Johnny Tsunami (1999)

In Hawaii 13-year-old Johnny has the market cornered on cool--his grandfather's the legendary surfer Johnny Tsunami, and he himself is a righteous riptide or two away from riding into the sunset, hang-10 style, with a surfing medal. He's also, in the familiar formula fashion of the bulk of family entertainment, a great kid who's about to be plunged willy-nilly into a world without waves (the Kauai-style waves he craves, anyway). In Vermont, where his creased-too-tight Dad's accepted a job at a la-di-da academy, waters get plenty choppy for Johnny. The prepsters don't dig his dress code, and to him, their snobbery in keeping "urchins"--public-school kids--from snowboarding on their side of the mountain is totally gnarly. As tensions with his schoolmates mount, already prickly Johnny-Pop relations plummet. Johnny and an urchin pal, army brat Sam, hop a military ride to Hawaii, where they hang with Johnny the elder and--yawn--figure out for themselves that they can't run, or surf or snowboard, away from their problems. Back in Vermont, Grandpa enjoins Johnny to inject his passion for surfing into snowboarding. That way, he's sure to wallop big-mouth Bret, an academy kid, in a mountainside ski/snowboard showdown. Suspense not being Johnny Tsunami's strong suit, guessing the winner isn't likely to inspire a lot of head scratching. Instead, what this flick may inspire is an appreciation for cool, air-catching sports and the concept that changing coasts or climates needn't mean social catastrophe for kids. --Tammy La Gorce Amazon.com

Where is the DVD?

I just bought Johnny Kapahala-Back on Board on DVD, but this movie is still not available that way, I want both on DVD, not the 1st. on VHS and 2nd. on DVD. October 14, 2007

Not a review

I have found this movie at tower records, Dimple, and many other places for $4. Charging this much for a movie is totally ripping everyone off. The movie wasent that good, and you really need to lower the price if you want people to buy this junk. Sorry January 6, 2006

Johnny Tsunami

Johnny Kapahaala is living the good life: friends, beach, and awesome surfing. The only thing that threatens to ruin his fun is his dad, who approves of surfing just as much as Johnny would approve of being bitten by a shark. When the Kapahaalas make an unexpected move to Vermont, Johnny's father encourages him to make friends and do well at his new school. But Johnny would rather daydream about surfing, and talk to his grandpa in Hawaii while wishing that he was there to surf under the sun, too. Will Johnny ever get used to his new oceanless home? Maybe, just maybe, he could find a way to surf WITHOUT the water.

This is an okay movie. Some parts were pretty unrealistic, and the whole "father just doesn't understand" thing can get just a teeny bit old sometimes, even though it makes things interesting. There was nothing "special" about this movie. It's mostly just a movie that you watch when there's nothing better to do. Overall, I would only buy this movie if you're a die hard fan of Kirsten Storms (she's in it) or one of the other actors in it. There are better tween movies out there, not to mention that you can watch them and "Johnny Tsunami" on Disney Channel for free. May 24, 2005

YES TOTTALY RICTER

this movie was totally ricter. My bra's and i were hangin out every single day just because this movie is the bomb!! I would recoment this movie to anyone who likes love movies or just totally narly shredding by chinese guys. I LOVE THIS MOVIE.

YE GUYS YE THIS IS THE BOMB. MY name is the Murf and I have no friends in life. EVERYONE HATES ME AND I DING DONG DOOR DITCH PEOPLE BECAUSE IM AFRAID OF THEM. I HOPE THEY WILL NEVER FIND OUT June 19, 2004

Heart and Soul

This is a great movie! Johnny's parents are not very good "listeners," but his Grandfather is completely there for him. It's a Disney movie formula, but there's some truth to it...a kid doesn't really require a " village," but he does need one adult in the world that he is really connected with.

Johnny Tsunami also has a lot to say about surfing and skiing and what it's like to be the new kid in school.

CLM January 11, 2004

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