VOLCANO
A film review by Tim Voon
Copyright 1997 Tim Voon
Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Don Cheadle, John Corbett, Keith David, Gaby Hoffmann, Jacqui Kim, John Carroll Lynch Director: Mick Jackson Producers: Neal Moritz and Andrew Davis Screenplay: Jerome Armstrong and Billy Ray
It's not a 'volcano' as we know it. More the beginnings of one leaking lava into L.A.
The movie jumps straight into lava erupting into the city. This is a big mistake because it leaves no room for the rest of the movie to move to a higher level of tension. What you see at the beginning is the same thing you see at the end. Too much lava and burned bodies.
The human rescue scenes are also clumsily contrived. With the victims positioning themselves near lava pools and collapsing buildings, waiting, no asking for disaster to hit them. Then pathetically needing to be rescued. The hero's daughter annoyed me the most as she just stands and screams when she sees lava moving towards her. Disappointing, when all the other little heroines of 1997 are kicking velociraptors and helping to save ships.
There is nothing to rejoice about. The day may be saved, but the battle has only just begun. A volcano has been woken, so pack your bags and leave L.A.
Comment: A special effect junky's food fest, which is about the same level as burning shoe soles - ouch!
Timothy Voon e-mail: stirling@netlink.com.au
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