The scientist and novelist John McAdams (Angus Macfadyen) is summoned to an emergency meeting of scientists at the Preston Point Institute to discuss a tsunami that has hit the Southern New Jersey Shore. Eight years ago, John created man-made tidal waves with his Sea Lion Project; during the experiments, his beloved wife Ann had died and he quit working as scientist. Now the scientists discuss the possibility of a terrorist attack. When John returns home, he finds that someone has planted a file in his computer with classified information to incriminate him since he had written a sci-fi novel about terrorists using tidal waves to destroy the USA.
When a second tsunami reaches the Maine, John becomes the prime suspect and is chased by the FBI and the police. Meanwhile he investigates the events with his former colleague and friend Sophie Marleau (Karine Vanasse) and when he follows the money, he discloses a huge conspiracy with economical interests of the Camtrell Corporation to construct the Sea Wall defense system to protect the American coast.
"Killer Wave" is a TV Mini-Series with a reasonable story that could have been better and better with minor improvements. The writers were lazy and the direction was loose. (1) John McAdams is a non-charismatic character and the fat Angus Macfadyen gives the sensation that is bored and without any motivation to act. Therefore Angus Macfadyen is miscast. (2) Stanley Schiff, performed by Christopher Heyerdahl, seems to be a moron but never a scientist with his behavior. This character should have been better developed. (3) The two FBI agents seem to be independent agents and never report their findings to a chief. (4) The pace is too slow and emotionless. Edgar's speech, for example, is too long and dull. (5) In the final sequence, there are at least three mercenaries protecting Edgar Powell and Aslan Bulkari that shoot the two FBI agents that escape using the elevator. Pretty after, Sophie runs through the corridors and there are no killers anymore that vanish. (6) There are very few characters for a conspiracy of that size probably due to budget restraint. (7) The story is predictable and the conclusion is very disappointing. My vote is five.
Title (Brazil): "Maremoto" ("Tidal Wave")