Volcano (1997)

After some seismic shifts, part of LA becomes the site of active volcanic fury. Tommy Lee Jones (Batman Forever, The Fugitive) and Anne Heche (I Know What You Did Last Summer, Wag the Dog) try to save as many people as they can and try to prevent further destruction.

Along with Dante’s Peak, one of two bad volcano films of 1997. This one is by far the worse of the two, with virtually no redeeming qualities whatsoever, except perhaps wasted performances by the two fine leads. There are fireballs, explosions, and action galore, but this film could not be any duller if it were two hours of Tommy Lee snoring. This movie reportedly cost $90 million…if more than $5 of that went towards the script, they paid too much. Frankly, I can’t believe this kind of 70s disaster flick was even conceived of, much less made in the 90s.

If you like 90 minutes of schmaltzy human heroics such as people helping people, people helping dogs, dogs helping people, and dogs helping themselves, then you’re probably in for a treat. It’s kind of a high-tech version of “ER”, without the interesting storylines. And if that’s not bad enough, Harvey Levin’s voice drones on throughout as the news commentator. The makers of this film need to have their noses stuck in a scalding hot Pop Tart and told BAD BAD BAD!!! This is a film only a pyromaniac could love. 

Qwipster’s rating: D-

MPAA Rated: PG-13 for intense depiction of urban disaster and related injuries
Running Time: 104 min.

Cast: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Gaby Hoffman, Don Cheadle, Jacqui Kim
Director: Mick Jackson
Screenplay: Jerome Armstrong, Billy Ray