The Wave (2015)

Director: Roar Uthaug

Writer: John Kare Raake, Harald Rosenlow-Eeg (Screenplay)

Starring: Kristoffer Joner, Thomas Bo Larsen, Ane Dah Torp, Fridtjov Saheim, Jonas Hoff Oftebro, Laila Goody

Plot: Even though awaited, no-one is really ready when the mountain pass of Åkneset above the scenic narrow Norwegian fjord Geiranger falls out and creates a 85-meter-high violent tsunami. A geologist is one of those caught in the middle of it.

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

Verdict: Best Modern Day Disaster Movie

Story: The Wave starts as we learn that in the past a landslide has happened in Norway causing a tidal wave of destruction, we also learn of the fear that larger and more destructive ones are waiting to happen. With this information we learn that Kristian (Joner) a geologist working in Norway as part of a team trying to predict ad give warnings to anyone in the path of any future disasters.

Where Kristian is an expert he skills are wanted all over the country as he is moving his family wife Idun (Torp) and children to the next part of the country that is in need of preparing. Before leaving his realises that the warning ideas put in place have become no such thing of a warning as he discovers the cables involved could be telling more of the story and there is in fact a risk that could cause one of the most devastating tidal waves in history.

When the landslide happens it causes a wave 80ft high where Kristian must save high daughter Julie and Idun must not only save her son Sondre but the guest in the hotel. The aftermath is a battle to see who has survived and what is left of the beautiful landscapes.

The Wave gives us something Hollywood has forgotten, a simple disaster movie. I say this with all the respect in the world because when it comes to a disaster movie you only need one breath-taking destruction scene and the rest needs to be follow the characters survive either the actual disaster or the aftermath. The story brings us into follow at the most part one family who must reconnect after the disaster as we learn their perils before it. The story drags you in from the start as we watch this family wanting to see where they end up by the end of the film.

Actor Review

Kristoffer Joner: Kristian is the expert geologist that has been working on a system to give proper warnings for anyone in the middle of a potential tidal wave path but when he realises the ideas wouldn’t give anyone a warning he must study any potential disaster that could come. When he figures out the landslide is coming he must find a way to protect his daughter and find his wife in the aftermath. Kristoffer is great in this role being a man that needs to make the right decision and not taking silly chances compared to what we would normally see in a disaster film leading character.

Thomas Bo Larsen: Phillip is one of the guest in the hotel where Idun works and when she can’t find her son he along with his wife Maria stay behind to help find him. Thomas is solid in this role of the over panicky tourist.

Ane Dahl Torp: Idun is the wife of Kristian who accepts moving around the country as long as he is a good father, she works to help the income and her job at the hotel means she has to protect her guests once the tidal waves hits. Ane is great in this role having to do everything she can to keep her son alive.

Fridtjov Saheim: Arvid Ovrebo runs the research centre in which Kristian has worked for, he has to make the final call on any emergency situations which does lead to him clashing with Kristian. Fridtjov is good in this role that has to make the difficult decision but always the right ones.

Support Cast: The Wave has a supporting cast that all do great jobs either before anything happens, during the tidal wave as well as after it as we see the effect is has on them all.

Director Review: Roar Uthaug – Roar gives us a beautifully shot disaster film that follows the easy steps without becoming over the top or silly like many films in the genre.

Action: The Wave has that stunning tidal wave sequence which will have you on the edge for the duration.

Thriller: The Wave keeps you on edge from start to finish as we watch Kristian and his family before, during and after the tidal wave.

Settings: The Wave shows us how the people would be living right next to this disaster zone and how easily they could be affect if anything happened.
Special Effects: The Wave uses amazing effects to create a tidal wave that makes San Andreas look like an asylum movie.

Suggestion: The Wave is a must watch for all disaster fans out there as it truly is outstanding. (Must Watch)

Best Part: The Tidal Wave is fantastically shot.

Worst Part: A few cliché mistakes that all disaster films make.

Oh My God Moment: Tidal Wave.

Believability: While the story is mad up the idea of this happening is a reality.

Chances of Tears: No

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

Similar Too: Dante’s Peak

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 44 Minutes

Tagline:  It was only a matter of time.
Trivia: Sold over 141.000 tickets in Norway on the first weekend of release.

Overall: Stunningly shot film that puts most disaster film to shame.

Rating