Movies-TV

Not a bad disaster movie

The first time I saw this movie I thought it quite good, especially the roller coaster ride of the last hour or so. I saw it again and thought it not very good at all and now having seen it recently, I not bad, but not great either. It's a well done disaster movie with one challenge after another to survive being thrown at the main characters. This roller coaster ride really pulled me in and even reminded me of the very well done remake of The Fugitive, starring Harrison Ford. I'll admit some of the situations are a little hard to believe, but at least they keep the film from being boring.The chemistry between Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton, while not incredible, is still there. Also enjoyable was how the film makes use of its small town setting, including in the casting characters you'd expect to find in a small town: the female gossip, the gruff, but dedicated sheriff, and the more business-minded don't-rock-the-boat councilman. Finally, Harry (Brosnan) and Paul Dreyfus's band of colleagues also prevent the movie from being flat, but are a little too reminiscent of the characters from Twister to really leave their own mark.Also what impressed me was some of the camera work, which I think isn't given enough credit. There are a number of composite shots of the erupting volcano with the reflection (probably understood to be from a truck's window) of Rachel (Hamilton) looking back in horror that are quite well done. And the digital editing in of the volcano is also well done as well as some of the panoramas.A smaller problem I had with the movie is the development of Harry and Rachel's relationship. Initially their flirtations and the initial "getting to know each other" are quite cute. But I can't help but think why Rachel, who has been a small-town girl her whole life would be interested in someone like Harry who clearly states a that his job isn't exactly conducive to settling down. Sure Harry is everything her ex-husband isn't and it's obvious that the both of them are lonely to a degree, but it doesn't seem to me that a woman as sensible and who feels as great a responsibility as Rachel (to her kids, to the town, to her business) would find that to be enough. Also, Harry seems to get over the touchy subject of his dear departed Marianne to start making passes at Rachel in her kitchen quite quickly.My biggest problem with the movie is the writing, which is so bad in some places that it really brings down the parts in the movie where it is good. Harry's line about sex being like riding a bicycle because once you learn you never forget is laughable. Some of the Wando children's lines I found to be lacking in substance too and almost condescending to the viewer. But, as I said, not all the writing is bad: an example is the excellent delivery of a reference to Pompei by one of Harry and Paul's colleagues and another's excitement over Rachel's regular coffee deliveries.In the end, when this movie is bad, it's bad, but in general it's good.

Dante's Peak

I enjoyed this movie, lots of action in the last part of the movie. Good acting and good plot. A movie you would want for your library of DVDs.

Another Nature Movie!!

If you liked movies like Twister, the Day After Tomorrow, and Volcano, you'll love this. Not as action packed as "Volcano" was, but in my opinion a better movie as it is a bit more scientific, and holds more of a realistic plot. Great movie and I highly recommend.

A really intense movie! I was up in my seat!

I finally got to see this movie and I really liked it. I thought the story was great. A little bit of romance and action). Although I thought some parts were unrealistic. (The truck not burning up when they drove over the lava) I loved it and I think I'm adding it to my home videos.

Fizz!

When I wrote the review for "St. Helens" (1981), the heading says what the volcano did-"Boom!" Now comes "Dante's Peak" which has a volcano that did nothing but "fizz." It's a price to pay to fill the movie with impossible scenarios with the same storyline from another movie. "Dante's Peak" is only worth the wait until the video price really depreciates.

Fantastic special effects, but...

Okay, first the special effects. They're outstanding. From the very first eruption, through dams breaking, floods destroying bridges, and a stupdendous pyroclastic flow, it's some of the best effects I've ever seen in a disaster movie.

Unfortunately, there's a story that comes with it; even more unfortunately, some lamebrain decided to included DIALOGUE. God help us.

Whoever wrote the screenplay must have a pretty low opinion of the intelligence of the human species -- and especially of women. First, there's Marion, Brosnan's first love. Marion loves volcanoes, and is so much of an expert that when she sees that the volcano she's sitting on is about to blow, she wants to stay ("we can't leave now; look at these readings!") Uh , Marion, have you considered that the readings are saying that it's time to, oh, I don't know... RUN??!! No matter, she doesn't last long.

Then there's Grandma. Boy, if there was ever a senior who deserved to be put away, it's this nut. Don't ever trust someone in their seventies who says "hot nookie" in front of the grandkids. She also refuses to come off of her volcano when it's ready to explode. Maybe it's something in the water.

My favorite line, however, comes from our heroine. She's sitting out on her front porch one warm summer evening, her soon-to-be beau Brosnan by her side, her two sweet children asleep in her beds. Brosnan has told her the explosion could come any time now.She stares up at the volcano and murmurs "I hope you're wrong about our volcano, Harry -- but if you're right, I'm glad you're here." Awwww. That's nice. Of course, any decent mother would have gotten her kids on the first bus out of town... something she apparently never thought of. She also thanked Brosnan for saving her son's life by making him some eggplant parmegiana. It must be one hell of an eggplant parmegiana.

Throw in the greedy businessman, the chicken boss, a helicopter pilot who apparently was out the day they taught you not to fly in ash, and you have the townspeople of Dante's Peak. Happily, you get to see a fantastic volcanic explosion AND the reassurance that these nitwits won't pass on their dna. That alone is worth three stars.

Better than Volcano, says me

I really liked this movie. Once the action started the movie went non-stop. I was on the edge of my seat a number of times. Especially when Paul, I think it was Paul, got swept away with the bridge and also when they were in the boat that started to dissolve right out from under them. Pierce Brosnan was very good, I liked the guy who played Paul, I think it was Paul, and the children were good too. But I really liked Linda Hamilton in this. It's hard to watch a movie with her without thinking "Terminator", but I had no problem separating her from that role to this onei give this a 7/10

Fun and intense action!

Action, suspense, and intensity abide in the effects-driven disaster film "Dante's Peak," a movie that will leave you awestruck and numb. I was completely enamored by almost everything the movie had to offer, even if some of the scientific information was a bit far-fetched to make room for the plot's twists and turns. Actors bring life and a human factor to the movie, but the real action lies with the astounding special effects used to bring a volcanic eruption to vivid and detailed life.

When seismic readings and graphs point to some geologic activity going on around the small town of Dante's Peak, the United States Geological Survey sends volcanologist Harry Dalton to investigate the possibilities. His arrival brings a silent tension on the town, which becomes voiced when he, along with Mayor Rachel Wando, come across two badly scorched bodies in the local hot springs. Dalton believes that the volcano may be "waking up" from a dormant period, but his boss shows up to calm his theories and instill calm back into the town council. Of course, the movie points in all directions to the impending eruption, in subtle ways that the characters have no interaction with.

From here, the group of scientists begin taking samples, surveying the landscape as well as taking helicopter trips into the volcano to determine if the recorded activity is of any consequence for worry. Meanwhile, Harry and Rachel get close, and their delicate relationship is put in the balance when the warning signs become more fervent, forcing them to call an evacuation of the entire town. But it comes too late, and soon everyone is fleeing for their lives as the mountainous volcano begins to spew hellfire and ash into the air, destroying the landscape and casusing massive destruction that stands in the way of Harry and Rachel's escape.

"Dante's Peak" follows a very well-known pattern for the duration of its plot: a situation that has implications of disaster is presented, one person knows what it going to happen but no one listens, and then all hell breaks loose. This movie carries off this particular structure quite well: it starts out slow and then speeds up to full speed, never slowing down and heightening the suspense given us by the incredible action sequences, smart dialogue and intense and vivid special effects that are the showcase of the movie. I found myself cheering it on in places, becoming completely enamored with what was going on, and satisfied with the final outcome of the movie.

The special effects for this movie are stupendous, and add a lot to the atmosphere the movie portrays. From the moment the mountain begins erupting, the effects give us the feel that everything is larger that life, from the volcano itself to the large, expansive cloud of ash that spreads across the sky and keeps the sun from penetrating. The nice thing about this film is that most of the effects are done with miniatures, giving it a mucher richer look than if it were only done with computerized effects. The sound is incredible, bass-heavy and prominent in wrapping us up in the action. All of these elements at work put us right in the middle of the film, bringing us into the experience as we hold our breath for the next new twist.

The scientific aspect for this movie is, for the most part, authentic, and while there are certain liberties taken, it is evident that the filmmakers wished for it to be as true to life as possible. Dalton throws out a lot of technical terms and phrases, making the sincere and believable. Allusions to eruptions and catastrophes of the past give the movie a sense of foreshadowed doom, while also keeping the suspense building. The overall effect this portion of the plot will have on you is overall intellectually backed up by facts and data, which keeps the movie real to life while keeping it moving.

The two main leads for the film are excellent in their roles, adding a lot to the experience. Pierce Brosnan is the ideal Harry Dalton: rough, rugged, and totally charming. He has the image of a loner who is looking for the right person. He also has a starkly emotional human side to his personality, as is shown in the beginning sequence when he loses his fiancee in a volcanic disaster. Linda Hamilton, playing Rachel, has a complex role of leader, damsel and mother. She does all three of them at different points, and her ability to combine her performance into all of them makes her performance the best of the film.

"Dante's Peak" is the kind of movie you watch with eagerness for the next scene, and then when it's over, all you want is more. The action comes to a screeching halt, and you've been throttled with so much of it already that to have it stop is murder. The movie is one that shakes the senses, and makes us believe in movies that have romance, suspense, intense action and rousing suspense.

Thar She Blows!

I really enjoyed this DVD. I like disaster films anyway. I think because you feel the struggle to survive throughout the film and there is always HOPE, then, in the end, you feel the rush of good feelings when the hero(s) survive these tremendous odds and "win".


This movie has outstanding visual effects and it builds nicely in intensity. It reminds you generally of the Mt Saint Helens story. The storyline involves a volcano that is up in the middle of God's country and erupts in this peaceful, unprepared and unbelieving town. There's enough added info about seismic detection equipment, pyroclastic blasts, sulphur in the water, etc. that makes you feel like you might be a little smarter after watching the movie. There is the usual introduction of characters, as typical of a disaster movie, before the xxxx hits the fan. That way you get to know a little bit about their history and personality. Once it hits the fan, there is non-stop action.

There is also a great mix of personality diversity in the movie, which definitely adds to its flavor. People like the older grandmother who doesn't want to leave the mountain when its about to blow, to the greedy helicopter pilot, to the overly cautious boss, to the extra cautious volcanologist, and all the people panicking. There are even 2 kids and a dog, and a lady mayor who runs a coffee shop on the side. Realistic? Well, we KNOW that NO ONE would be greedy and capitalize on someone else's misfortune, so maybe the greedy helicopter pilot is a little extreme? :-) Of course, the hero perseveres through all kinds of unbelievable turmoil. He just keeps on going.

Seriously, the diverse personalities help to add contrast and realism. They keep you on the edge, cheering the good guys, boo-ing the bad guys, and thinking things like "Hey, whattsamattah wit you! Can't you see the mountain is gonna blow! Get outtah there!--Oh, you dummy!"


If you like disaster movies, this is a good 'un.

The featurette alone is worth the price of the DVD

The making of... featurette was worth the price of the DVD. It was well made and informative. The commentary was excellent as well. I had already owned a laser disk copy of this film when I purchased it which was well done in terms of visual and audio so purchasing the DVD definitely gave me value adds in terms of the extras.

The film itself is well done if you like drama and action thrills.

Good disaster movie

Following the box-office smash of "Twister" the year before is the first of the year's two volcano movies. Great special effects supplement a good cast, though the movie falls into formula elements once in a while. However, I have no objection to dogs surviving; in fact, I like dogs, and any movie in which a dog dies immediately receives a mark against its quality. Anyway, Pierce Brosnan does a good job as a volcanologist tasked with checking activity in a small mountain town. The mayor (Linda Hamilton) also performs well as the mayor of said town whose kids get stranded on the mountain in the path of lava and ash. Brosnan's group of fellow scientists includes a hyperactive coffee-drinker (hmmm...) and a NASA tech-tester, all of whom have to predict if a volcano is going to erupt or not. Of course, we know something they do not, otherwise we would not have a very good movie. One of the few problems is that it leeches somewhat off of "Twister's" success the previous year. Excellent opening sequence to the movie, enough humor, generally good performances from the cast and great special effects add up to a good disaster movie.Rating: 8/10

Dante's Peak should have been labeled a comedy.

My wife and I laughed so loud that she had to bite my shirt to keep from howling. The volcanic mountain, Dante's peak, never sat still in one place . . . it kept moving.The boiling to death of the Mayor's grandmother was too funny to believe. Of course, if you are an animal lover, you will most certainly appreciate the scene where the Golden Retriever was rescued from a rock three feet above a lava flow in which the rescuer's truck was sitting.Most of us living in the mountains know how to outrun a prognostic cloud (which moves at 200 MPH): start two days before the eruption and drive away like Bobby Unser in a big hurry.Aside from the unintentional comedy, and the childish screen writing, Dante's Peak was a movie. Unfortunately, when giving us a choice on how many numbers to award, you forgot to include the minus numbers . . . the producer clearly owes us points.

Dante's Peak is one of the best disaster Dvd's ever

This movie could really happen anywhere in this world and it brings home just how dangerous volcano's are.

THIS MOVIE WAS HORRIBLE

This was one of the worst movies I have ever seen in my life. Someone should tell Pierce Brosnan that not only is not James Bond anymore, but he wasn't even a very good James Bond in the first place. Linda Hamilton's only other REAL credit is the Terminator, need I say more? The Grandmother jumps into an acid lake. WHAT KIND OF LOGIC IS THAT? The 10-year-old kid can drive a standard, but can't figure out how to turn on the windshield wipers. Do NOT watch this movie unless you are fully prepared to be completly turn off at the first moment.

One of best if not best volcano movies

I'm usually not a Brosnan fan and usually don't make any particular effort to see any movie he's in, but in this movie i have to say he was quite good indeed. He played his character pretty much to perfection.And Hamilton was excellent as the mayor of a small town who found herself in a situation that she could have far preferred to have done without.I really like this volcano movie as it was done to be as scientifically accurate as possible as then known. I've seen too many volcano movies where stuff is thrown in no matter how nonsensically silly.If and when you rent or buy this movie, definitely watch the featurette in the extras section. It's quite an interesting documentary on how the actors got to be hired, how the effects were done, the trials and tribulations faced during the making, etc. It's not the usual and nauseating featurette of everyone ego stroking everyone else you find on DVDs. This is actually worth watching.I found the bit with stubborn granny up on the mountainside maybe a little bit hard to swallow. She seemed to be so rational in all other things, but she turns into a raving loony in the flash of an instant? I feel this could have been handled maybe a bit more logically for a reason to have Our Heroes up on mountainside trying to get back down before things went kaboom. But this is just my personal nitpickiness. Maybe granny really WAS suffering from senile dementia and usually hid it well enough that no one else ever knew.This movie has one of my most favorite movie moments: the mayor, who also runs a coffee shop, is serving the geologic team morning coffee and one of the characters goes, "Coffee! Coffee coffee coffee coffee...!" I have to laugh every time i see that particular scene because that's me to the tee.Two dead hooves up from me on this movie. One dead hoof for being such a "fun" disaster flick. And the other dead hoof for actually trying to make a scientifically accurate volcano movie. What a genuine pleasure it is when a scifi movie has actual, genuine science in it as opposed to some goofy, silly gibberish that the makers have decided to put in for "dramatic impact". And then the movie viewer later has to groan with agony at the sheer stupidness of it

Great way to watch a good disaster film!

Even though Dante's Peak wasn't filmed in HD it definitely benefits from the remastering. So if you're like me and enjoy watching this movie I definitely recommend the HD DVD.

A Top Grade adventure film.....except for one scene.

Dantes Peak is a top grade adventure film with good characters and brilliant special effects. The chemistry between the two leads is very good and the production values are outstanding. If only they could have edited out the one absurd scene where they drive across a lava flow. They wouldn't have gotten five feet and it makes the lead character look incredibly stupid to even try. But apart from this,the movie is eccellent and this DVD had loads of extras,including a 60 minute documentary and a commentary that isn't available in other regions.Well worth buying.

Gripping!

While it contains remarkably realistic special effects, those who have been told that "Dante's Peak" is merely a piece of "eye candy" can consider themselves among the woefully misinformed. It isn't a simple sugar-coated snack to be consumed and hastily digested; it is an elaborately composed symphony of a film. It contains riveting performances, breathtaking locales, a captivating love story and an extremely agile dog. Thus, the "eye candy" label would be ill-suited for this particularly film and more properly directed at other assembly-line disaster movies. Reader, I assure you, after one viewing you will understand: to watch "Dante's Peak" is to have your retinas treated to 109 minutes of cinematic fillet mignon.

The story involves the charmingly quaint town of Dante's Peak and its charmingly quaint inhabitants. While the town is the embodiment of peace and tranquility, there is trouble brewing beneath the surface. Geologist Harry Dalton (played with unwavering masculinity by Pierce Brosnan) and Mayor Rachel Wando (played with unwavering masculinity by Linda Hamilton) believe the town in danger of being destroyed by an unexpected eruption from the presumed-dormant neighboring volcano. Their quest to rescue the town meets resistance in the form of a stubborn city counsel, Dalton's ignorant boss and, of course, an enormous volcano.

It should be noted that "Dante's Peak" is the perfect star-vehicle for Pierce Brosnan. He is pitch-perfect as the resolute Dalton. In fact, it occurred to me while watching the film that nobody other than Brosnan could have played the role (he just looks like a "Harry Dalton," doesn't he?). In the face of Mother Nature's wrath, Brosnan provides the searing rivers of magma with a worthy human adversary. Early in the movie, his character is introduced vigorously doing a grueling set of pushups. Seeing this, we immediately think, `The volcano doesn't stand a chance.' Indeed, Brosnan is a force of nature all his own.

The film itself is an uplifting one; a tribute to the human spirit. The only thing which disappoints me is that a sequel has yet to materialize. Years have passed since the film's initial release and it has failed to escape the consciousness of movie-goers. "Dante's Peak" has given us such rich characters and wonderfully-realized scenarios, who wouldn't want to witness the further exploits of Harry Dalton & Friends? Personally, upon first viewing the film, I envisioned a trilogy. I could imagine a sequel where the U.S. government calls Dalton out of retirement to stop the potential volcanic eruption of Mount Rushmore. Perhaps in the third installment Dalton & Co. could be thrust into the deep unknown of outer space as they investigate the unusual seismic activity of a dormant volcano on Mars. These sequels, I believe, would prove to be lucrative for the studio while also satiating the overwhelming public thirst for more "Dante's Peak."

Regardless of how many sequels are made, the original film will always remain a classic. A skillfully-crafted spectacle filled with wonderful performances and indelible images, you don't have to be a geologist to realize that "Dante's Peak" is a gem.

A great advance in the sound of hd-dvd format

I've always thought that we would have "the best of both worlds" joining the picture quality of hd-dvd with the sound from blu-ray format. That's the reason I support and buy the two formats. Anyway, in this occasion I think the sound of the stuff is really great. You can feel every stone falling over your head and your roof. The story itself makes me not to rate 5 stars.

Love amid the ashes

I found this movie to be well written, fast paced and gripping. It held the attention of the entire family. Excellent choices in casting Hamilton and Brosnan. AND, 5 years after first viewing the movie, we still use Java-Java-Java-Java-Java-Cappucino ! as our coffee call. (If that makes no sense, buy the movie and find out what it means!)