Highly entertaining

Rating: Null/10 (24 May 2005)

That is, in speaking terms of modern DISASTER MOVIES. Fans of high-brow-cinema are bound to be disappointed, but they also should know better than to stay away from GENRE movies. Such as this, low grade action, slashers and porn. So here we have your basic disaster movie. The plot is the same as always: an everyman scientist knows that a volcano/earthquake/tsunami(whatever) is about to strike an inhabited area or that a nearby dam/bridge is about to collapse. He tries to warn people and get them to evacuate, but no-one believes him. However, he himself can't leave because his ex-wife/love interest/kid is in jeopardy. The disaster strikes, killing 90% of the people. The rest of the movie we follow a nuclear group, led by the scientist and usually accompanied by a smart dog, fighting to get out of the situation. We also see at least one good soul sacrificing his life for the common good *snif*.
Basically, all you need to know in movies like this are the following: - Did the casting do a good job and can the actors get something out of their cardboard characters. Here: YES - Are the effects any good? Here: YES - Boring patronizing or good-natured roller-coaster-ride. Here: LATTER - Is the situation believable. Here: NO. But it does have a point. Environmental message, but not rubbed on your face. Unless you want to take it that way...
As a bonus - No damn dogs on sight! - Tongue in cheek- humor. Might be unintentional, but I like it anyway.