TravelingbeebryantRN & Flicks_withNick

Why am I reviewing a Disney Channel Original Movie that came out 26 years ago?

Because this is the only way I can get my brother-in-law to read my blog. Maybe this will hook him—and if it does, maybe he’ll stick around and read every single post going forward. Now I’m going to ride the wave of Nostalgia, hang tight cause we’re about to dive all the way back to 1999!

Johnny Tsunami was one of those Disney Channel Original Movies I absolutely loved as a young teenager. Back then, I was fascinated by the fish-out-of-water story of a Hawaiian surfer kid moving to snowy Vermont and trying to fit in with two rival groups: the Skies and the Urchins. The story was fun, relatable in its own way, and full of those classic ’90s kid jokes that made it an easy favorite. The culture clash between surfers and skiers, the goofy side characters, and the underdog snowboarding arc made it feel like the ultimate “cool” movie at the time.

Rewatching it as an adult, I found myself appreciating the film on a completely different level—especially the father-son-grandfather dynamic. The tension between Johnny and his dad is more layered than I remembered, and Johnny’s grandfather (aka the Johnny Tsunami) helps bridge that generational gap with warmth and wisdom. Even the division between the Skies and the Urchins mirrors Johnny’s internal conflict: conforming to his father’s expectations or embracing the freer, more open philosophy of his grandfather. It’s not just about snowboarding or fitting in—it’s about family, identity, and finding your own path.

One thing that’s hilariously obvious now: every single surfing, skiing, and snowboarding scene was clearly done by stunt doubles. As a kid, I didn’t care—I thought it was awesome that a teenager could shred waves and mountains. But now? The actor-to-double transitions are hard to miss… and honestly, kind of hilarious. Still, those are small quirks that don’t take away from the charm of the movie.

Another fun part of rewatching it as an adult is spotting the now-familiar faces in the cast. Johnny’s grandfather—Johnny Tsunami himself—is played by Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, best known as Shang Tsung from Mortal Kombat. His presence adds a surprising amount of gravitas. Johnny’s dad is played by Yuji Okumoto, who you’ll recognize now as Chozen from Cobra Kai. And let’s not forget Kirsten Storms as Emily, Johnny’s love interest, who Disney fans will remember as Zenon from Zenon: Girl of the 21st Century. It’s a small but nostalgic cast that really takes you back.

All in all, Johnny Tsunami still holds up as a solid Disney Channel Original. It’s got heart, throwback vibes, and whether you’re watching it for the first time or revisiting it like I did, it offers more than just childhood nostalgia—it delivers a surprisingly timeless story at its core.

I’m judging this movie based on it being a DCOM from over 20 years ago, made for a young teen audience. With that in mind, I give Johnny Tsunami a 2.9 / 5.

Any other childhood movies I should review? Let me know in the comments!

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