Hatred can be blinding.

Rating: 10/10 (7 February 2019)

Whilst it is possible I overlooked some issues because of what an emotional powerhouse this movie was, I do think some of the one star reviews writers' rage blinded them to the point where they did not even take in the numerous fantastic moments and aspects this movie has to offer.
Most of all I'd like to point out that, unlike some haters claim, this movie definitely is not just a family screaming each others' names. There are countless beautifully written, shot and acted moments of humanity in a devistating situation that you shouldn't miss out on. Some of my personal favourites being when the just reunited mother and son debate whether they should climb a tree before a possible third wave kills them or to go try locate the screaming young child they hear. And later when they all sit up in the tree that little 3-year old boy reaching out to touch the mother in what I interpretted as his need to feel a mother's touch, even if she's not his, as well as to comfort the woman, in the lonely, scary and traumatizing situation.
And personally, I don't understand where here people see wooden acting. It's all very fine and I was actually really impressed with the child acting. The threr pre-pubescent actors of Daniel, Thomas and Simon do a great job, they're rare among their peers. Tom Holland, too
There's no cgi here, it's all models and tons of real water and practical effects which in combination with the acting and the way evefything was shot and edited truly makes you feel like you're there with them.
Yes, it's awkward that they kind of "white-washed" this story. But to me it seems like they did it mainly to enable the movie to be in english language and to cast huge stars. In order to appeal to as wide an audience as possible for max profits, but perhaps also because a story like this needs to get a wide audience. When you're safe and sound in your little corner of the world it's easy to forget these disasters and impossible to really understand what the victims go through when you only read news articles. After this movie you're not likely to forget.
There's no need to get offended for the real life family, as they were deeply involved in the screenwriting and talking with the actors, and have said they're proud of this movie, and do not care about skin colour. As for all the people who suffered worse than this family...Sure their stories deserve to be told in a movie format. Someday they might be if they want to share in the first place. But why should this story be any less worthy of tellng and watching just because they were wealthy and lucky? They are just as much human and went through much of the same pain and trauma as anyone else. This is a story about and for human beings, not about or for any specific race or class status.
Frankly, I didn't even really notice how priviliged they were. Because it was not at all important to me. All I saw was a loving family violently and suddenly torn apart without any warning and then desperately trying to reunite, and having lost family members myself I didn't care how they travelled back home as long as they did.
This movie is so intense and authentic feeling that any worse story told in this particular film might have been too much to sit through. Worse ones need a lighter/different approach. And one more time: Why should this family's story be any less worth telling? It is also casting light on essential parts of any other that did not end so soon or well.
This movie is very realistic, immensely powerful, has fantastic visual and sound effects, beautiful moments and great actors. I see no reason to not watch this. But do sit down with a pack of tissues and don't show this to young children. This is deeply upsetting and disturbing even for most mature audiences. I would say anyone under 13-ish is absolutely too young. Would recommend age 15 or older.