Tsunamis are natural disasters triggered by earthquakes or underwater volcanic eruptions, often leaving victims terrified and catastrophic in their wake. Filmmakers can take advantage of this situation to tell captivating narratives by filming one.
Here are the best films about tsunamis. These movies showcase the fear, heroism, and survival instincts of people in the face of impending destruction.
Poseidon
Poseidon, a 2006 remake of the 1972 classic, stars Kurt Russell alongside an ensemble cast including Sheree North, Richard Dreyfus, and Josh Lucas as passengers aboard SS Poseidon when it is struck by a rouge wave on New Year’s Day and capsized. Focusing on their survival alongside water, fire, and tight spaces, Poseidon offers impressive special effects while creating some intense moments; however, it lacks depth and charm due to the characters who lack personality and depth.
Unfortunately, this film feels like just another disaster movie remake. While its plot may still feature moral lessons and intense action sequences similar to its predecessor’s original story, its pace lacks urgency as events happen quickly without much in between them.
Though the movie does have some redeeming qualities, such as when its ship flips over impressively shot or when its main character scrambles through an overwhelming ventilation shaft filled with flooding water, these scenes do not compensate for its shortcomings in terms of overall entertainment value. Unfortunately, these highlights aren’t enough to save it altogether.
Shelley Winters stands out as an outstanding character actress in “Belle Rosen.” Though her last screen appearance occurred back in 1999, she remains one of the most loved character actresses ever.
Aftershock
Aftershock tells a series of survival stories centered around Nepal’s April 2015 earthquake and tsunami, as witnessed in April. It highlights those compelled to question their loyalties to family, friends, and even strangers in such dire circumstances. No film can fully convey such an expansive event as Aftershock does in its depiction of its terrifying aftermath. From crumbling buildings in downtown Kathmandu all the way up Mount Everest with devastating villages following climbers, families, and locals all trying to stay alive amid its chaotic aftermath.
Aftershock features some captivating scenes and boasts an all-star cast that includes Naomi Watts, Ewan McGregor, and others. Although some over-the-top deaths occur, and its plot can become repetitive at times, Aftershock remains worth viewing.
Although some scenes in Aftershock may be grounded in reality, others have been embellished for dramatic effect. For instance, the San Andreas fault does not create tsunami-sized waves like what was shown in the movie. Though earthquakes on the San Andreas fault can trigger underwater landslides, they don’t cause significant vertical movement of the ocean floor that pushes up water into a tsunami wave. However, the Cascadia subduction zone north of it can create powerful tsunamis. Aftershock not only offers a thrilling disaster movie experience, but it also offers insightful knowledge into the risks posed by nuclear power plants in earthquake-prone regions. Paleontologist Koji Minoura was among those warning TEPCO years prior of potential dangers that might exist at the Fukushima Daiichi plant – something seen in Aftershock as well.
The Perfect Storm
The Perfect Storm chronicles the true story of an incident wherein an Atlantic fishing vessel, Andrea Gail, vanished without a trace during an extreme confluence of weather systems known as “The Perfect Storm” of 1991. Although this film boasts excellent performances by its cast and occasionally captivating plot points, some severe issues impede its overall quality and limit its overall success.
The movie’s main flaw lies in its characters, who lack depth and often appear one-dimensional. This poses a problem when trying to craft relatable heroes that draw in viewers and keep their interest throughout. Another major problem lies with its pacing, as it often feels rushed without taking into account that an audience member needs time and space to process everything happening onscreen.
Even with its flaws, The Perfect Storm remains an enjoyable disaster flick. It features some excellent special effects that give audiences a real-life experience of what it would be like being caught up in such an extreme sea storm, while Wolfgang Petersen directs with an effective style to keep audiences guessing and keep the movie engaging enough for viewers to keep coming back for more. Overall, The Perfect Storm remains worth viewing.
The Hurt Locker
The Hurt Locker is one of the most riveting war movies ever made, featuring an intriguing plot and outstanding performances by its cast. Realism was vital in creating this unforgettable film about the Iraq War; viewers should watch it to understand all aspects of daily military work, such as the mental toll of combat and adrenaline addiction, as well as violence’s lasting impact on individuals and societies alike.
The film takes place in Iraq and follows a bomb-defusing squad deployed to Baghdad, consisting of Specialist Owen Eldridge (Brian Geraghty), Sergeant James (Jeremy Renner), and Sergeant JT Sanborn (Anthony Mackie). These members make frequent patrol rounds around Baghdad in their humvee to respond to patroller reports of suspicious cars or debris with wire sticking out or something fishy being seen by patrols – such as cars parking where they shouldn’t or something fishy being seen by patrollers or patrols who call on them from patrol. Their dangerous work makes them constantly on edge; veterans have praised this film for its accurate portrayal of soldiers under pressure situations in which they find themselves.
The Hurt Locker was both a critical and commercial success, earning multiple awards and nominations, including an Oscar nomination. It marked Kathryn Bigelow’s breakthrough into male-dominated genre films (such as Point Break and Strange Days ). Furthermore, its success inspired discussions about female filmmakers breaking through. Moreover, The Hurt Locker depicts modern warfare vividly, making for a timeless piece.
The Day After
The Day After is one of the most widely recognized made-for-television movies ever shown, depicting American public anxiety about nuclear war during Ronald Reagan’s presidency. It describes what would happen after an all-out atomic attack hit heartland America – Lawrence in Kansas particularly – with over 100 million viewers watching when it first aired in 1983; President Ronald Reagan even attended an advance screening!
The Day After is an unsettling film about Dr. Russell Oakes, a surgeon who survives an initial nuclear blast and its fallout. The rest of its narrative follows Dr. Oakes as he searches for his wife amongst the remnants of a devastated city and encounters other survivors in its desolate landscapes. Images such as disintegrated bodies burn victims, and people fleeing in fear from the blast aftermath are incredibly graphic and haunting in this dark storyline.
Nicholas Meyer worked hard to ensure The Day After was as accurate to real life as possible. He wanted the film to demonstrate the devastating aftermath of a nuclear attack on everyday Americans, not Hollywood disaster movie characters alone. To this end, he hired residents as extras in various scenes and shot in Lawrence instead of a studio, staying in constant communication with both his Executive Producer, Brandon Stoddard, and DOP, Michael Papazian, throughout production.
Meyer took the unusual step of bringing in a psychiatrist to evaluate his script. Believing that depictions of nuclear holocaust could traumatize children, the psychiatrist suggested several edits, including eliminating one scene in which a young girl awakes screaming after experiencing nightmares about such catastrophe.
