Four years after losing his partner during a volcano eruption, volcanologist Harry Dalton is asked to look into a famously dormant volcano that is showing signs of prominent eruption.
Upon arrival, his instincts kick in and demands the town be put on alert. The locals
Direction
Quite impressive for the most parts from Roger Donaldson. This film does have a more realistic narrative than the ‘other’ Volcano movie (what was that one called???).
There are some big ups, from the late in the film pyroclastic cloud devastation of the town. This is very impressive work, and holds up with some films almost 30 years later.
There are some downs from some fairly aged green-screen (when Ruth’s cabin burns down and when the gang are watching Paul on the bridge.
I also thought the “Rachel’s reflection” in the car window looking at the eruption was a little dated, but remember loving it when it was released in 1997.
Cast/Characters
Pierce Brosnan plays Harry, who plays a realistic hero and outdoorsy type. He was right in his heyday of his James Bond era.
Linda Hamilton plays Rachel Wando the mayor of Dante’s Peak – who like Harry is a lonely soul. While she wasn’t written to be a damsel in distress – I thought they could have done better with her – especially since she was Sarah Connor just a few years earlier.
The two have good chemistry together, and this is assisted by their screen presence and Brosnan’s clear charisma. He even has some nice moments with her kids too.
Screenplay/Setting/Themes
The majority of the film takes place in the fictional town of Dante’s Peak, which is actually filmed in the lovely looking town of Wallace Idaho. It looks as though many of the towns buildings were made into miniatures for the late in the film destruction scene.
There is the normal “doesn’t believe” the hero trope, with both the townspeople, Harry’s boss and Grandma Ruth failing to believe Harry’s warnings of imminent danger, and Harry’s boss taking over from him (but he stays in town anyway). Of course, his hunch is right!
The pacing of the film struggles at times, especially as it draws out the start of the destruction. The build up to the action is done well for the most parts, much like the following year’s two asteroid movies. This being the Deep Impact, to Volcano’s Armageddon.
There is a scene in the first half where Harry is taking readings at the top of the volcano with one of his team. The tension with Terry climbing down, is written to be overly dramatic and doesn’t provide the audience with what the writers intended.
There of course is the typical ‘action kills’ with innocents clearly plot kills (the freeway collapse being the main culprit). But there are also the necessity kills, one being Harry’s boss Paul, and the other – going against convention – Grandma Ruth! At least the dog survived.
I quite liked how they foreshadowed the ending with ELF, and how its introduced early – THANKYOU NASA!
Score/Soundtrack
A nice score by James newton Howard, but it is fairly forgettable.
Overall
The first of 1997’s volcano movies to hit theaters, is also the better of the two. With more heart, and better narrative tension. Not without its faults, but a very solid film that holds up to modern standards.
3.5/5
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Ryan's Movie Reviews 