Rating: 
Summary: COMPLETE rip-off of "St. Helens", just better FX
Review: Young vulcanologist goes to small town, scares the local businessmen with his talk of possible eruption; his own boss doesn't take him seriously and stupidly assures the local people that there is no danger; they go into the cone to take readings and almost die; feisty old person doesn't want to leave the mountain....how many more similarities do you need?
Dante's Peak is more or less a re-write of St. Helens, the 1981 film with Art Carney. Of course, modern technology makes this a much more explosive, dramatic movie. Modern technology unfortunately can't make it less goofy.
Rating: 
Summary: Dante's Peak - Great Volcano Movie
Review: To put it short and sweet, Dante's Peak is a pretty darn good movie about Volcanic activity. Sure it fudges the laws of physics a little here and there, but the special effects are phenomenal for the movie, nothing compares. Volcano, staring Tommy Lee Jones, also debuted the same year, but it really doesn't compare. Being a Geographer, and working toward Volcanology myself, this movie uses good terminology and for the most part is pretty realistic on what really happens in a Volcanic explosion, at least of Composite Volcanoes. I give the movie 5 stars... the acting is excellent, the special effects great, and overall keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Rating: 
Summary: Now that is a pyroclastic cloud.
Review: Sure, the first half starts out slow, but unlike most disaster movies that take that time to develop cardboard characters that aren't half as important as the CGI mayhem that befalls them, DANTE'S PEAK does it just right. By the time the volcano does its thing (done well acctually, the second half of the film is relentlessly paced) we care about the people this disaster has engulfed. This is a great movie with solid performances and some tensely exciting action not to mention solid fx. DVD is chocked full of extras and looks and sounds great. A superb addition to any collection.
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable, watched on tv
Review: I saw this movie on tv, although I remember mom and dad rented it once, I saw like the second half. I feel like it was a fun rental, didn't remember much except different scenes, and by far the special effects are great. There aren't alot of volcano movies, there's that one with that guy, and the lava is coming, so they build a ditch. I don't have a clue, sylvester stalloyn or something, I don't know who it was. I honestly liked this movie though. Don't think it tried too hard to be the smash hit of all time, but was good. Linda Hamiliton was in my favorite movie of all time, T2. Pierce Brosdon or whatever was in Golden-eye which was alright. I feel his later bonds are quite boring compared to Golden-eye or whatever, but hes cool in this. The lava is crazy cool, a bit boring at times when we think there is nothing wrong, then there is an explosion and the whole place is burnt to the ground. I loved the smoke from the volcano when you first see it. And the big smoke cloud chasing them looks cool from far away. I enjoyed the movie though. Good to just not think about anything except escaping that lava. Relaxing, action movie. There aren't alot of action movies that rock anymore, I mean when was the last time you saw a cool movie about natural disasters. Go rent the movie, I wouldn't reccomend buying it, but I think it is fun enough to rent.
Rating:
Summary: This is a family favorite.
Review: This is a movie that my whole family enjoys, except for one part that we "fast forward" through... that is the part where grandma gets eaten up by acid.
Rating:
Summary: SEX IN WATER : HOT BUT DANGEROUS
Review: Let's return to the catastroph movies of the seventies. Now special effects have improved, there's more money in the business and the audience waits for such films. Roger Donaldson made a correct movie with the written material he had but extremely anonymous ; a dozen hollywood directors could have been able to direct this movie. The beginning of Dante's peak made me think of Jaws. You know ! there's only one guy in town who sees the catastroph coming and nobody is listening to him. Except the audience, of course ! Linda Hamilton is great, Pierce Brosnan stony as always, the scenery wonderful and the volcano mean and hot. A DVD to rent when it's cold outside
Rating:
Summary: Above-average acting, good plot, excellent special effects
Review: I remember seeing this movie in the theater, and I think the signature moment, for whatever reason, was when the elevated ramp leading onto the interstate buckled and collapsed during the volcanic earthquake preceding the main eruption. It was so unexpected, so horrific (people in cars plunging to their death when the road literally falls out from beneath them), and yet so realistic -- this would obviously happen during an earthquake. The entire earthquake sequence was so violent and devastating -- the way buildings just collapsed outward into the street, etc. It was awesome to watch on the big screen. The pyroclastic flow was remarkably well-done -- a volcanic eruption is among the most viciously powerful displays in nature, and the filmmakers did an exceedingly good job of showing this. I agree with numerous other reviewers that the "driving over the molten lava" was completely ridiculous -- the tires indeed melted, but I would think the gas tank would explode, and just the sheer heat would cause the vehicle itself to fail structurally. Oh well. The dog leaping into the truck at the last possible second was inordinately cheesy, as was Pierce Brosnan's "oh you rascally little scamp!" facial expression when this happened. The whole sequence is horrible, truly. Apart from those few minutes, however, the movie is very enjoyable and well-paced. I seriously doubt a vehicle without tires (or even with them) could outrun a pyroclastic flow through narrow town streets, but they managed to make it look pretty realistic all the same. Brosnan and Linda Hamilton both turned in really good performances. Hamilton was particularly effective and believable as a town mayor, a vulnerable woman abandoned by her husband, and a good mother. The kids were entirely convincing, too, and their presence added a great element to the story (much like the two kids in Jurassic Park did). For the squeamish, there's a part at the end where Brosnan's character suffers a compound fracture of his arm bone, and it's grisly to see. I shudder every time. All in all, this is a great movie, very escapist, and although completely fabricated in some ways, altogether scientific and realistic in others. The music is also great and fits in very well. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Spectacular Disaster Film!!!
Review: With brilliant photography and special effects, if you're a fan of disaster films, this is one for your collection, or even viewing pleasure. Played aptly well by Pierce Brosnan, he is sent to investigate the reoccuring scientific data which suggests that "Dante's Peak," the local volcano, is getting ready to blow its lid. Linda Hamilton is the local sheriff, and she's not convinced, and after just getting the award for citizen of the year, she's not about to blow that, either. When the volcano breaks, it's like being there and fleeing it yourself. The acting is intense, and the special effects are even more intense, and to watch the scene where Brosnan and Hamilton and her children are riding down the mountain while the volcano is erupting is worth the price of the film. It starts off very pastoral and explodes into wide-eyed action. I was riveted to my seat, and I hope I never have to experience that which I saw on the film. Great movie!!!
Rating:
Summary: Does what it sets out to do
Review: This isn't Shakespeare, and it isn't "Citizen Kane." What it is, is a solidly-made disaster film that makes you believe all this is possible, and it's believable because the film-makers did their homework. The picture also benefits from solid work by Pierce Brosnan (who proves he can carry a big action film even when he's not playing Bond) and Linda Hamilton (who it's nice to see playing a regular woman for a change). The special effects deliver the goods, but the most suspenseful sequence is the boat crossing the lake. This picture just wants to entertain you, and it does what it sets out to do.
Rating:
Summary: Best Disaster Film EVER
Review: I have just seen this movie, and it was just great! Special Effects were perfect-The lava looked like lava, the ash looked like ash-and even more so to me since I'm studying volcanoes and can say 'Hey! I know that!' When some scientific mumbo-jumbo comes on. Even if you don't know all your volcanic vocab, the visual and sound effects teaches itself. The pyroclastic flow was amazing, and I was really impressed. And except for once or twice, it was totally believable. None of the actors ruined it with wooden acting, but they seemed to go exactly along with the story! Best disaster film EVER!
|
