The ImpossibleMovie Reviews

  • Must Go! Based on 6,312 reviews
    Breakdown:
  • Must Go!
    Written December 22, 2012

    Heart-Wrenching!

    by pedsarq

    You should consider whether you're in the mood for a good cry or not before going to see this film. It's about the Tsunami that hit Thailand in 2004. A family of 5 get swept away and split apart by it and the movie tracks the members as they search for each other. Apparently, the government and the medical staffs did a fantastic job for the victims and that really comes through in the film. It's also a movie that showcases the value of human life by showing the power of love and strong will. I enjoyed the film, but I must admit that there were a few scenes where I was in tears. If you don't mind shedding some, you'll be treating yourself to a first-rate film with terrific actors.

    • 35 out of 50 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 3, 2013

    Heart-wrenching example of the Human Spirit

    I saw "Les Miserables" yesterday, and it didn't have near the emotional impact of this film. Literally, I sat in the theater for the full ten minutes of credits at the end just to compose myself, and even now, tearing up just thinking about it. Naomi Watts deserves an Oscar. Ewan McGregor and young Tom Holland, who plays one of their three sons, Lucas, in the film, are mesmerizing as well. The heart-stopping, gut-wrenching action starts very close to the beginning, as we see the family at and in the pool of a brand new luxury beach-side resort in Thailand on the day after Christmas, 2004. The Tsunami gives no more warning than a loud rumble and within 5 seconds, has engulfed everything in site in mind-boggling cinematography. This is a true story, with a capital "T." The producers make sure to imprint this fact on the audience by stating it not once, but twice on the opening 2 shots. In reality, the family was Spanish, but except for changing them to British for the movie, I understand

    • 23 out of 34 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written January 5, 2013

    The Impossible Delivers

    You understand (as much as is possible) what it felt like to be there. I felt each stab of debris as victims tossed around in the tsunami. Amazing. I went back and watched you-tube videos of the tsunami and the film was spot on.

    • 23 out of 35 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 9, 2013

    SWEEPING movie..no pun intended

    The visual effects are incredible. To recreate the horror of that day must have been heart wrenching! The storyline is even more heart wrenching. Bring your tissues. An incredible movie worth seeing in the theater.

    • 23 out of 36 found this review helpful.
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  • No
    Written January 21, 2013

    Waste of time

    Kept looking at my watch....certainly could have missed this one. Can't believe Watts nominated for Oscar ...all she did was moan and pass out.

    • 21 out of 32 found this review helpful.
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  • Oh No!
    Written January 20, 2013

    Horrible!

    by phoebem

    Would have been a great story to see on 60 minutes but not a 2 hour movie!

    • 12 out of 15 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 6, 2013

    Powerful story and agonizing to watch.

    I cannot believe how well done this move was put together. The gripping emotions in each scene. The screams, the pain, the misery were at times too much for me. Watts played her deteriorating condition perfectly. McGregor had 2 heart melting scenes and both were such a release of painful emotion that the theater was in tears.The child actors were flawless and well cast. I will never figure out how this enormous catastrophe was recreated to such realism. Absolutely amazing!
    Full price okay.

    • 14 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 14, 2013

    Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor astound you!

    by Maaz

    This movie made me want to jump into it and help these characters out; this movie depicts the unfortunate reality that a tsunami can cause and how you have to push forward with what you have after it is over. The fact that its a true story makes you realize that the human spirit is capable of enduring so many things and this movie is proof. Ladies and gentlemen must bring their tissues because if you do not (at the very least) swell up in tears, you cannot have been paying attention to this movie.

    • 11 out of 14 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 4, 2013

    A Horrifying and Emotional Experience You Will Rarely Find in a Film

    The Impossible does things many films wish they could do. Maybe it was the fact that the film portrayed real events. Maybe it was because of the great performances by Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor. Maybe because it reminded of us of our own families, and how we would do anything to save them. Or maybe it was just a reminder of the great compassion humans are capable of, when most of the time we are reminded of horrible we can be. But whichever of those it was, or something else, this film will touch you emotionally to a great level. It is a horrifying portrayal of what people had to go through during the 2004 tsunami in Thailand, but that is not something that should turn you off from seeing this. If anything, you should take as many of your loved ones and close friends to see it with you! It will make you feel more grateful for who you have around you, and for the people who put aside everything to help others in need.

    GREAT MOVIE, GO SEE IT!

    • 21 out of 34 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 4, 2013

    A MUST SEE FILM ABOUT A FAMILY THAT SURVIVED THE 2004 INDIAN OCEAN TSUNAMI.

    It felt appropriate to see this film on the final day, according to the Mayan calendar, of mankind?s existence; for many who survived the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, and the hundreds of thousands who perished, it was apocalyptic, and second only to the devastation of the 1556 earthquake in Shaanxi (Shensi), China...
    Director J.A. Bayona?s magnificently horrifying, beautifully brutal scenes of the December 26th catastrophe, leave one breathless and shaking with its validity; how anyone survived is miraculous, ?impossible?. The film is based upon a family of five who defied the odds; their tale is redemptive, cathartic, spiritual...
    FOUR & 1/2 STARS!!!!

    ***For full review please visit peneflix(dot)com!!!

    • 12 out of 16 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written January 7, 2013

    Amazing Story

    by sthoma

    Great movie and incredible true story about this horrific event and the impact on thousands of lives. This family's story made the tragedy more personal as seen through the eyes of the parents and children who separated when the tsunami hit with no advance warning. Can't give it the top rating of "must go" but it's definitely a "go" and worth seeing in a theater. It's a shame it's only playing on a small number of theaters and not getting as much exposure as other films at box office that are not nearly as entertaining or inspiring.

    • 13 out of 19 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written February 16, 2013

    It's okay

    I had high expectations and even though Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts made a great screen couple the movie plays with the line of boredom and emotionality that makes the amazing scenes leave from your liking.

    • 7 out of 7 found this review helpful.
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  • Go
    Written March 16, 2013

    The Impossible

    Hard to watch, especially with the acknowledgement that this tidal wave was very, very real and killed 250,000. That said, the acting was first rate and the story inspiring. Will definitely leave a mark.

    • 6 out of 6 found this review helpful.
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  • So-so
    Written January 13, 2013

    very over-rated

    by dpbrew

    If you are familiar with this disaster and watched many of the excellent videos on Youtube, you'll be surprised by the narrow focus of this movie. Too much time is spent with triviality.
    BY the way: I find the "I'm in" selection totally useless.

    • 18 out of 30 found this review helpful.
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  • Must Go!
    Written January 7, 2013

    The Movie Lives Up to the Title

    I've seen all the big movies this season, and this by far is one of the most exceptional films of them all. The fact that it is a TRUE story and the family was very involved in the making of it makes it all the more powerful. It is the only film I've cried during this year, the only one worthy of tears honestly. The 2004 Tsunami ripped apart the islands of Indonesia, but this movie is about the love the wave couldn't ripe apart. It is magical and moving and makes you very aware of the power of love and hope and really makes you question the materialist world we live in and what really matters. Excellent! Powerful! Impossible to forget!

    • 11 out of 17 found this review helpful.
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The Impossible Movie Reviews + Ratings

Fans say

Must Go!
6,312 fan reviews

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Tweets About The Impossible

victorialawsonx The Impossible is the most amazing film I've ever watched, its so moving & emotional but amazing how its a true story aswell.

16 hours ago.

Courtneyswl123 I watched The Impossible last night and it's such an amazing film #inspirational

18 hours ago.

tamwagner44 After we watched a hilarious movie.. watched the impossible and that movie was a tear jerker...the boyfriend didn't think so but I did

18 hours ago.

Pollllly_ The impossible was such a good movie, if you haven't seen it.. you need to. #TearJerker

19 hours ago.

ELLEBpdx I watched The Impossible last night with #NaomiWatts & still choked up this AM!! #MustSee #movie #tsunami

20 hours ago.

The Impossible Featured Trailers + Video Clips

Exclusive Features

More Films on Fandango's Awards Watch Interview: 'The Impossible' Director J.A Bayona on Naomi Watts, Shooting a Mega Tsunami Wave and Weeping on Set We sit down with Bayona and talk about the creation of 'The Impossible', from shooting a deadly tsunami wave to Naomi Watts' potential Oscar nomination. More Films on Fandango's Awards Watch More Films on Fandango's Awards Watch