The wave that fills the streets of San Francisco is the film's VFX crown jewel. Scanline used their proprietary "Flowline" software, originally designed for The Day After Tomorrow , to simulate 48 billion liters of water. The result—a green-gray wall of sludge pushing a cargo ship into a bridge—remains one of the most iconic shots of mid-2010s cinema.
Upon release, the San Andreas movie received mixed reviews from critics (48% on Rotten Tomatoes) but an "A-" CinemaScore from audiences. Critics called it "loud and predictable." Audiences called it "thrilling." san andreas movie