When a UFO is shot down by the U.S., Seattle suffers the devastating consequences in this exciting science fiction film from gifted director Jason Bourque. The script, by David Rae and Jeff Renfroe, not only provides an intelligent sci-fi story for Bourque to work with, it emphasizes character development and the nature of human relationships during times of crisis. The performances are superb and we find ourselves caring deeply for these people as they fight for their own survival and for that of those they love. Esai Morales is a particular standout in his inspired role and gives one of does some of his finest work in years. Spectacular special effects are never allowed to diminish the humanity of this film and serves to amplify the powerful message of the screenplay. This is not simply about destroying what we don't understand and therefore fear. It's also about the value of the individual and each one's importance to the other. An extraordinary film of other worldly encounters, high crisis, and the essential nature of love.

There are so many disaster movies out there, both good, bad and mediocre, that it takes some effort to say this falls squarely in to the 'don't bother' category...As a TV movie Seattle Superstorm doesn't start off well with its rather misleading title - a few dark clouds and a bit of wind does not make a Super-storm. Follow this up with dodgy acting, iffy dialogue, middle of the road effects,and worst of all terrible storyline and writing, and what you have is a disaster movie as a package and not just a genre.Character wise I didn't mind 'dad/scientist' Tom (Esai Morales) and could tolerate 'mom/Navy Lt' Emma (Ona Grauer) (although a Lt as the highest Military adviser?) however I would happily put their kids up for adoption as both 'gearhead' Wyatt (Jared Abrahamsom) and 'ecochick' Chloe (MacKenzie Porter) are eternally grating in their sinicism and petty battles. Of course two movie teenagers whose parents are due to remarry will rarely be best buddies (unless they are too close!),however this pair should be hidden in a dark seller with boxing gloves to sort out their differences.So what about the story? Well I for one am glad the US military will happily shoot down UFOs with apparently knowing nothing more than it was plotted by a bored tech operator in the standard 'Artic station'. And aren't we glad that the debris lands within yards of the nations disaster management officials...who just happen to be in Seattle(or Vancouver!?!..a dodgy CGI needle does not make a city!).The result is an increasingly dangerous superstorm that threatens to destroy the world in 4 weeks which gives the perfect excuse for dodgy science to win the day - but not before the requisite near death experiences of the primary characters.And this is what annoys me the most. In the mighty USA, so often gloating of their superiority in overcoming all threats its the same four dysfunctional family members who provide much of the knowledge and impetus in saving the world, not because its a TV movie and so you need a cheap and cheerful set of heros but seemingly because the government officials are ruled by a jerk, the armed forces are nonexistent after the initial actions, the emergency departments are awol, and even the local Seattle folks are busy just hiding in a dark corner.I seem to have fallen asleep during the explanation of the 'alien' artifacts so no spoilers other than saying what a surprise that the Russian chief scientist just happens to wander in to the exact same Seattle Lab that the protagonists are working in at the perfect moment to give detail background to the effects and the results. Maybe the security also fell asleep...?Overall I was pleasantly surprised - not by the movie as it was pants,but that I made it through to the end considering it wasn't even 'so bad its good' because it's really not.I've seen worse effects, and not all the acting was terrible...and that's about it for good points. The rest of the points were negatives and the score reflects it...3/10...avoid

Someone bored and with gullible imagination will spill cold drink in the popcorn and lack jawed enjoy seeing the city of Seattle try to scurry to safety. Well, it came from the sky. An unidentified object is tracked over the state of Washington and lands in Puget Sound. A dark, murky cloud spreads in the water and soon wetsuits rise to the surface without human life to be found. The Seattle sky starts turning black as officials inspect the watery debris. Lt. Commander Emma Peterson(Ona Grauer)is assigned to try to identify the mysterious threat and arrange security for the city. Her fiancé, scientist Tom Reynolds(Esai Morales), is unable to sit still and ignore what is going on, so he sends their two teens(Jared Abrahamson and Mackenzie Porter) home, unknowingly putting them right in the path of the developing superstorm. The city is in chaos and somehow we are to believe this family will figure out together how to stop this drastic calamity before it grows into something that could actually cause world alarm. We see almost 200 scenes of the Space Needle, Seattle's iconic identify and computer generated destruction to the city. The movie is not even filmed in Seattle, but Vancouver. Acting is more like going through the motions and its a shame the talents of Morales and Grauer go wasted. Also in the cast: Michelle Harrison, Jay Brazeau and Martin Cummins.

Tom moves to Seattle to be closer to his fiancé, Emma, both of them are on their second marriage so their respective idiot offspring, the daft Wyatt and Eco idiot Chloe, are both moving in together, then a huge series of natural disasters start via a very unnatural source when the military shoots down a UFO and it crashes into the sea.As if the usual Syfy film detriments of awful special effects and equally appalling acting wasn't enough, this one added whiny bickering, cardboard clichéd annoying characters and a generally daft script to the mix. Before too long I found myself actively rooting for the Superstorm to off them all and end the film (along with my misery)