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Movies & TV

Tidal Wave

TIDAL WAVE (Mongrel, 2009) D: Je-gyun Yun, w/ Ji-won Ha, Kyung-gu Sol. Rating: NNN DVD package: NNN Rating: NNN


This Korean take on the classic disaster movie formula focuses on characters and delivers some powerful effects sequences.

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Yeon (Ji-won Ha) runs a tiny beachfront diner in Haeundae, Korea’s leading resort, with a fabulous beach, gleaming hotels and a million tourists. She loves Man (Kyung-gu Sol), but he’s too full of beer and guilt to see it. Around them are various relatives, a rich developer and an oceanographer.

They go about their business with lots of comic drunkenness, squabbling and occasional quiet moments. It goes on too long, but writer/director Je-gyun Yun keeps the action inventive and the pace lively. The cast is able, attractive and enthusiastic.

The tone shifts radically when the giant tsunami hits. While the CG isn’t perfect, it’s easily good enough to inspire awe, and the close-ups of characters in peril are believably terrifying.

Tidal Wave is Korea’s biggest-budget movie to date: $16 million, according to one of the producers in the generous, informative and occasionally funny extras package.

EXTRAS Two-part making-of doc, gag reel. Widescreen. Korean, English audio. English, Spanish subtitles.

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