Tidal Wave (2009) DVD

Originally titled ‘Haeundae’ and with the tag-line ‘Korea’s first disaster movie’, Tidal Wave begins with the onslaught and devastation of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami, something the movie world hasn’t really broached yet.

The continuing long-term effects are illustrated with a look at a cross-section of society who live and work on the busy tourist attraction, Haeundae beach; money-hungry businessmen threatening the local way of life; a spoilt rich girl getting into trouble; a workaholic scientist with a secret daughter; and a guilt-ridden fisherman, Man-sik.

There are several story strands going on amongst the beautiful backdrop of the Korean coast, but Man-sik and his troubled romance with Yeon-Hee is the main focus, as he feels responsible for her father’s death during the tsunami. So what better way to mix up this societal pressure cooker than dump a load of fast-moving water on it?

This is where the expensive CGI comes in. Tidal Wave is the most expensive Korean film ever made, and it was definitely worth it. The ‘mega-tsunami’ is terrifying, including the warning signs that prefigured the event – panicked animals finding higher ground, the sea suddenly receding, and a looming black mass of water surging towards the bustling beach and city. Once the wave hits the action really gets going – you’ve got sea rescues, precarious electricity lines, trapped children, the lot. Tension is built up effectively as the narrative switches from each desperate situation to the next.

Here at last is a different skew on the tired disaster films that only seem to affect America – a slice of a different culture, some talented new actors, and no skimping on the drama or action. And not being American, there’s less of the sickly sentimental touches. That said, perhaps inevitably the pre-wave section of the film does drag a little, but some of the characters’ quirky personalities are a great source of comic relief, and it does at least ensure that you give a crap when it all goes Pete Tong.