Volcano: Critic Reviews

Like the substantially better Twister, this film insists on a thunderous, exhausting pace that inevitably becomes deflating.

Hundreds of screen technicians obviously slaved on the effects -- and for what? A dopey subplot about a bogus arrest. Soap opera involving Jones' injured daughter.

Volcano is an absolutely standard, assembly-line undertaking; no wonder one of the extras is reading a paperback titled "Screenwriting Made Easy."

Never generates a head of true excitement, partly because the characters remain constructs designed to perform defined functions, and partly due to the time-worn hokiness of the whole disaster-film format.

A flatulent blast of superheated air from the seething bowels of Hollywood...

This is one of the best pure disaster movies ever made (not that it has much competition). Congratulations to director Mick Jackson for a job well done.

The coast may be toast, but it's the lava, covering everything like a malevolent tide of melted butter, that makes this a disaster picture that's tastier than usual.

Pre-millennium tension is still the best explanation for the recent tidal wave of disaster movies--which hasn't made it any less boring.

not mean to be taken seriously

Jones and Heche work hard to dig up an emotional rapport from next to nothing, while the slow but inexorable progress of the lava makes for more suspense than the usual slam bang firework display.

[The characters] aren't people; they're mere objects to stick in front of the flowing lava.

The star is, of course, the volcano effects. Seeing the coast become toast may be the biggest draw for audiences to this routine F/X extravaganza.

Movie bombs L.A. with lava, audience with stupidity

The special effects are impressive and the acting by Jones and Heche is good, although their roles didn't require much skill or inspiration.

The film, about a volcano erupting in downtown Los Angeles, is helped immeasurably by veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones, who has enough charm and charisma to rescue just about any movie. He needs it all to save this one.

On its own escapist terms, Volcano dishes up a textbook serving of low-I.Q., high-energy entertainment.

A host of characters is introduced in the opening scenes, but Volcano doesn't know what to do with them. It can't make us care.

The action, the effects and tough-as-nails Tommy Lee provide a worthwhile thrill ride -- even if the last drop wasn't as big as you thought it would be.

gives us the bare minimums needed for a story and then lets the lava flow

Memorable? Hardly, but the main actors are worth seeing, and that first act has so much promise it almost makes you want to forgive them for blowing the second.