Disaster films are intriguing pictures because audiences will either enjoy them for the special effects and the famous actors involved, or dislike them for the over-the-top acting and the inaccuracies in the scientific scenarios.The Towering InfernoandThe Poseidon Adventureare examples of memorable disaster pictures that contained large ensemble casts and visual effects that were impressive during the 1970s. In the late 90s, disaster films had a resurgence, especially in 1997 whenDante’s PeakandVolcanowere two volcano films released a couple of months apart.
Dante’s PeakandVolcanoare by no means great masterpieces because they are cheesy and overly dramatic features, but they are entertaining in terms of seeing good actors portraying individuals who are courageous and tough when facing dangerous obstacles, including the challenge of surviving a volcanic eruption. The visual effects involving the volcanoes in each film also appear more realistic than in previous disaster pictures due to the advancements in CGI.
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Every Disaster Picture Needs The Right Cast
Both volcano films contain appealing actors that can hold an audience’s interest, especially in massive productions. InDante’s Peak, Pierce Brosnan (who also continuedhis successful run as James Bondin 1997 withTomorrow Never Dies) is the heroic protagonist named Harry Dalton, who works as a volcanologist investigating seismic activity in the small town of Dante’s Peak, Washington. InVolcano, Tommy Lee Jones (an expert in drama and action films likeThe Fugitive) plays Mike Roark, the leader of an emergency crisis team, who works with firefighters, police officers, and other public city workers in Los Angeles to stop a volcano from causing destruction everywhere in the city. Both of these protagonists are strong and intelligent men who act and think quickly in dangerous situations, and correctly sense when catastrophe is around the corner.
Each film also has a tough female character. For Harry Dalton, he meets the mayor of Dante’s Peak named Rachel Wando (played by Linda Hamilton fromthe sci-fi classicThe Terminator), who’s down to Earth and generous, especially since she’s a mother of two children and owns her own little diner. Mike Roark works with a geologist and seismologist named Amy Barnes (portrayed by Anne Heche), who constantly warns him about how hot and strong the volcano is forming in L.A. For both films, each pair has chemistry, but the bond between Harry and Rachel is stronger because they are given enough time to know each other, while Mike and Amy primarily talk and work together during the volcanic eruption.
Harry Dalton is also a more redemptive character because, at the beginning ofDante’s Peak, Harry is seen trying to escape from a volcano, but is heartbroken when he loses his fiancée, which is why he’s determined to protect Rachel (the woman he falls in love with now) and her family in their current situation. InVolcano, Mike isa character who isn’t given as much backstorycompared to Dalton (only that Mike is separated from his wife and tries to be around for his daughter). However, Mike is also determined because he wants to make sure his child is safe, while also trying to monitor the issues going on around the city.
Disaster Films Show How Human Nature Is Impacted By Catastrophic Events
Both volcano films also show how people can react negatively and divisively towards each other when a disaster of such a high magnitude occurs. The rich mostly care about themselves and their own investments toward their respective settings, while the lower class citizens are fearful of losing their homes and/or struggle to find safety and medical attention. WhileDante’s Peakmostly shows people trying to escape the volcano, with Harry helping Rachel and her family escape as well,Volcanodisplays more camaraderie, especially when Mike and Amy work with every cop and firefighter in L.A. to try and barricade the volcanic lava from spreading further into the city. Doctors are also shown treating hundreds of injured people, and industrial workers trying to rescue individuals from a non-working train.
Each film also contains a crew that works with the protagonist, along with computers and tech that can monitor volcanoes, as well as phones for constant communication. Harry is a member of the United States Geological Survey (USGS), while Mike is the director of L.A.’s Office of Emergency Management (O.E.M.). InDante’s Peak, Harry and his superior, Paul Dreyfus, have disagreements over how serious the seismic activity is, and of course, Harry correctly anticipates that the town is in danger and Paul admits he was wrong. InVolcano, Mike communicates with his O.E.M. team by phone, specifically O.E.M. assistant director Emmett Reese (played by Don Cheadle who’s best known as War Machine in the MCU) in order to keep track of injured people and damaged property.
The Visual Effects Became More Advanced In Disaster Movies During The 1990s
The special effects in both films may be loud and over-the-top at times, but they’re also well-structured in depicting the probable dangers surrounding volcanoes (not that these films are by any means 100% realistic). The effects inDante’s Peakappear more grounded and practical due to the fact that the setting occurs in a small country town that’s near the mountain where the volcano occurs. InVolcano,the CGI effects seem more bombasticdue to the tremendous amount of lava shown (not much lava was shown inDante’s Peak), as well as several buildings torn apart since this film takes place in a large urban city with a higher population.
Dante’s PeakandVolcanoaren’t great films, but they’re entertaining disaster features that contain strong actors and more advanced special effects for their time. If volcano films aren’t enough,James Cameron’sTitaniccapped off 1997 as arguably the best disaster epic ever made, proving that 90s disaster movies paved the way for effects-driven films in the 21st century.
