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Dante's Peak Customer Reviews (31 - 33 of 35 Reviews)

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.

An excellent natural disaster flick.
I saw DANTE'S PEAK in science class and it's very good! Pierce Brosnan (the new James Bond), stars as Harry Dalton, a geologist (an expert on volcanos) who comes to this beautiful town in Washington state that's highly populated to research a volcano next to the town which is said to be extinct, but Harry discovers that this volcano is still active, and it's only a matter of short time when this volcano will erupt. Harry tries to get the town's attention, but hardly anybody believes him except for the town's mayor, Rachel Wando (Linda Hamilton), until it is too late. Now, Harry does whatever he can to save Rachel (whom he's secretly falling in love with), her two young children, and the children's grandmother and get them out of the town and far away from the volcano. Harry desparately tries to get Rachel and her family to safety because several years ago, his wife died while they were trying to escape another erupting volcano and doesn't want the same thing happening to Rachel.

Yes, this is a natural disaster movie and some of it is politically incorrect, but it is still a fun movie to watch. The performances are especially excellent, especially by Pierce Brosnan, Linda Hamilton, and the two children. The visual and sound effects are truly superb and a thrill ride! There is a good storyline to it, as well. DANTE'S PEAK will keep you on the edge of your seat.

This collector's edition DVD is awesome! It has behind-the-scenes, deleated scenes, interviews, and much more. The sound on the DVD is top quality, and so is the picture quality. If you are into natural disaster flicks, then DANTE'S PEAK is for you!

Master of Disaster
Actually, the best part of this Golden Turkey is when the town
gets wiped out by a pyroclastic flow-I cheered for the volcano!

Hilariously bad performances from a cast who should have known
better, but then, maybe they needed the money.....!

Grab a bowl of popcorn, and enjoy this turkey!

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