Volcano

Rating:
Summary: Not Fabulous But Not Very Awful Either!
Review: When this movie was in the theaters I went to see it with my mother and her sisters and though it's definitely not a fabulous movie it wasn't totally awful either, I wouldn't give this movie 5 stars but I would rate it 2 1/2 stars if I could but since I can't I will have to give it 3 stars because it does deserve more then 1 or 2 stars. The special effects in this movie were maybe not the best that have been used in a movie but I actually enjoyed the special effects which was actually the best part of the movie and the plot and diologue really stunk which Is why I wouldn't rate this movie with 4 or 5 stars! Tommy Lee Jones, John Corbett and Anne Heche all did some good acting but their talents were wasted and some of the acting from the supporting cast was a little iffy and could have been better, I like Gabby Hoffman, she was great in Sleepless In Seattle but I couldn't stand her whiney angst ridden teenaged character in Volcano, this character was extremely annoying but I don't fault Gabby for that I fault the writers for creating such a whiney little brat who was just so predictable and cliched.

Rating:
Summary: don't bother
Review: My husband and I saw this movie when it was in the theater. It is very, very boring. The storyline is bad, and the acting is also bad. The only funny part is when this guy melts into the lava, and I don't think that was intended to be funny.

Everytime I see a bad move, I think, "Well, I suppose it was better than Volcano."

Rating:
Summary: Starring the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles
Review: I have always suspected the tar pits of being a hot bed of adversity. And who knows what those nasty faults are planning for us. All in all this is as good as any other disaster movie with the exception that it brings the disaster home to you and not in some remote location. The acting is as good as any disaster movie. Tommy Lee Jones is a good selection and carries of his character to a tee. With the lava creeping around you have plenty of time to say "watch out" and "stay in the car."

Rating:
Summary: Tommy vs the Volcano
Review: A who's who of b-list actors vs the great all-knowing volcano. It uses sewers. It uses tar pits. It lurks under the streets of L.A.

Ignore the laws of physics. Shelve your common sense. Forget reality. Then watch the movie. If you have a couple of hours to kill, it' beats a sharp stick in the eye. Special effects aren't bad. acting is what you'd expect. Watch Rodeo drive burn - that's worth it alone.

Rating:
Summary: Jones & Co. Make It Work
Review: Without question, movies can be educational and informative; a powerful medium, the cinema inherently encourages global communications and creates a common thread that binds the nations of the world together. But lest we forget, the primary function of the motion picture is entertainment-- and one of the tried and true approaches to effecting that end successfully is taking a hypothetical situation and presenting it in story form by employing all of the talent and technology available that will make it as real as possible. And when it's done right, it provides the audience with a memorable experience while affording a respite from the daily grind, which is exactly what "Volcano," directed by Mick Jackson does. it's a film that asks, "What if?" and then answers it's own question in a way that's exciting and purely entertaining. It does call upon the audience to suspend disbelief, however, and there are those who will draw a haughty breath and laugh at the idea of a volcano erupting in Los Angeles and will refuse to give this story a chance; bear in mind, however, that it's these very same pseudo-intellectuals who, prior to May 18th, 1980, scoffed and disdainfully dismissed out-of-hand even the possibility that Mount St. Helens could erupt during our lifetime. So, put it into that kind of perspective, if you can, then sit back and relax and let this movie do what it was meant to do: Entertain you. And on a grand scale.

Waiting for the "big one" to hit may be a way of life for those living in California, especially in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, but suddenly there's some pronounced seismic activity in the L.A. area, and when a crew of city workers are scalded to death while performing a task underground, it falls to Mike Roark (Tommy Lee Jones), who works for the city and whose job it is to know these things, to figure out what's going on. Roark quickly secures the assistance of Dr. Amy Barnes (Anne Heche), a geologist, who uncovers evidence that a "geological event" is in progress, which means some decisions are going to have to be made by Roark, and fast. Inexplicably, there are indications of volcanic activity in the downtown area, in the vicinity of the La Brea Tar Pits. And Roark doesn't have time to plan ahead; in fact, he's already out of time-- the earth has decided it's time to make a move, and it's not asking permission.

Working from a screenplay by Jerome Armstrong and Billy Ray that's about as good as it gets for a story like this, director Jackson tempers the action and the incredible F/X with the human element, and that gives this film some teeth. Wisely, Jackson realizes that the audience has to relate to and care about the people involved, or his film will be nothing more than a huge Fourth of July fireworks display; and while it may be a good one, it's not enough to give his project legs. So he takes care to maintain the kind of balance that insures his film will reach and appeal to a wide audience-- and he succeeds. Depicting a cataclysmic event on screen is a challenge, and for it to work, Jackson has to keep it at least within the realm of possibility. There are those who will embrace it more readily than others-- those who have experienced an earthquake, tornado, hurricane or some such devastating event; those who have not may find it harder to become involved with what's unfolding on the screen. But rest assured, Jackson and his team have done everything humanly possible to make this viable entertainment for everyone. In the end, the filmmakers have done a terrific job of it, and should be commended for maintaining a standard of quality, rather than using this as an opportunity to exploit an unsuspecting public by offering a product unworthy of support.

Jackson's conscientious approach is aided greatly by a cast of consummate professionals, all of whom do their part in maintaining the quality of the picture, beginning with Tommy Lee Jones, who has demonstrated in film after film that he is an actor who gives 110% every time. Even in a bad film you will be hard put to find a performance by Jones that is not convincing. In his case, it's obviously a combination of talent and work ethic; if his name is on the label, it's like a Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval-- you know you're getting a quality product, and his portrayal here of Roark is no exception. Jones creates a character who is believable, playing Roark as the ordinary person in an extraordinary situation and making it entirely credible. He immerses himself so totally in the role that he makes it look easy. And when it looks that easy, it's not-- and you can take that to the bank. It's a good job by Jones, and a big part of why this movie works so well.

Anne Heche, too, gives a solid performance as Dr. Barnes, and like Jones makes the ordinary person in an extraordinary situation scenario believable. And it's gratifying to see actors of this caliber going that extra mile to create this kind of realism, when it would be so easy for them just to walk or "camp" their way through a film like this, which, of course, would reduce it to a big-budget F/X extravaganza. This is good work for which Heche (as well as Jones and the others involved here) will never get the kind of acclaim she deserves, however, inasmuch as this is a "genre" film and unworthy of any "artistic" consideration (or so the officious declare).

The supporting cast includes Gaby Hoffman (Kelly), Don Cheadle (Emmit), Jacqueline Kim (Dr. Calder), John Carroll Lynch (Stan) and Keith David (Lieutenant Fox), all of whom contribute to the success of "Volcano," a film that will make you think twice about possibilities, and the forces of nature.

Rating:
Summary: **yawn**
Review: I'll give one extra star for Tommy Lee Jones since I like him as an actor, but there was nothing memorable or exciting about this movie. Ya, movies don't concentrate too hard on realism, but this was just too far-fetched. The special effects were typical, but nothing worth getting excited about. Anne Heche's character was too monotone, & the other characters weren't very memorable either. Good movies hold your attention & keep you watching, no matter how many times you've seen them... but I get too distracted with this one. I don't even remember if I saw this in the theater or not... & I usually remember that, since I don't really see very many. I prefer Dante's Peak which goes without saying, since I've seen that one many times, & also saw that in the theater. It seemed like to me that this one was trying to outdo Dante's Peak, but bigger doesn't always mean better. Catch this on cable when you're bored if you must, but skip over it, or see Dante's Peak instead to satisfy your volcano craving.

Rating:
Summary: Good Movie
Review: I think this movie is pretty good, action, suspense, and funny at some parts. But at some of the scenes, like when they stopped the lava with a concrete barricade and water,it is completely unrealistic. But overall, it is a good movie to watch.

Rating:
Summary: Great movie
Review: I think this is the best natural disaster movie ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rating:
Summary: as george put it "My stupity finally rewarded"
Review: But could stupity be rewarding in real life? doubt it.

This movie is joke and painful to watch as some folks said.

Rating:
Summary: "Completely Underrated"
Review: Volcano is a completely underrated film with great special effects along with good acting and a so-so storyline. Give this movie a definate chance, you will be on the edge of your seat from start to finish!