot"). In the 21st century, he had the technology to re-do the original concept with bigger, badder effects.

"Poseidon: The IMAX Experience" is a wilder ride than the original. The old '70s disaster movie formula translates effectively into the big picture, big noise of an IMAX movie.

A cruise ship's New Year's Eve celebration goes horribly awry when a rogue wave capsizes the vessel. After a few minutes of dancing and celebrating, the film turns into 90-some minutes of nonstop death and destruction, with huge explosions, fires and water rushing in everywhere. As in the original, most of the cast and extras are picked off in the early minutes of "Poseidon." The rest of the film follows the heroics of a small group that tries to escape, instead of waiting in the sealed-in ballroom for the inevitable.

The movie credits list more stunt people than actors, and here it's the stunts and effects that are the stars. The spectacle is kicked up several notches in IMAX. The groaning shipwreck and screaming passengers are rendered in bone-rattling Surround Sound.

The most spectacular effects -- the giant wave rolling in, the ship rolling over, water rushing through claustrophobic passageways and the underwater escape sequences -- play well in the large-screen format. The small details -- pathetic bits of New Year's decorations festooned in the wreckage -- also have a bigger impact.

"Poseidon" isn't the best use of IMAX or the best disaster thriller ever made -- or remade. But those in the market for some mindless action/adventure may as well plunk down a few dollars more for the IMAX version.