Volcano (1997 film)

The film is set in Los Angeles, where a series of mysterious tremors and a methane gas explosion in the La Brea Tar Pits signal an impending volcanic eruption. Mike Roark (Tommy Lee Jones), the head of the city's Office of Emergency Management, and geologist Dr. Amy Barnes (Anne Heche) discover that a volcano is forming in the La Brea Tar Pits. As lava erupts and flows through the streets, Roark and Barnes must coordinate rescue efforts and devise a plan to divert the lava away from populated areas. They ultimately use a collapsed freeway and demolition to channel the lava into the Pacific Ocean, saving the city from destruction.¹

Volcano was produced by 20th Century Fox and Centropolis Entertainment, with a budget of approximately $90 million. The film was shot in Los Angeles, using practical effects and miniatures for the lava scenes. The production faced challenges due to the simultaneous release of another volcano-themed film, Dante's Peak, which was released earlier in 1997. The visual effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic and other studios, and the film's score was composed by Alan Silvestri.²

The cast includes Tommy Lee Jones as Mike Roark, Anne Heche as Dr. Amy Barnes, Gaby Hoffmann as Kelly Roark, Don Cheadle as Emmit Reese, and Jacqueline Kim as Dr. Jaye Calder. The film also features John Carroll Lynch as Stan Olber, and Keith David as Lieutenant Ed Fox. The performances were generally praised, with critics noting the chemistry between Jones and Heche.³

Volcano received mixed reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 49% approval rating based on 51 reviews, with an average rating of 5.2/10. The consensus states: "Volcano is a disaster movie that delivers on spectacle but lacks character depth." Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale. Despite mixed reviews, the film was a box office success, grossing $122 million worldwide.⁴

Volcano is notable for its depiction of a volcanic eruption in an urban setting, a scenario that is scientifically improbable but has been used in other media. The film's production was rushed to beat the release of Dante's Peak, leading to a competitive race between the two studios. The film features a cameo by actor Richard Schiff as a NASA scientist. Additionally, the film's special effects team used a combination of real fire and computer-generated imagery to create the lava flows, and some of the lava was actually simulated using a mixture of cellulose and water. The film also sparked discussions about the lack of volcanic preparedness in major cities, and it has been referenced in popular culture, including in the TV show The Simpsons.⁵

La Brea Tar Pits

A group of tar pits in Los Angeles, California, known for preserving Ice Age fossils.

Office of Emergency Management

A city agency responsible for coordinating response to disasters.

Lava

Molten rock that erupts from a volcano and flows across the ground.