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Volcano

Play trailer Poster for Volcano PG-13 1997 1h 42m Action Play Trailer Watchlist
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48% Tomatometer 46 Reviews 32% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
When a massive earthquake rocks the city of Los Angeles, Emergency Management department head Mike Roark (Tommy Lee Jones) returns from his vacation to help with the city's response. After geologist Dr. Amy Barnes (Anne Heche) warns that a volcano may be forming in sewer tunnels, another severe earthquake unleashes the lava flowing underfoot, threatening to destroy the whole city. As the fiery molten rock runs through the streets, Roark and Barnes must figure out how to divert it.
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Volcano

Volcano

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Critics Consensus

Volcano's prodigious pyrotechnics and Tommy Lee Jones' crotchety sneers at lava aren't quite enough to save this routine disaster film.

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Critics Reviews

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Bill Stamets Chicago Reader 06/15/2022
Unfortunately, Volcano is also faithful to Hollywood’s legendary lack of originality... Go to Full Review
William Thomas Empire Magazine 01/08/2019
3/5
None of it makes a hell of a lot of sense and the supporting cast are wallpaper thin, but Volcano is at least hot on entertainment. Go to Full Review
David Ansen Newsweek 02/28/2018
Volcano, busily and cheerfully hysterical, always has some new fish to fry, new truck to melt, new skyscraper to tumble or new manhole to pop with a radiant gusher of movie magma. Go to Full Review
Don Shanahan Cinephile Hissy Fit Podcast 09/20/2024
Tommy Lee Jones might be trapped in this movie while Anne Heche steals the show. Go to Full Review
Danielle Solzman Solzy at the Movies 04/25/2022
4/5
The more I watch Volcano, the film holds up as the best volcano movie from 1997 with never-ending action. Go to Full Review
Louis Peitzman io9.com 01/08/2019
There's a glorious faux-plausibility to the proceedings that makes movies like Volcano all the more entertaining. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Blake- N @PBSAniDom 5d Volcano is a decent disaster film that delivers an entertaining mix of action, tension, and large-scale destruction. The concept of a volcano suddenly appearing in a major city gives the movie a unique premise that helps it stand out from other disaster films of the 1990s. The film was also inspired by the 1943 formation of the Parícutin volcano in Mexico, which adds an interesting layer of real-world inspiration behind the fictional scenario. That idea helps make the story feel more grounded despite its dramatic presentation. The special effects and disaster sequences are solid for the time, creating several memorable moments throughout the film. While some parts can feel exaggerated, the movie still maintains enough tension to stay engaging. Overall, Volcano is a decent and watchable disaster movie that succeeds mainly through its entertaining concept and fast-paced action. I would rate it a 6/10 for its effects, atmosphere, and enjoyable disaster film energy. See more Katelyn M. @katebake114 Apr 11 This movie was so chaotic! And great! I was on the edge of my seat at least 5 times! This had great twists and turns. My new favorite natural disaster movie ever! Love how much lava they included cause Dante’s peek had less lava but still great! Great casting love the affects And they made the lava look so real so if you need a good volcano movie I recommend volcano!!!!!! See more Keriel T. @kerielflacoboy Apr 11 I highly impressed with the special effect and I love the acting of Tommy Lee Jones See more Carson P @Parkerdean Mar 23 Say what you want but this is way better than Dante’s peak Tommy Lee jones is great as always and I even thiught plot and charachters were well developed it’s story is about like this disaster of a lava eruption underground and in there there’s this father daughter relation and how he has to save the people and others do so as well there are even scenes in the premise of sacrifices and I thought that was interesting it had some terrific CGI the lava flows looked pretty convincing it gets you on the edge of your seat it’s pure adrenaline and viewers should give this underrated film more praise like make more articles naming reasons that make this 1997 film a disaster blockbuster classic it’s like a Roland emmerich film it’s well directed and has enough heart beating in it’s hood it deserves a solid 8.5/10 and an A- See more Darwin A @TASM2012 Mar 12 Mi película favorita de todos los tiempos, nuca me canso de verla, tiene unos VFX excelentes y un excelente Tommy Lee Jones que siempre salva las películas en las que aparece y la película va directo al grano y no se anda con rodemos. En conclusión, una excelente película, muy recomendable. See more William W @RT66515145 Oct 31 A criminally underrated disaster classics See more Read all reviews
Volcano

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Movie Info

Synopsis When a massive earthquake rocks the city of Los Angeles, Emergency Management department head Mike Roark (Tommy Lee Jones) returns from his vacation to help with the city's response. After geologist Dr. Amy Barnes (Anne Heche) warns that a volcano may be forming in sewer tunnels, another severe earthquake unleashes the lava flowing underfoot, threatening to destroy the whole city. As the fiery molten rock runs through the streets, Roark and Barnes must figure out how to divert it.
Director
Mick Jackson
Producer
Neal H. Moritz, Andrew Z. Davis
Screenwriter
Jerome Armstrong, Billy Ray
Distributor
Fox, 20th Century Fox
Production Co
20th Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures
Rating
PG-13
Genre
Action
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Apr 25, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Mar 1, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA)
$47.5M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.85:1)