Wolff rating: NOT BAD
Plot summary: Volcano menaces small town; dashing nerd tries to warn them.
Biased, pithy comments: This movie could have come in a big white box that read ``Volcano Movie.'' With overtones of ``Jaws'' and ``Twister,'' this film is breathtaking in its special effects, but dull in the mechanical clanking of the ``plot'' (though I wouldn't dignify any of it with a ``theme''). Fluffy, but entertaining. If you want to see a volcano explode, this is one to see. If you want to get a sports-utility vehicle, this might also be a good shopping trip. Still, an altogether hollow experience. Least believeable moment---scientist Pierce Brosnan ashamedly admits he hasn't been with anyone in over a year. Yeah, right; if you were a devastatingly handsome, tall, friendly engineer good with kids, do you think you'd be without a date? Oh, and guys, it's OK to kill the dog every now and then. I'm tired of movies where the pooch pulls through.
Other Notes: Visual effects supervisor gets higher billing than the screenwriter---you know you're in for it.
How many times I have seen it: x1
Starring: Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton, Charles Hallahan, Jeremy Foley, Jamie Renee Smith.
Directed by: Roger Donaldson