Jones and Heche work hard to dig up an emotional rapport from next to nothing, while the slow but inexorable progress of the lava makes for more suspense than the usual slam bang firework display.
Comment
01/26/06
Volcano (1997)
36
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:36
Fresh:13
Rotten:23
Average Rating:4.8/10
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins
Genre: Action/Adventure
Synopsis: When an earthquake triggers a giant burst of lava from the La Brea Tar Pits, sending great spews of lava all over various Los Angeles neighborhoods and causing all manner of flaming magma mayhem,... [More]
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Anne Heche, Gaby Hoffmann, Don Cheadle
Director: Mick Jackson
Reviews for Volcano
Top CriticPre-millennium tension is still the best explanation for the recent tidal wave of disaster movies--which hasn't made it any less boring.
09/05/09
Never generates a head of true excitement, partly because the characters remain constructs designed to perform defined functions, and partly due to the time-worn hokiness of the whole disaster-film format.
03/26/09
Top Criticnot mean to be taken seriously
02/02/08
[The characters] aren't people; they're mere objects to stick in front of the flowing lava.
10/03/05
The star is, of course, the volcano effects. Seeing the coast become toast may be the biggest draw for audiences to this routine F/X extravaganza.
04/09/05
Movie bombs L.A. with lava, audience with stupidity
06/23/04
The special effects are impressive and the acting by Jones and Heche is good, although their roles didn't require much skill or inspiration.
10/14/03
No review available.
05/20/03
The film, about a volcano erupting in downtown Los Angeles, is helped immeasurably by veteran actor Tommy Lee Jones, who has enough charm and charisma to rescue just about any movie. He needs it all to save this one.
03/16/03
No review available.
12/30/02
On its own escapist terms, Volcano dishes up a textbook serving of low-I.Q., high-energy entertainment.
10/15/02
A host of characters is introduced in the opening scenes, but Volcano doesn't know what to do with them. It can't make us care.
06/18/02
The action, the effects and tough-as-nails Tommy Lee provide a worthwhile thrill ride -- even if the last drop wasn't as big as you thought it would be.
06/05/02
No review available.
04/12/02
Top Criticgives us the bare minimums needed for a story and then lets the lava flow
02/27/01
The coast may be toast, but it's the lava, covering everything like a malevolent tide of melted butter, that makes this a disaster picture that's tastier than usual.
02/14/01
Top CriticOh, there's nothing like a natural disaster to bring people together!
01/01/00
A flatulent blast of superheated air from the seething bowels of Hollywood...
01/01/00
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube 
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
Competitions
Get the Flixster App Now
Download it from iTunes and get Tomatometer scores straight to your iPhone.
RSS Feeds
