"This mountain's a ticking bomb."      

DANTE'S PEAK (PG-13) 

I suppose there's two ways I could go with this one.  On the one hand, I could talk about the fact that Dante's Peak is just another disaster movie, and that it doesn't offer much in the way of a unique storyline.  Very simply, a small town in Washington is threatened by Dante's Peak (a volcano), and Pierce Brosnan (a US Geological Survey expert) and Linda Hamilton (the town's mayor) struggle to save the town, and then save themselves, from the volcano's wake.  If you've seen Twister you know how it all goes...one inescapable situation after another...special effects galore...lots of debris.  Seen it, done that, right?  Right.

ON THE OTHER HAND, (here goes...) I have to say that I found Dante's Peak to be an extremely entertaining disaster movie.  Everything from the stunning special effects to the suspense and action-packed sequences in the film worked for me here, and despite the predictability of it all, I still had a lot of fun watching it.  An edge-of-your-seat roller-coaster ride--Dante's Peak offers this while presenting so many scenes where I actually asked myself, "how did they do that?" or said to myself, "they'll never get out of this one alive."  Okay, so maybe I was hooked by Dante's Peak, but considering the last disaster movie I saw (Daylight), you'll understand my enthusiasm.  If you can forgive its predictability, Dante's Peak is one to see on the big screen.  

Responses from cyberspace--thanks for writing, folks!

renefran@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "I loved this movie, and have seen it over and over again. I'm actually using this movie for one of my English papers. So I've bought the movie, and enjoy every bit of it!!!" (4/12/00)

wolfstar79@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Dante's Peak is awesome. The special FX are unreal and the reality of it (in certain parts) makes it all the better." (8/31/99)

jessfrogy@prodigy.net gives this movie  stars: "The movie was ok seen better and worse it was alot better than volcanoe. The effects were neat and the action scens were exciting but tell me how that kid drived the truck through all that ash gimme a break" (8/19/99)

guldinaye@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Pierce Brosnan really shows us what he's got on this action-packed, edge of your seat thriller, with surprises around every turn, non-stop action." (2/27/99)

tahi@juno.com gives this movie  stars: "Nope, this movie did not do it for me." (12/12/98)

Nick Black gives this movie  stars: "I love this movie its filled with action and suspence. Thats what I like in a movie." (10/31/98)

Kim gives this movie  stars: "This was the best movie i've ever seen!!! Great acting, great special affects! Pierce Brosnan is an awesome actor!(not to bad looking either!). Keep up the good work UNIVERSAL!" (10/11/98)

Jonh gives this movie  stars: "It was a great disaster movie. I love it is my best film I like Pierce Brosman and Linta Hamilton too!!!!!!! Wow!!!!!!!" (9/24/98)

seven_records@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "I thing that this movie is not like the others movies it have something special. I have see the movie fives times I a see it always. Is my best film I love Linda Hamilton too!!!!" (9/23/98)

cus55@yahoo.com gives this movie  stars. (7/3/98)

Cycilia77@aol.com gives this movie  stars: "I think Dante's Peak was one of the best movies I've ever EVER seen in my life. The visual characteristics make the movie look and sound real. I hope there is a number 2 because I love volcanoes and I plan on becoming a volcanologist. (P.S. If the people in Holywood or whatever do make a number 2, make a note to them telling them to put Pierce Brosnan in the movie.)" (3/30/98)

David gives this movie  stars: "The movie was good but it could have done a lot better!" (1/24/98)

Shelley gives this movie  stars: "It is not the type of movie that I usually watch but it really kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time I watched it. It was a awsome movie and when it comes out on video I'll be one of the first ones to pick it up. If you haven't seen it then I suggest you see it today!" (4/10/97)

blaksheeps@hotmail.com gives this movie  stars: "Dante's Peak was very disapointing. Yah, some parts were exciting(That's the whole one and a half stars) but it wasn't anything new. And some parts, like when Pierce was stuck in his truck in the caved in cave for a day or so, he lived, come on. It didn't have anything that Twister didn't have. Hay, don't get me confused as that kind of person that doesn't like action movies, but this was too fake and stupid for my taste. If your like me, don't see it, save a few bucks!" (3/14/97)

Lynzee gives this movie  stars: "This movie had awesome special effects....but a very predictable ending (why is it that the hero and heroine in any action flic are always so conveniently single??) Overall though, it was pretty cool! Oh, and what's with killing the grandma (Ruth) and then saving the dog?? Does anyone understand that?? Screenwriters!!!" (3/7/97)