Under the lens takes a deep look at films by focusing in on one or two particular areas of the picture that helped to define it for better or for worse. Spoilers will be included in this review.
Dante’s Peak was a disaster film released in 1997, that tried to bring a real-life feel to the big-budget disaster picture scene. It commanded a large budget (116m) and had two of the most famous action stars of the 90s as leads, in Pierce Brosnan and Linda Hamilton. The pictures setting was that of a tiny American town of 7000 people, sitting in the shadow of Dante’s Peak a dormant volcano. Hamilton stars as Rachel Wando the Mayor (and owner of the local diner) of the town and Brosnan as Harry Dalton a volcanologist with a tragic past sent to check on the town. Needless to say, Dante’s Peak does not stay dormant for long and we are given the treat to a huge and exciting adventure. The film was not terribly successful at the box office but has since become a cult classic.
Under The Lens: Effects and Runtime
Effects: Dante’s Peak was an interesting picture due to the fact it used primarily practical effects and only used CGI in a few very small scenes. Much of the disaster is done with models and sets, with CGI being reserved for more wide shots involving the mountain. The effects also had a real-life feel to them with little added flair, this added to the horror of the films because it felt very real, and like this could really happen, unlike other disaster films like Volcano. It is also rather graphic given its PG13 ratings, with scenes of a character being burnt in acid, shots of bodies burnt in a hot spring, and a compound fracture of Dalton’s arm, all of this was done with practical effects as well. In the end, the effects help the film to age well, as the film looks better than many disaster pictures from just a few years ago.
Runtime: The picture runs an hour and forty-eight minutes, or around ninety-five minutes without credits. While this may seem short, the runtime is one of the films strongest points, I would liken it to a roller coaster that barely shows down, giving the audience a few mins here and there to develop our lead characters (While also giving us a few fun side characters to enjoy). As the film jumps from one setpiece to another, it almost left me breathless and clutching the sides of my seat. The picture was lean and mean with almost no fat, the script and the Director kept the focus on the real star of the film. Dante’s Peak.
Highlights
The pyroclastic flow was well captured as it descended the mountain and obliterated the town.
The lake escape was a nail-biting scene, which saw the family boating across a lake that has turned to acid, the boat is slowly sinking until they are trapped with no prop engine.
The side characters, while the film did not focus on them terribly much, it did its best to showcase the faults and personalities of the town and team members. When various ones died, you felt it more than other films.
Quotable Quotes
Harry Dalton: Well, for one thing, I move around alot. Mexico, Alaska, South America, The Philippines, New Guinea, basically where there’s a volcano with an attitude.
Something to think about
What is your favorite disaster film and why did you like it?
Conclusion
Dante’s Peak may not be one of the most well-known disaster films, however, it is one of the best. Showcasing practical effects and doing its best to be a realistic take on what would happen if a Volcano erupted in a small town. It may not be as big as San Andreas, or as outlandish and funny as Volcano (1997), but it contributes to the cannon of disaster pictures in its own unique way.
