Rating: 
Summary: "Once upon a Time" People!
Review: A lot of people trashed this movie as being "unrealistic." Well, DUH! It starts with "Once upon a time there was a guy named Joe." There is some excellent acting from Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (playing THREE extremely different characters!!!!) and the performances of the supporting actors (Dan Hedaya, Ossie Davis, Lloyd Bridges) are priceless as well.
If you have the brain to look for them, there are some really deep insights and life-affirming moments in this film.
One of my true favorites that I can watch over and over again.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe the best Hanks/Ryan movie
Review: Joe Banks is in a dead end job and going nowhere. Then he learns that he has a terminal condition called a "brain cloud" and has only a few months to live. An eccentric millionaire offers to let him "live like a king, die like a man" if he'll jump into a volcano on the island of Waponi Woo (he gets mineral rights from the islanders in exchange for the human sacrifice to appease the gods). He gets several credit cards and a plane ticket and is off on an incredible journey.I'll be the first to admit this is a corny movie - at least on the surface. Upon watching it a few more times there's a lot of philisophical stuff there, but it's still a very funny movie. One scene in the beginning has Joe's boss on the phone and he keeps repeating the same phrases over and over. The funny part is that I've heard conversations just like that on the job. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (and Meg Ryan, and Meg Ryan) are great together. Ryan shows good versatility in the 3 roles she plays, and Hanks is simply great. One of my favorite movies - one I highly recommend for a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: original and inspiring
Review: A friend gave me this film years ago. At first I was not sure if I liked it. And then, I watched it again and again. It is a story that opens one's eyes, heart and mind. It made me see the world as hilarious and profound at the same time. And John Patrick Shanley, who wrote and directed this film, presents the story in such a subtle and affecting way. I wish he wrote and directed more movies. I am curious what he would do next. Sometimes I wonder what happened to Joe after he went on his next journey "away from the things of man." I am not a big fan of Hanks or Ryan. It is the story that is amazing. I am glad I was able to get it on DVD as my VHS tape is barely alive. Now, if they only released the soundtrack!
Rating:
Summary: "Like a prince in a fairy tale."
Review: I love this movie for many reasons. First, it's my favorite movie starring Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (I never could get into Sleepless in Seatle or You've Got Mail). Second, it's definitely one of the top 10 most romantic movies I've ever seen. But probably the real reason why I love this movie is the reason for repeat viewing that most people miss. Let me tell you about two of my favorite types of movies. On the one hand, you have movies that try to take the fantastic (alien invasions, monsters, time travel, magic) and make it seem real. On the other hand, you have movies that try to take the "real world" and make it seem fantastic. This movie defintely falls into the latter category. It's not set in a far off land long ago, the main characters aren't knights and damsels in distress. Or are they??? Take a close look, listen carefully to the dialog. What is never quite spelled out, but often hinted at... is the fact that this IS a fairy tale. Our hero Joe starts out in this movie like a brave knight (he was a fireman who rescued people remember) who has been captured and imprisoned in a dark dungeon (his terrible job). He is tricked into believing his life is over by the mountain king (the head of a company looking for a rare earth element), and offered great riches (life of luxury for a short while) in exchange for slaying the evil dragon (jumping into the volcano). Of course along the way he meets a beautiful princess (Meg Ryan) and love ensues. This movie is a perfect example of an old story told in an interesting and unique way. Seemingly everyone in this story is a strange and lovably character, and the theme of a love that keeps trying to find you is bound to appeal to anyone who considers themself a true romantic. The wonderful mood setting music and excellent color photography are just the icing on the cake for this interesting, heart warming, funny, (deep?) feel-good movie. Everyone should at least see this movie once. And now that it's on dvd and you can finally see it widescreen the way it was meant to be seen. Joe vs. the Volcano: Truly what great movies are all about.
Rating: 
Summary: Sweet, silly film--a good choice for a family movie night
Review: I honestly don't understand why this film didn't have more success at the box office. There are so few family films, and those that are billed as such don't offer nearly the warmth and meaning this one offers. "Joe vs. the Volcano" is right up there with "The Princess Bride" as one of the all-time great films with all-age appeal. It's wonderful blend of romanticism and silliness is perfect for school-age kids. The only sour note is the odd choice of Yiddish natives addicted to a particular soft drink--the humor's just a little forced for my tastes. I'm not a Meg Ryan fan at all, but she's tolerable, almost likeable, in this. And while it's great to see Tom Hanks now getting the recognition he deserves, his goofy appeal is a perfect match for the very quotable quirky dialogue. A definite must-have for the family library.
Rating:
Summary: Maybe the best Hanks/Ryan movie
Review: Joe Banks is in a dead end job and going nowhere. Then he learns that he has a terminal condition called a "brain cloud" and has only a few months to live. An eccentric millionaire offers to let him "live like a king, die like a man" if he'll jump into a volcano on the island of Waponi Woo (he gets mineral rights from the islanders in exchange for the human sacrifice to appease the gods). He gets several credit cards and a plane ticket and is off on an incredible journey. I'll be the first to admit this is a corny movie - at least on the surface. Upon watching it a few more times there's a lot of philisophical stuff there, but it's still a very funny movie. One scene in the beginning has Joe's boss on the phone and he keeps repeating the same phrases over and over. The funny part is that I've heard conversations just like that on the job. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan (and Meg Ryan, and Meg Ryan) are great together. Ryan shows good versatility in the 3 roles she plays, and Hanks is simply great. One of my favorite movies - one I highly recommend for a good laugh.
Rating:
Summary: Joe Versus Joe (And Wins!)...
Review: Joe Banks (Tom Hanks) is doomed. He not only works for the most despicable boss at the most horrible job since the slave-driven corporation in "Metropolis", he has also found out that he is dying from a rare condition called a "brain cloud". Thankfully, Joe is visited by the filthy rich owner of a super-conductor manufacturing company (Lloyd Bridges), who wants Joe to go to the island of Waponi Woo and jump into a volcano to appease the god of the Waponi people; so he can secure the mining rights of a rare mineral he needs. This is in exchange for unlimited funds for Joe and the guarantee of high adventure. Joe accepts the offer and sets out on the journey of his life. Meg Ryan plays three very distinct roles as the women Joe encounters on his way. This is truly an oddysey of discovery. Full of humor, romance, miracles, great music, and unexpected events, JOE VERSUS THE VOLCANO is not a typical romantic comedy. If you have ever once fantasized about telling your boss to get bent, or have ever wanted to just quit your job, take off, and live like there's no tomorrow, then watch this movie right now! I would advise you to buy some water-tight steamer trunks for the trip. They come in VERY handy! Highly recommended...
Rating: 
Summary: Grab the Orange Soda! It's "Sleepless in the South Pacific"!
Review: For those of you familiar with later Tom Hanks/Meg Ryan movies such as "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've got Mail", "Joe Versus the Volcano" is the movie that started it all, for good or ill. Tom Hanks is a down-on-his-luck guy who gets fired from his job and diagnosed with a fake terminal illness, only to be duped into promising to jump into a volcano by a wealthy mining tycoon. Meg Ryan plays 3 parts, but most convincingly that of Hanks' cruise director and principal love interest. Add to that a raft of everything-proof luggage and an unstable island full of orange soda-guzzling natives and watch the romantic comedy hijinks ensue!
As far as these types of movies go, it's pretty standard fare. The movie is low budget enough so that you can rule out any real technical innovation, and was done at a time when both Hanks and Ryan were at that uncertain point in their careers when they were considered competent without being particularly bankable. True to typecasting, Hanks is the earnestly striving everyman and Ryan is sweet and charming, and they go through the most gosh-darned amazing things to end up falling in love.
If nothing else, it's interesting to see Hanks before triumphs like "Apollo 13", "Forrest Gump" and "Saving Private Ryan", and realize that he was as good then as he is now, if much less appreciated.
Like others have said here: you either love this movie or you hate it. I, for one, happen to like it.
Rating:
Summary: Great for the goofy and open-minded!
Review: OK, I understand that a lot of people have trouble connecting to this movie, but it's probably because most people don't see plays anymore. It doesn't force-feed the comedy to people as americans are used to. This is a cute, pithy play shot as a movie. I found it delightful, mildly thought-provoking, and would recommend it as a great rental.
Rating:
Summary: comedy of volcanic porportions
Review: This is an odd little movie, that appears to be more of a play than anything else. The first 5 minutes are perhaps the funniest five minutes of any movie ever made. There are several layers of humor to this movie, so watch it more than once. The jokes don't get old. Plus, it is one more chance for all the Hanks/Ryan fans to sit back and watch the on-screen chemisty that has made the duo so amazingly popular. For those of you who start this thinking you have just rented a "b grade" movie keep watching. The filming and lighting at the beginning are all part of the joke and there is nothing "B-Grade" about it. Have fun with this one.
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