Johnny Tsunami (TV 1999)

A Hawaiian teenage surfer shows off his skills when he takes to the snow slopes in Vermont.

Director:

Steve Boyum

Writers:

Ann Knapp, Douglas Snow

Stars:

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, Brandon Baker, Mary Page Keller

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa	...	Johnny Tsunami
Brandon Baker	...	Johnny Kapahaala
Mary Page Keller	...	Melanie
Yuji Okumoto	...	Pete
Lee Thompson Young	...	Sam Sterling
Cylk Cozart	...	Sgt. Sterling
Kirsten Storms	...	Emily
Zachary Bostrom	...	Brett (as Zach Bostrom)
Gregory Itzin	...	Headmaster Pritchard
Taylor Moore	...	Jake
Anthony DiFranco	...	Eddie
Steve Van Wormer	...	Randy
Noah Bastian	...	Aaron
Gabriel Luque	...	Matt
Anne Sward	...	Miss Arthur

Storyline

A Hawaiian teenage surfer shows off his skills when he takes to the snow slopes in Vermont.

---

Plot Keywords:

vermont | winter sports | hawaii | surfing | character name in title

---

Taglines:

The Temperature Is Down... But The Surf Is Up!

---

Genres:

Drama | Family | Sport

---

Certificate:

TV-G

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 July 1999 (USA)

Also Known As:

Johnny Tsunami - Der Wellenreiter

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Film Roman Productions, Syracuse Productions

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa is only 9 years older than Yuji Okumoto, who plays his son.

---

Goofs

Of the principal Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the furthest west. Therefore, when Johnny asks his father if they are moving east to Kauai, it is not geographically possible.

---

Connections

Followed by Johnny Kapahala: Back on Board (2007)

---

Soundtracks

"Crystal 52"
by Jeffries Fan Club

User Reviews

A fine, fun, family film, although the title doesn't seem funny any more

Johnny lives with his parents in Hawaii, where his grandfather is the legendary Johnny Tsunami, an accomplished surfer. Young Johnny's father, Pete, has serious misgivings about his own father's more unconventional lifestyle and decides to move the family to Vermont. He does this, in part, to get the teenage Johnny away from his love of surfing and into a more serious role as a dedicated student. As one can see, to travel from Hawaii to snowy Vermont is quite a change in venue and 13 year old Johnny has some big adjustments to make. He has to find new friends and new activities. But, the stuffy students at the private academy his father chose tend to snub him. Instead, Johnny makes friends with the so-called urchins (public school students) in town and takes up snowboarding. Yet, complications continue to present themselves. Will Johnny adjust to his new life? This is a fine and funny film for families everywhere. Despite all of his problems, young Johnny continues to have an attitude as sunny as the beach on Oahu and it is very infectious. All of the actors do a great job and the production values are quite nice. Most of all, the settings, in both Hawaii and Vermont, are picture perfect and wonderful to behold. Are you looking tonight for a film to entertain your loved ones? This lovely film is an excellent choice that will have everyone cheering.