The Wave

Disaster films often use rolling events ("Here comes the next tornado!  Oh no an aftershock!  We're leaving the eye of the storm!") to continue creating adversity for the protagonists.  Those that don't have to decide where in the film to place the disaster.  Norwegian documentary The Wave uses half the film for pre-disaster exposition and explanation; of course the hero of this rock slide / tidal wave story is a geologist at his last day on the job monitoring the mountain, before leaving with his wife and kids for the city.  And of course only he knows the gravity of the danger.  Eventually tension does build, and the immediate build-up to and aftermath of the wave is intense.  Then the film has to switch into Action Man rescue mode, with unfortunately typical plot cliches.  I do appreciate the strength written into his wife's character as she uses all her strength to protect her family as well.  Overall it was a good story, worthy of a cinema experience.

The Wave

2015, 105 minutes, directed by Roar Uthaug

disaster, action, Norwegian, subtitled