Rating: 
Summary: A Disaster of a disaster film.
Review: It's got everything. Human characters with dumb backstories. LA officals blind to the fact that their city is on top of a volcano, and a non-existent screenplay, loaded with effects to try and salave this big roasted on lava, turkey film.
Rating: 
Summary: Mindless action thriller.
Review: First there was "Twister," which gained audiences by its spectacular visual display of intense special effects that set the standard for realism. Next came "Dante's Peak," which took a serious appraoch to a volcanic eruption with terrific visuals and a credible storyline. Then we have "Volcano," which is a basic like-it-or-hate-it disaster flick in which a volcano erupts in the middle of Los Angeles. The story, let it be known, stretches the envelope immensely, and the special effects are mediocre, but the actors and crew take the movie seriously and treat it that way in their acting and production. The city of Los Angeles is home to the rich, the indigent, and the good and bad sides of American culture. Everyone has something to do in the big city. Dr. Jaye Calder is an emergency physician with a husband who would rather her show her financial success off through working at another hospital. Mike Roarke is the director of operations at the disaster relief center, and when four city workers are killed in an underground explosion, questions begin to rise as to the nature of the blast. Upon further exploration of the underground tunnel, Roarke employs the services of Dr. Amy Barnes, a local geologist who informs Roarke of the possibility of volcanic activity underneath the city. Soon, all hell breaks loose when the La Brea Tar Pits erupt in a fiery fury of lava and ash that has the entire west side of the city running for their lives, and firefighters and city officials struggling to stop the endless lava flow. While there are certain scientific elements of the story that are true, the movie does have a high credulity factor that requires audiences to suspend disbelief when the action picks up. The idea that volcanic activity can exist under the city of Los Angeles is a bit preposterous, but nonetheless exciting and enjoyable to watch onscreen. Barnes and Roarke talk a lot about geological activity in general, especially when the lava begins flowing, and for the most part, it seems like the only reason for the technical words and phrases is to keep the fictional action moving and somewhat concealed. But however you take it, the movie is pretty much packed with action and does keep moving. The special effects do leave a good bit to be desired in comparison to the disaster movies before it. This is due in part to the fact that the movie is mostly lava-laden effects, where as in "Dante's Peak," there was more ash and smoke involved, allowing for better miniature effects. Lava is computer-generated, so it has its moments of reality, but mostly comes off looking cheesy. The first half is the best of the effects show, and the lava pouring down Wilshire looks and moves like real lava. The second half is the cheese fest, and when the lava bursts out of the streets, it makes you think of the movies from the fifties. There is also a sense that the movie is slightly underachieved throughout. This could've been a big, booming, no-holds-barred disaster movie where a giant looming mountain bursts forth, knocking over skyscrapers and destroying most of th city in a brash explosion of top-notch special effects. Instead, the filmmakers take a routine approach, settling for an obstacle that the characters can easily overcome, and an ending that really doesn't live up to the standards of the rest of the film. This movie had the potential to break all the rules and create something that would amount to nothing but utter shock and awe, but fell into the pitfalls of Hollywood glitz. No matter what, though, the actors and filmmakers all treat the movie very seriously, and the performances and production all make the film a little better. Tommy Lee Jones plays Mike Roarke, the typical guy who takes everything seriously while trying to raise a daughter. This is Tommy Lee Jones at his better side, playing the hero instead of the jerk like his character in "The Client." Anne Heche is the irrepressible Dr. Amy Barnes, the smart and snappy little vixen geologist who knows exactly what she's talking about when it comes to her field of study; Heche adds authenticity to the role. Gaby Hoffman does what she can with the role of Kelly, Roarke's daughter, who is the stereotypical teenager who is rebellious on the outside, yet wants the safety of a parent in intense situations. Jacqueline Kim is perhaps the best of all, playing Dr. Jaye Calder, who ignores her husband's constant requests that she stop her practice of saving lives in the midst of the mayhem. In summation, the movie stretches believability, but makes for an acceptable action thriller that does keep a good amount of suspense moving throughout. The performances and acting make it better, though the film is overall underachieved.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Movie
Review: A volcano in the middle of L.A.? Not likely. But thats what happens in this action flick starring Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche. This movie blends both a good plot and acting by Jones and Heche. That is what makes it so believable. This movie is very good, if you want to kill a couple hours with mindless fun. Special FX:4.5/5 Acting:4.5/5 Final Grade:A-
Rating:
Summary: Good action... utterly unbelievable
Review: If you just want a well done, by-the-numbers, action flick then by all means watch Volcano. It moves well and is never boring. Though you may be laughing over the ridiculousness of Firemen fighting fires while hot lava is moving inexorably towards them. It is also rather ridiculous to watch a line of concrete barriers stop a lava flow. It is even more ridiculous to see Firemen standing only a couple of feet from the lava flows. Or to see a bus divert a lava flow. Lava would simply destroy these impediments in short order. The fleet of water bearing helicopters could drop water for two days and never begin to cool the lava, the physics are just impossible. The movie also conveniently ignores the plume of deadly gases that accompany an eruption, killing people for a substantial radius. Enjoy this as a popcorn, no thinking allowed, action flick and it works. It at least doesn't commit the unforgivable movie crime of being boring.
Rating:
Summary: Two thumbs down
Review: SOOOOOOOOOOO BAD ! Tommy Lee Jones showed his usual lack of range, basically playing the same character as always. I was expecting him to start looking for Harrison Ford any minute. And a volcano in LA ? Are we supposed to so stupid that will believe anything ? Or were they just too lazy to go on location? Every scene was incredibly predictable, and of course each close call came right to the last second. Basically, this movie is an insult to the viewer's intelligence.
Rating: 
Summary: A First Rate Disaster Film, Never Dull For A Moment
Review: "Volcano" is a first rate disaster film, it is exciting all the way through to the very end. The effects are very good the compliment the movie well. Both Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche turn in good performaneces. Out of all the disaster films released in the 1990's this one is the best.
Rating:
Summary: Action-filled
Review: Action-filled disaster movie. The tension begins right from the start and builds from there to the explosive ending with impressive pyrotechnics along the way.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Disaster Movie with Great FX
Review: Volcano is definately better than Dante's Peak. Though the story lacked strength, the director still manages to create a good action-packed disaster movie. The scenes of destruction and devastation were amazing and well executed. Tommy Lee Jones is great as the emergency chief trying to stop the lava from destroying LA. The special effects were impressive. The DVD is very good. The picture quality is sharp and the sound will definately surprise you.
Rating:
Summary: VOLCANO ROCKS L.A. & DVD!
Review: I see it at the theater,rented on video and finally I bought it on DVD!this is a awesome movie,cool lava flowing the street of L.A. is like the real lava.Tommy Lee is a wonderful actor and also Anne Heche too.The DVD transfer is also awesome,good sharp picture quality and sound.This is the DVD to get for your home theater system.
Rating:
Summary: Tommy Lee vs. the Volcano
Review: To paraphrase Homer Simpson, my personal Buddha, if they're ever going to pull the plug on me, I just hope Tommy Lee Jones is in my corner. It's the stare, the leathery skin, the level tone of voice that could reassure a tax cheat. In Volcano, the guy not only gets to save a city, but he also finds the time to be one helluva dad. As city official Mike Roark, Jones evokes the kind of serenity and persuasiveness that turns catastrophes into miracles. I wonder if he'd consider adopting me. A metropolis gone mad confronts the head of the O.E.M. (Office of Emergency Management). Roark is a St. Louis boy and looks rather at out of his element when the La Brea tar pits begin billowing buckets of steam. Geologist Amy Barnes (Anne Heche) plays nothing but concern, particularly after a fellow scientist is virtually swallowed by red gunk pouring from the earth's core. Naturally, Roark and Barnes team up to try and curb the lethal liquid, but Roark's teenage daughter is in peril and the career man must quickly decide which responsibility he'll deal with first. This latest lava-charged disaster flick proves once and for all that L.A. is no place for sane people. Forget the flash floods, mud slides, forest fires and occasional race riots. You ain't seen nothin' until you watch a fire truck melt into the molten surf on Wilshire Boulevard. Volcano's special effects are fab--a combo of model work and computer imaging; the story is unremarkable but solid. And while there are a few trite patches in the "Can't we all just get along" vain, it's Jones who keeps the whole sh-bang from coming apart. As he's done in a a boatload of movies in the past, he's able to rise above the well-worn material and create something slightly special. Hey, it's no Earthquake, folks (What is?), but Volcano is destined to be summer's first monster hit. Deservedly so.
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