At the Peak of Disaster Films: a Review of "Dante's Peak"

By: Lisa Koosis
Submitted: 2007-01-17 10:59:22
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher |

Rating:

 

"Dante's Peak" does for disaster movie fans what a hot fudge sundae does for a chocolate addict. It satisfies you immensely and then makes you want to come back for more. This afternoon, while sitting at home looking at all the housework that needs to be done, I decided to watch "Dante's Peak" for probably the twelfth or thirteen time since it first hit the big screen.

"Dante's Peak" stars Pierce Brosnan as Harry Dalton, a scientist from the U.S. Geological Survey. Harry, who lost his fianc?e in a volcanic eruption several years before, is sent to "Dante's Peak", a quiet town in the Cascades, where a dormant volcano overshadows the nations second best place to live -- population under 20,000.

After two deaths (backpackers boiled while bathing in Twonset hot springs), and a suspiciously acidic water level in the lake, Harry wants to put "Dante's Peak" on alert. His boss, Paul, thinks otherwise. Of course, in the middle of all this is a potential multi-million dollar investor. Politics, politics...

Starring alongside Pierce Brosnan is Linda Hamilton, who plays Rachel Wando, a small town mayor and single mom of two. Hamilton is better remembered as the pumped-up mom in the Terminator movies. I've liked Linda Hamilton's work ever since her Beauty and the Beast days. I'm not saying she's an Oscar-caliber actress, but she turns in a solid performance time and again, and it's nice to see her in a softer role.

Brosnan, on the other had, I've always had a healthy dislike of, even in his better roles, such as in the perennial favorite, "Mrs. Doubtfire." Brosnan is, however, perfect for his role in "Dante's Peak", and even I can't take this away from him. The two stars have good chemistry -- very subtle -- and it adds to the movie, rather than detracting from it.

"Dante's Peak" does a great job of building suspense and holding it there -- much better than Volcano which was released in theaters at approximately the same time and with a similar theme. The suspense builds from the time the unsuspecting backpackers are cooked, and when the geologists are ready to pack it up, certain that there will be no action from this volcano, viewers know that this idyllic town is cooked as well.

Evacuation begins, but of course, Wando's two children (played beautifully by Jamie Renee Smith and Jeremy Foley) have taken off on a wild ride up the mountain to rescue their brutally independent grandmother. Harry and Rachel take off after them and they all end up in the devil's layer itself -- the very heart of "Dante's Peak".

This movie has some wonderful special effects. The pyroclastic cloud is incredibly believable, and the pyrotechnics will steal your breath. But it's the more focused, personal moments that are really gripping in "Dante's Peak", such as the boat scene. Anyone who's seen the film will know just the scene I'm talking about -- and for those of you who haven't, I won't ruin it. This scene was wonderfully original, and easily one of the most suspenseful moments in any movie ever. Row, row, row your boat... After a dozen viewings, I still sit on the edge of my seat for those few moments.

One thing I never really noticed in my many watchings of "Dante's Peak" was the music -- and it's really very good. I've always found that the mark of a good musical score for a film is that it isn't obtrusive -- that you don't really know it's there. Still, take a moment while you're watching "Dante's Peak", close your eyes, and listen to the music. It's beautiful, orchestral music which swells and ebbs at just the right moments. I'd buy the soundtrack.

As far as believability goes, well no, "Dante's Peak" is not always 100% credible. What movie of this type is? Disaster movies do tend to be formulaic. I've seen this time and again. If you're willing to suspend your disbelief at times, you'll enjoy it immensely. Stretch your imagination -- and for those of you who've seen "Twister," there is nothing in "Dante's Peak" worse than the concept of a "suck zone" for scientific believability. Do I believe a tire-less vehicle could outrun a pyroclastic cloud? Who cares? That's the whole fun of "Dante's Peak".

This is, on the whole, a remarkably well put-together movie, and I don't wholly understand all the criticism it has received. This type of movie is supposed to be great fun -- no nitpickers allowed. And if you're car shopping -- well, then it would also make a great commercial for SUVs.

This is the perfect movie for a Friday night. Make some popcorn and gather together in your very safe living room and pop in the video. For adrenaline addicts, technophiles, and disaster fans alike, it's a wild ride through this volcanic eruption.

Lisa is an author on http://www.Writing.Com/ which is a site for Writers.

Article source: Expert Articles