As a lifelong connoisseur of disaster flicks and a native Angelino myself, I have to say that “Volcano” is a must-watch for any fan of the genre. Despite its misleading title, this movie offers a gripping portrayal of Los Angeles and its resilience in the face of Mother Nature’s wrath.
On November 15, Twister will make its debut on Peacock (don’t miss it here!). This year’s thrilling tornado movie has us reminiscing about the awesome allure of science fiction disaster movies in general.
Currently available on Peacock is the 1997 blockbuster “Volcano,” much like “Twisters,” where the main threat is clearly stated in the title itself. Isn’t it a guaranteed hit? From “Sharknado” to “Lavalantula” and beyond, naming your disaster movie after the catastrophic event that sends everyone scrambling for safety is an age-old tradition.
For more on Peacock:
Top 15 Sci-Fi Films on Peacock in November 2024: Including Interstellar, Jurassic Park, and More
Volcano: Tommy Lee Jones stays unbeaten vs. Mother Nature
In the film titled “Volcano,” it’s quite clear where to focus your attention for the initial eruption of the ominous, enraged volcanic mountain. However, considering what happened, they might as well have named it “Cracked” or “Fissure.” After all, when you name a movie about a massive volcanic explosion, there should undeniably be a volcano in it—and instead, the film mainly features talented actors darting around Los Angeles, largely focused on the ground.
The movie “Volcano” doesn’t show a prominent cinder cone throughout its duration, despite being inspired by the sudden emergence of the 1943 Mexican volcano Parícutin. Instead, the primary danger comes from slow-moving lava, which becomes genuinely terrifying when it flows down Wilshire Boulevard, but can seem a bit overly dramatic when used to fuel the frantic actions of Tommy Lee Jones (as the main character) and the rest of the talented “Volcano” cast.
Joining Jones portraying his usual charming rough persona, the late Anne Heche takes on the role of a local university geologist. Don Cheadle provides significant backing as the emergency management official who keeps things in check at the office. At that time, Gaby Hoffmann played the character in peril, while Keith David was unfortunately not given enough screen time as an L.A. police lieutenant, assisting in devising the movie’s successful (yet entirely unsuspenseful) “splash water on it” strategy to prevent the city from being entirely consumed by heated chaos.
Director Mick Jackson, known for films like “L.A. Story” and “The Bodyguard”, skillfully brings to life the 1990s Los Angeles depicted in “Volcano”. The movie is filled with authentic Angelenos from various backgrounds – police officers, yuppies, homeless individuals, lazy homemakers, aggressive journalists, hardworking common folk, and even precursors to millennials. These characters are convincingly portrayed and find themselves in danger within the film. Their rapid-fire conversations mimic the ensemble dialogue reminiscent of a Robert Altman film, adding charm. The first half of the movie focuses on getting to know these characters and the city, with “Volcano” being primarily shot on location in and around Los Angeles. After about 30 minutes, the eerie cracks start to appear, leading to an hour of intense pyroclastic chaos that follows.
In the absence of a tangible mountain to flee from, the danger posed by the lava might not live up to expectations, despite its potentially awe-inspiring destructive power. To make up for this, the film Volcano increases the tension with random lava explosions that fall like meteorites from the sky, creating an amusing sound effect and covering Jones and Heche with ash, making them appear as though they’ve been wallowing in garbage rather than bravely navigating a natural catastrophe.
As a gamer, I’d say the movie is perfectly balanced between cheesy fun and a bit of over-the-top action, but the middle part gets so intense that sometimes it feels like it’s about to burst. The chaos is relentless, making it hard to keep track of the bigger storyline. But in the end, as the camera sweeps across the resilient Los Angeles cityscape, there it is – a baby cinder cone, right smack in the heart of the city. Who knows? Maybe this movie’s unique legend will one day lead to a sequel, and that baby cinder cone will finally grow into a full-blown mountain.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-11-13 03:01