Volcano (DVD)

Advantages: Good special effects
Disadvantages: Lack of characterisation, not enough human emotion

...Peak, which is similar to Volcano in every respect, except that Pierce Brosnan is in the lead role and not Tommy Lee Jones. Volcano isn't that terrible, but it definately doesn't class as one of the great disaster movies, even if it does contain some well cheoreographed action sequences and a solid (but not great) performance from Jones. This is definately Tommy Lee Jones's territory, allowing him to run around and save the day, as well as fix the ...
...same. The main problem with Volcano is that you don't feel any connection to the lead characters, with a lack of characterisation prevalent throughout. As the title suggests this film is all about a Volcano and its aftermath. The big difference is that the Volcano explodes in the middle of Los Angeles (which is scientifically impossible, but obviously nothing is impossible in Hollywood), leading to absolute chaos on the streets. The film starts with ... Read review

Advantages: Good effects and sound
Disadvantages: The story lacks emotion

Movie: Volcano Year: 1997 Industry Rating: 12 Classification: Action / Thriller / Drama / Disaster Starring: Tommy Lee Jones .... Mike Roark Anne Heche .... Dr. Amy Barnes Gaby Hoffmann .... Kelly Roark Don Cheadle .... Emmit Reese Jacqueline Kim .... Dr. Jaye Calder Keith David .... Police Lieutenant Ed Fox John Corbett .... Norman Calder Michael Rispoli .... Gator Harris John Carroll Lynch .... Stan Olber Marcello Thedford .... Kevin Laurie Lathem ...
...Coast is Toast when a volcano erupts in downtown L.A., threatening to destroy the city. Mike Roark (Tommy Lee Jones) is the director of the OEM (Office of Emergency Management) for Los Angeles, and is about to have his abilities tested to the max. In downtown L.A., after a couple of workers are attacked by what appeared to be a weird gas in an underground tunnel, Mike and another inspector are sent to investigate. After going down into the tunnel ... Read review

Advantages: Entertainmant
Disadvantages: Not enough of a story

...wrote a novel of a volcano erupting under a city only his was based in New York. There are several similarities between this book and the film. Without going into spoilers, the locations, city-park-lake-subway, some actions, some characters, human and non human that I feel that this book was the genesis for the film. The film gives story writer credit to a Jerome Armstrong. This is the only credit according to IMDB. I feel that this is only half ...
...the actions of the various characters, and there are several characters given name credits in this film, are not explored. Why certain people acted as they do is not part of this film. We are presented with a situation and the action is allowed to develop from there. The why of the people being where they are is not mentioned at all. And that I feel lets down this film. As a disaster film this is quite entertaining. Suspend all critical belief before ... Read review

Advantages: Reasonable special effects, Tommy Lee Jones
Disadvantages: Weak plot, poor characters

...the actual possibility of a Volcano forming in Los Angeles is impossible due to the geographical location. The main star of the film is Tommy Lee Jones, who plays a stereo typical hero who has to save the day, even though no one would listen to him. You can't blame Jones for this performance as the character doesn't have any history or real depth of character. Accompanying him is Anne Heche who is not believable as someone with a knowledge of geology ...
...job but don't really stand out. The film is directed by Mick Jackson (The Bodyguard) and although he hasn't done a terrible job in keeping the film moving, he hasn't made the most of the story. The whole film relies on the special effects to keep you glued to it, but if he had made an attempt to explain the characters a bit more and work more with the storyline, he could have made a reasonable film. The soundtrack to the film is totally unmemorable, ... Read review

Advantages: Great Idea, Great Special Effects
Disadvantages: The idea wasn't fully exploited

This film is about a Volcano forming in the city of Los Angeles and causing massive devastation in the city. The idea is very good but the filmakers didn't exploit it to it's full extent as the script was pretty weak and a good idea was wasted. The special effects are outstanding and are state of the art and I cannot fault them. The film stars Tommy Lee Jones and was made around the same time as Men Ib Black but was released almost a year after it ... Read review

Advantages: Great use of special effects, and great fight scenes
Disadvantages: story is lacking

...... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Connery at this best
Disadvantages: You'll think of Austin Powers when you see this

...before. When the volcano set is referred to it is with full pride of the crew involved as the work that went into construction of what were them a record breaking film set was an incredible effort which is reflected in the documentaries. That set cost 105 of the budget and was designed by Ken Adam, who has a documentary about him included. Surprisingly it also shows the downside of the production with what went wrong, it is very moving story regarding the cameraman. That lost a foot when the helicopter blades came too close to the copter that he was filming from. This is the second time that he film has been released on DVD, as this is an Ultimate Edition disc the extras have been beefed up and includes extras such as interviews from Whickers World to Radio adverts and trailer. A great selection, full list of extras below: • Audio... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: See text below
Disadvantages: See text below

...probably saved the guy in a wheelchair gags for the sequel (they did). Shorty Watches Girl On Surveillance Camera – Too long, too not funny. Glad they cut it out, but they should have left it on the cutting room floor. In a pile. Under some mouse droppings. In a volcano. On Mars. Cindy’s Last Stand – 4 extra seconds of the final scene, featuring a throwaway blowjob gag. Unessential. ***DVD ROM extras*** ***Screenplay Viewer*** Watch the movie alongside the screenplay (duh, really?), which also features clickable thumbnail images of stills from the flick. Pretty pointless for a movie reliant on sight gags, but adds more value to the package than: ***Scary Movie: A Guide for the Culturally Challenged*** Apparently an explanation, scene by scene, of each and every one of the jokes relating to pop-culture, which... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful