Featured Audience Ratings

• Cynthia S

  
  Overwhelming, and emotional, but definitely worth it. Generally when I've heard talk of this movie, it's praise for Ewan and Naomi (who are absolutely sensational), but I think more emphasis should be put on the younger members of the cast...those boys completely, and… More
  Overwhelming, and emotional, but definitely worth it. Generally when I've heard talk of this movie, it's praise for Ewan and Naomi (who are absolutely sensational), but I think more emphasis should be put on the younger members of the cast...those boys completely, and utterly, stole the entire movie. Sooo good, and a miracle if ever I saw one...

• Matthew Samuel M

  
  Sure, it has its flaws, but in the end, it is a great film. The Impossible is intense and powerful, and brought me to the verge of tears. The acting is generally good---excellent, in fact, from the leads--the pacing is perfect, and the length of the film is appropriate. Bravo!

• Dan S

  
  A movie with good intentions that ultimately sells itself short with a simple story of a European family torn apart by the devastating tsunami that ripped through the Southeast Asia area in 2004. While the acting is phenomenal, especially Watts in a well-deserved Oscar nominated turn,… More
  A movie with good intentions that ultimately sells itself short with a simple story of a European family torn apart by the devastating tsunami that ripped through the Southeast Asia area in 2004. While the acting is phenomenal, especially Watts in a well-deserved Oscar nominated turn, the story is predictable and formulaic. The tsunami scenes are incredibly filmed and there are certainly powerful scenes between the family, but the absence of an overarching look at how badly the natives of the land suffered is ultimately bothersome. While it is brought up in passing and definitely realized to some minor degree, it more or less feels like a look at "the vacation from hell" instead of a serious, all-encompassing look at an event that wrecked many native Asians' lives. Not a bad movie by any stretch, as said the acting is great, it is definitely powerful at times, and it has its heart in the right place, but there is never any doubt how this thing is going to end. It is just unfortunate since this could have been a really good movie had it taken risks and been more focused on who this event really impacted.

• Matthew S

  
  In one moment, without warning, over 230,000 people lost their lives to a tsunami in 2004. "The Impossible" viscerally communicates the water's awesome destructive force on the body and the following emotional chaos among survivors who drudge through the landscape… More
  In one moment, without warning, over 230,000 people lost their lives to a tsunami in 2004. "The Impossible" viscerally communicates the water's awesome destructive force on the body and the following emotional chaos among survivors who drudge through the landscape wondering where the water dragged their loved ones or whether it consumed them eternally.

• familiar s

  
  With all due respects to the concerned families, the dramatization of true events wasn't good enough to keep me indulged. The lost-and-found story was hardly any interesting. I just checked & found that my heart is still beating. So yeah, while I have a heart, I wasn't… More
  With all due respects to the concerned families, the dramatization of true events wasn't good enough to keep me indulged. The lost-and-found story was hardly any interesting. I just checked & found that my heart is still beating. So yeah, while I have a heart, I wasn't the least moved by this disastrous emotional drama. As opposed to the execution of the flick, the performances were fine enough.

• Mike S

  
  Chaos and confusion. Tears and tragedy. The lingering sorrow after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which is estimated to have claimed over 230 000 lives and left millions homeless, weighs nearly a decade later still heavy in consciousness. That Sweden, among the international victims,… More
  Chaos and confusion. Tears and tragedy. The lingering sorrow after the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, which is estimated to have claimed over 230 000 lives and left millions homeless, weighs nearly a decade later still heavy in consciousness. That Sweden, among the international victims, was one of the hardest-hit countries, doesn't tear up the emotional wounds any less. Juan Antonio Bayona, who debuted as a director in 2007 with the Spanish frightener <i>The Orphanage</i>, conveys horrors this time of an altogether different, far more unsettling cut. Very realistically we follow a British family (originally Spaniards, whose personal experiences this film is based upon) composed of married couple Maria and Henry and their three sons, Lucas, Thomas and Simon. What was supposed to be a relaxing Christmas vacation at a holiday resort in Thailand, soon comes to an abrupt and shattering end as, in the course of mere seconds, a roaring leviathan of a tsunami wave turns the paradise into a nightmare. So authentic in its opening sequence that I literally felt cold chills all over my body for a good 15-20 minutes. The family is separated. Shocked and severely injured, Maria (Naomi Watts) and her oldest son Lucas (Tom Holland) wade through waters littered with dead bodies and driftwood. Gripping performances from them both, but stronger yet are the images, where people don't just lose their loved ones, but are literally stripped of their dignity; defenseless and vulnerable before Mother Nature's destructive forces. Some particularly touching moments come into effect when Lucas, on encouragement from his half-dying mother, looks for the other half of their family while helping others reunite with theirs. Among those is a despairing father played by Swedish actor Douglas Johansson, who reminds us once again of the many Swedish victims in the catastrophe. The screenplay has its less impressive and downright clichéd instances. And granted, there are tools employed for dramatic effect. In the grand totality, however, it's nothing that deducts from its powerful whole. Because this is a film that grabs hold of you and squeezes every tear canal dry. That despite the gruesome and unfathomable, leaves us with a beautiful encapsulation of family bonds and compassion, strangers in-between. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mikes-Movie-Reviews/281824101875153?ref=hl

• Directors C

  
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] A new breed of disaster film that matches inspiration with sheer emotion and profundity. Although it is downright impossible to realistically replicate onto the screen the sheer anguish and terror that the… More
  [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] A new breed of disaster film that matches inspiration with sheer emotion and profundity. Although it is downright impossible to realistically replicate onto the screen the sheer anguish and terror that the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami brought to the lives of people scattered all over the earth. As well as how it stole the lives of over 200 thousand innocent civilians so harshly, director Juan Antonio Bayona attacks us with a thrilling wave of all around cinematic awe that will nevertheless cause you to cringe and cry, but also clap. "The Impossible" stars the perfectly cast Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts, and quite frankly I am shocked that Ewan was overlooked by the Academy Awards because his convincing and engaging supporting performance pumps the inspirational nature and message of the film itself alongside the already, thankfully nominated Naomi as they search for their children. Bayona's direction, is equally phenomenal. The cinematography and realistic set designs are gorgeous and literally throw you into the panic of the disaster's aftermath. Technically it is an unconditional marvel in terms of visuals and the nature of the filming. The only real flaw is the coincidental melodrama which ends up wasting some of the realism, but it counts for very little when you appreciate how faithful and unflinching it is when it comes to the performances and the all but unnecessary graphic violence. Before I saw the film, I was hoping it would miss out on a "best picture" nomination at the Academy Awards, due to how it looked like the typically sentimental candy that the Oscars would eat up. Now after painfully witnessing it, I can honestly say that in moments it proves to be just that, but it is still a huge deal more action packed and an undoubtedly superior thriller when put next to the wider released "A Good Day to Die Hard". But given how much I greatly admire this wonderful film and how it explores coming of age, survival, teamwork and love. I can also justify quite proudly that the members of the Academy are complete idiots.

• Nate Z

  
  On December 26, 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered one of the deadliest tsunamis on record, devastating coastal cities along the Indian Ocean. Over 230,000 people are believed to have perished from the waves and resulting damage. The Impossible tells the harrowing and ultimately… More
  On December 26, 2004, an underwater earthquake triggered one of the deadliest tsunamis on record, devastating coastal cities along the Indian Ocean. Over 230,000 people are believed to have perished from the waves and resulting damage. The Impossible tells the harrowing and ultimately inspiring true-story of one family and their vacation from hell. We follow Marie (Naomi Watts) and Henry (Ewan McGregor) as well as their three sons, from oldest to youngest, Lucas (Tom Holland), Thomas (Samuel Joslin), and Simon (Oaklee Pendergast). They're vacationing in Thailand for the holidays and then the tsunami hits, separating Marie and Lucas from the group. They are swept away by the punishing waves and Marie is badly hurt. Henry is desperately searching for his loved ones, Lucas is desperate to get his mother proper medical attention, and there are thousands just as desperate and just as in need. It's nigh impossible to watch this movie and be unmoved. It's not very subtle when it comes to its themes and messages, but man is it ever effective. The family struggle could have easily descended into melodrama with a sappy, maudlin reunion, punctuated with swelling music to hit you over the head. It's a fairly simple story with little to its plot. The family gets separated and then they desperately search for one another and, surprise, they reunite. It is after all based on a true story and they all lived, so there's that. It's the startling level of realism, the exceptional performances, and the poignant moments of human kindness and grace that suckered me in big time. I was an emotional wreck throughout this movie but in the best way possible. I cried at points, sure, but my tears and my emotions always felt genuinely earned. There's no doubt that this is one manipulative movie. It knows what strings to pull, what buttons to push, and it does so with finesse. Last year I decried Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close for being overly manipulative and overdosing on false sentiment. However, with this movie, my investment was never in jeopardy. I was completely absorbed by the story and felt great empathy for the array of characters as they persevere. The horror of that 2004 tsunami is told in one small story, personalized, and giving an entry point for an audience to engage without feeling overwhelmed by the magnitude of destruction and death. Let me go into further detail about that wall of destruction, given astonishing, terrifying realism. The recreation of the tsunami ranks up there as one of the most frightening sequences I've ever seen in film. It's a solid ten minutes of chaos, and you will feel the frenzy of that chaos. You're put in the middle, floating along with mother and son as they helplessly try and cling to one another. The scope of the disaster will leave you gasping. I know they must have used sets and water tanks but I'm left stupefied how it all came together to look so seamless. It sounds macabre to compliment the marvelous recreation of mayhem, but director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage) and his team have turned disaster into world-class drama. It's not just the powerful waves as well, there's the field of debris just under the surface to contend with as well. When the first wave hits Maria, we experience her complete disorientation. The sights and sounds are blurs, the water oppressive, and the debris sudden, jolting, unforgiving. It's the closest any person would ever truly want to get in the middle of a tsunami. The majority of the film is about the family coming back together, and while their reunion is indeed a tearjerker, I found the film littered with many small moments that just soared emotionally. When a disaster of this magnitude hits, I'm always struck by the wealth of human kindness and cooperation that emerges in response. There's something deeply moving about helping your fellow man in need, even if you cannot understand his or her language. Maria is aided by the Thai locals who do not treat her differently because she's a white woman. She is just another person in need. Whenever disaster strikes, we think of the people who plunge into the middle as heroes, but simple acts can be just as comforting and thoughtful. There are small moments of kindness, like lending a stranger your cell phone to call home, that speak volumes. In that one instance, Henry is so distraught, the weight of everything hitting him as he tries to put it into words, and his call is abrupt and somewhat incomprehensible thanks to his rising emotions. Henry is urged to call back, not to leave it at that, to leave his relatives dangling with such precious little and the alarm in his voice. So he's given the phone again, and in a more measured demeanor, Henry is able to talk about the situation and promise to find his wife. It's such an everyday gesture made invaluable to Henry. There's a woman talking to Thomas about the stars in the sky, how we don't know which are dead but they continue to live on, and the subtext is a bit obvious but it's still heartfelt. Then there's Lucas' mission of organizing the triage center, scouring the grounds looking for missing family members. He takes it upon himself to make a difference rather than sitting idle. It's that human connection in the face of adversity that proves most uplifting. Watts (J. Edgar) gives a performance of tremendous strength and fragility. The tenacity and resilience she has to keep pushing through is remarkable. She's so strong but vulnerable at the same time, showing you the fine line she walks to stay above the fray for her child. She endures great physical trauma, a gnarly gash in her leg peeling off like tree bark. Then there's the emotional burden of trying to be a mother to a child desperately in need of a sturdy parent. Watts could have readily played to the heights of the emotions, resorting to hysterics, but the quiet strength of her character makes her underplay the burdens she endures. She can't simply just break down. You don't get a true sense of the toll she has suffered until her life-and-death struggles at the very end. The supporting team around Watts also deserves accolades. McGregor (Salmon Fishing in the Yemen) has several heartbreaking and heartwarming scenes, striving for hope. Lucas has to rise to maturity when his mother is wounded, protecting her, supporting her. Acting novice Holland rises to that challenge with great courage, though there are moments that still remind you he's only a boy, like when he bashfully turns his back upon seeing his mother's exposed breast. That awkward, indecisive moment where a young boy doesn't know how to handle the sight, seeing his mother so exposed and vulnerable. The other actors who round out the family (Joslin and Pendergast) are quite superb as well. The family feels like a cohesive, loving unit, and every performance feels believable. The Impossible is based upon the true experiences of a Spanish family, and yet the onscreen family we follow is white, so what gives? It's not surprising for Hollywood to whitewash a story to appeal to a wider audience. Should we have any more sympathy for this family's plight because they are white? Would we feel less if they were Spanish? I think the perils and victories would be the same regardless of language or ethnicity, but I can't fault the producers for snagging talent like Watts and McGregor. If you have actors of this caliber that wish to come aboard, then by all means change the ethnicity of the characters. I was too consumed in the story to care that much about this facet. Watching the unflinching and stunning events in The Impossible, you will likely shed some tears, be they from horror, sadness, or happiness at the family's reunion. While the ending is never in doubt, the movie has plenty of other potent and poignant small moments to keep your emotions safely stirred. It's a visceral experience that will shock and exhilarate. There were moments where I felt like I had to cover my eyes. But The Impossible is not disaster porn, ogling over the suffering and endurance of the misfortunate. It's as much about the response to tragedy as it is the wallop of that cruel tragedy in 2004. The perseverance, the open-hearted help of one's fellow man, the strength of human connection, the long ripples of kindness, it all comes together to form one compelling, often moving, and quite memorable film experience. Add some formidable performances, top-notch direction, and tremendous technical achievement, and The Impossible is a rousing drama that speaks to the best of us even in the worst conditions (think of it as the antithesis of Ayn Rand's philosophy). It may be manipulative, it may be somewhat straightforward, and it likely climaxes too soon, but when the results are this powerful and emotionally engaging, then I'm happy to have my buttons pushed. Nate's Grade: A-

• William D

  
  "The Impossible" is what you'd expect from a movie about the Asian tsunami of 2004. Heart-wrenching footage of a family struggling to survive, both during the tsunami and the grueling 48 hours afterward. It's based on the true story of one family of five, where… More
  "The Impossible" is what you'd expect from a movie about the Asian tsunami of 2004. Heart-wrenching footage of a family struggling to survive, both during the tsunami and the grueling 48 hours afterward. It's based on the true story of one family of five, where miraculously every member survived. It is very emotional of course. The child actors are directed beautifully. But there's not a single surprising moment in the film. Not one. This is a very simple movie.

• Manu G

  
  Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit. Amazing moving FIlm!!! "The Impossible" is an extraordinary journey of the human spirit. Not always easy to watch, but the devastation and pain is worth experiencing. Through the love of this family and the efforts of the… More
  Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit. Amazing moving FIlm!!! "The Impossible" is an extraordinary journey of the human spirit. Not always easy to watch, but the devastation and pain is worth experiencing. Through the love of this family and the efforts of the people of Thailand, you are brought into an emotional wave almost as strong as the horrific tsunami itself while it drags you through the heartbreak to the bitter end. This story through visuals and powering script is a basic story told in an absolutely brilliant way. Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor's performance is amazing, the scenario is perfect and the soundtrack completes everything else in this masterpiece. This is a film that must be experienced by all. As you lay in your cozy beds tonight, take your loved ones for granted as they walk by you, and breath the air you so blindly feel entitled to, think about if at one moment, one single moment, from now, it was all gone. The Impossible dared me to be a better human being, a notion not many films will or attempt to convey. A regular family - Maria (Naomi Watts), Henry (Ewan McGregor) and their three kids - travel to Thailand to spend Christmas. They get an upgrade to a villa on the coastline. After settling in and exchanging gifts, they go to the pool, like so many other tourists. A perfect paradise vacation until a distant noise becomes a roar. There is no time to escape from the tsunami; Maria and her eldest are swept one way, Henry and the youngest another. Who will survive, and what will become of them?

• Thomas B

  
  Brilliantly realised visuals with two amazing performances from the leads, backed up with a fantastic script based on a harrowing true story. Full review later.

• Mark W

  
  One of the very best of recent horror movies was "The Orphanage", released in 2007. As part of it's marketing campaign it was executive produced by the familiar name of Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth"). Of course, del Toro wasn't the creative… More
  One of the very best of recent horror movies was "The Orphanage", released in 2007. As part of it's marketing campaign it was executive produced by the familiar name of Guillermo del Toro ("Pan's Labyrinth"). Of course, del Toro wasn't the creative mind behind the film - little known, Spanish director, Juan Antonio Bayona was. With this follow-up Bayona tackles an altogether different horror in the shape of one the world's worst natural disasters: that of the Pacific Basin Tsunami of 2004. Maria (Naomi Watts) and Henry (Ewan McGregor) are a British couple who takes their three sons on a Christmas family holiday to Thailand. Their idyllic setting is soon torn apart when a powerful and deadly tsunami rips through the beach resort. Maria and the eldest son Lucas (Tom Holland) manage to struggle to safety but Henry and the younger boys are separated, leaving them fighting for survival and unaware of each others' fate. Bayona starts his film off gently, as he introduces the quaint British family going about their holiday with love and enthusiasm. He takes little time in establishing his characters but takes enough to convey them as a strong unit. When they are separated by the sheer destructive force of the Tsunami, Bayona establishes his skill and deft handling of the disaster in all it's devastating force. It's entirely believable and absolutely awe-inspiring as man made structures and natural habitats are swept aside like playthings. On top of this, he gives us a turbulent, first-person point of view of the confusion whilst being churned around in this tidal wave. It's a cinematic achievement that's nothing less than impressive. From here, it progresses into a survival story as the separated family strive to find one another and it's at this point that the film slows down and gets in touch with it's emotional core. I was actually surprised by it's level of emotion but that's not to say that I didn't like it. It worked primarily because we can identify with these suffering individuals. This is a natural disaster that affected many throughout the world and the loss was practically incalculable. As a result, the film becomes a bit of a tearjerker and some may even claim manipulatively so. I was so unprepared that at several points, I was wondering why I had a lump in my throat and why it didn't seem to be going away either. Quite simply, the film's emotional power captured me and refused to let go. Of course, to make this believable, you have to look at the cast members. Each and every one of them were superb; Naomi Watts has been Oscar nominated for her turn but Ewan McGregor can count himself very unlucky not to receive similar recognition. They both deliver outstandingly strong work. Special mention must also go to Tom Holland as the eldest son, who actually carries a large amount of the film of his young shoulders. We could be witnessing the arrival of a very fine actor here. Ultimately, it's through these performers that we invest ourselves into this tragedy. Surprisingly, the only film that I'm aware of that has touched upon this disaster is Clint Eastwood's "Hereafter" but it didn't deal with it to the extent and technical ability that this does. It's not often we get such an impressive piece of work that, so easily, tugs on the heartstrings. In fact, the last time I felt this was with Juan Antonio Bayona's aforementioned "The Orphanage" but to capture such a disaster in all it's ferocity, reaffirms that the impossible is not so hard to believe in contemporary cinema any more.

• Candy R

  
  This movie is based on a true story about a family dispersed by the Indian Ocean tsunami on boxing day 2004. The family were on holiday in Thailand. The earthquake and tsunami killed 280,000 people across 14 countries. The acting and special effects are amazing. It is so real, I felt… More
  This movie is based on a true story about a family dispersed by the Indian Ocean tsunami on boxing day 2004. The family were on holiday in Thailand. The earthquake and tsunami killed 280,000 people across 14 countries. The acting and special effects are amazing. It is so real, I felt battered, bruised and emotionally drained by the whole movie experience. I've not seen something as powerful as this in many years.

• c0up  

  
  'The Impossible'. Pulls effectively at the heart strings throughout, while capturing the chaos and immense destruction wonderfully. I say "wonderfully" in the strangest possible way, because the direction, production, sets and sound design are very skillful and… More
  'The Impossible'. Pulls effectively at the heart strings throughout, while capturing the chaos and immense destruction wonderfully. I say "wonderfully" in the strangest possible way, because the direction, production, sets and sound design are very skillful and immersive, adding a huge amount to the shock value of the subject matter.

• Nadira I

  
  Best disaster movie I have ever seen, capturing precisely the emotions felt by the victims and stunning heartbreaking images of a tsunami.

• Markus R

  
  If the only objective of "The Impossible" was to make an entire theater full of grown adults cry, then MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Based on the "true story" of a (Spanish?) family who survived (not a spoiler alert, only because this movie was seemingly made to be… More
  If the only objective of "The Impossible" was to make an entire theater full of grown adults cry, then MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Based on the "true story" of a (Spanish?) family who survived (not a spoiler alert, only because this movie was seemingly made to be utterly predictable) the 2004 tsunami which hit South Asia, "The Impossible", directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage) in incredibly impressive fashion and containing fairly compelling performances from the likes of Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, would have been assuredly one of the best films of 2012 (and an Oscar contender) if only it wasn't hampered by an overbearingly sappy script, with plotting worthy of The Lifetime Channel, from Sergio G. Sanchez. While Sanchez's plot development makes "The Impossible" one of the most predictable movies you will ever see, this aspect doesn't actually hinder the film as much as one would expect. For one, during the initial act, the fact that audiences are fully aware of the impending doom, works as a form of suspense on the same level as a well crafted horror film would. Secondly, the payoff (which is drenched in predictability) during the climax, shockingly works immensely well due to a lot of help from a well choreographed sequence from Bayona. Furthermore, though this was truly a climax which everybody in the theater could and will see coming from a mile away, it is "impossible" to not be swept away (figuratively) in the moment; no matter how cynical a movie-goer you may be. As for the middle chunk of "The Impossible", it rides that fine line between visual excellence and a forced "triumph of the human spirit" storyline, with the reoccurring theme of sappiness rearing its head again and again and once more, directly following the great climax with an eye rolling prolonged ending. Side Note: Kudos to the director for not shying away from showing the most realistic depiction possible of the people who lived through and died during this tsunami. And by that I don't just mean the violence and gruesomeness of people drowning and being impaled by large pieces of debris, but more so the amount of nudity, i.e. not going the American PG-13 rout of showing us tsunami victims who are cut up, arms broken and eyes popping out of their head, but with clothes still intact. With that said, while nothing in this film is gratuitous (aside from the gratuitous sappiness) how this movie passed without an R rating with the amount of Naomi Watts' breasts shown, during a time when American parents are more afraid of their thirteen year old seeing a woman's exposed nipple than a movie riddled with gun violence, is one of the most impressive things I've seen in an American distributed film in quite a while. In short, if you where planning on seeing this movie with your kids, then see this movie with your kids; a little breast never hurt anybody. Final Thought: Though I still stand by my point that the overwhelmingly forced pathos throughout does drag this film down a bit, I will say "The Impossible" contains some of the most impressive visuals of 2012; just falling short of Ang Lee's "Life of Pi". But still the most overwhelming aspect that this film has going for it, is how eventually (and quite forcefully) it pulls at the heartstrings so much so, that much like those SPCA commercials, you won't be able to help yourself but choose the emotional response of "that poor family", rather than a rational one of "this isn't that great of a movie". Written by Markus Robinson, Edited by Nicole I. Ashland Follow me on Twitter @moviesmarkus

• KJ P

  
  One of the most powerful films of 2012! "The Impossible" follows the real-life story of a family in peril after the tsunami hits, and after a mother and her son are split across the island from her husband and two other sons, they must find their way back, to find if they… More
  One of the most powerful films of 2012! "The Impossible" follows the real-life story of a family in peril after the tsunami hits, and after a mother and her son are split across the island from her husband and two other sons, they must find their way back, to find if they have survived. The writing could have been tweaked a bit, but the atmosphere of the film, the acting, the direction, and every shot is pitch perfect and I have absolutely no complaints. "The Impossible" has some of the strongest acting in all of 2012, and Naomi Watts gets my stamp of approval. This film is beautiful. One of the best of 2012!

• Sam B

  
  I would never call "The Impossible" an enjoyable movie, and I certainly don't think I'll ever watch it again of my own choice, but I've seen very few movies that are as effective in its emotional goals as this. Naomi Watts is incredible, the direction is spot… More
  I would never call "The Impossible" an enjoyable movie, and I certainly don't think I'll ever watch it again of my own choice, but I've seen very few movies that are as effective in its emotional goals as this. Naomi Watts is incredible, the direction is spot on, and overall this stands with "127 Hours" as one of the most powerful, classiest survival movies ever made.

• Aaron N

  
  Lucas: I'm scared. Maria: I'm scared too. The year 2012 presented a number of harrowing situations on film, such as the plane crashes that took place in The Grey and Flight, along with the wrath of both Titans and Russell Crowe's voice in 'Les Mis.' The… More
  Lucas: I'm scared. Maria: I'm scared too. The year 2012 presented a number of harrowing situations on film, such as the plane crashes that took place in The Grey and Flight, along with the wrath of both Titans and Russell Crowe's voice in 'Les Mis.' The Impossible presents what is literally a story of impossible survival, as a family deals with a horrific event. Based on a true story, this is a film about the struggle to survive during the catastrophic 2004 tsunami that ravaged the coast of Thailand. It features three very strong performances and top-notch direction, as it attempts to place a visual eye on the horrors suffered by people caught in a deadly fight against nature. Few issues regarding what is being ultimately presented aside, The Impossible is an intense film that certainly displays effective filmmaking techniques and powerful drama. read the whole review at thecodeiszeek.com

• Tired of P

  
  Question: Are you having difficulty with your teenage son? He doesn't seem to listen to a word you say; he disregards your suggestions; and appears angry at you for no reason. Well, I think every parent goes through this with their kids - it's a natural part of bringing up… More
  Question: Are you having difficulty with your teenage son? He doesn't seem to listen to a word you say; he disregards your suggestions; and appears angry at you for no reason. Well, I think every parent goes through this with their kids - it's a natural part of bringing up children but it is not easy. I know this first hand. You sometimes beat your head against the wall just to get them to listen and take some (if any) advice. But today I took my son to see The Impossible and discovered that films CAN teach children and inspire people of all ages to remember that parents, family and loved ones are important. Do you recall the 2004 tsunami that devastated Southeast Asia? Countless people lost their lives, homes, possessions and loved ones. Thinking about the expanse of it is still hard to imagine but now having seen The Impossible, I can, sadly. It's a very intense film - right from the get go. I suggest that if you want to take your children (rated PG-13) to see it understand that the first half is extremely difficult to watch. In fact, my thirteen year-old, who was warned repeatedly how intense the film will be but responded he could handle it and rolled his eyes at my warnings, whispered in my ear he wished he hadn't come within the first 20 minutes. I asked why. He said he was scared. He held my hand by that point. The story accounts the real life events of a family who travels to Thailand for their Christmas vacation. A couple with three boys ranging from the age 13 to 5years-old enjoy a quiet, tropical holiday until the day after Christmas when the tsunami strikes as they lounge and play around the swimming pool. The family, along with others, is swept away in the massive waves. Pulled apart from their loved ones we follow the mother, played by Naomi Watts, and her eldest son as they are rapidly and violently tossed about in the waves. And for the next 30 minutes or so we watch their ordeal in the natural disaster. At this point I had cried maybe three times. The intensity of the devastation and the characters needs to help others brought my emotional level up to 10, but sitting there with my son pushed it to an 11. Every 15 minutes or so I had tears cascading down my face as the story follows the mother and son with their horrific torment and struggle. About halfway through the film, the focus is no longer just on the pair. The Impossible broadens its vision, and we were soon immersed in the cataclysmic aftermath of that area. Witnessing other's reactions and the consequences thrust upon by the tsunami was not easy to watch. Towards the end the film did overdo the emotional string tugging with some formulaic Hollywood tricks, but I still enjoyed the film on the whole, and I had to constantly wipe tears from my face at both happy and sad details in the story. My son even felt compelled to ask if I was okay several times since I was apparently an emotional wreck watching the horror. However, I was also instinctually comparing how I would react if I were in the same situation with my son. It's a mother's automatic tendency to imagine how she would conduct herself if her children were hurt, lost, or if anything terrible happened with her family. I will admit that I was emotionally drained by the end of The Impossible. My son was fairly quiet throughout the second half of the film, holding my hand or having his arm intertwined with mine. His stubborn guard was proverbially pushed aside as he watched The Impossible. He was able to handle and interpret the message from this movie; and by the time the credits scrolled on the screen he turned to me and said, "Great, I appreciate you more now." Despite the slightly sarcastic note tagged on to that phrase, I knew he meant it. I smiled, okay...I laughed at that reaction and gave him a kiss on the forehead and said thank you. (A proud mama moment.) The tagline of The Impossible, "Nothing is more powerful than the human spirit." What a wonderful message for all to learn and remember. Review: 7 out of 10

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