| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Joe Versus The Volcano
Warner Bros. // PG // April 2, 2002
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
An odd, original and often wonderful romantic comedy, "Joe Vs. The Volcano" didn't do stunning business at the box office when it came out in 1990, but it has really gone on to become one of the most beloved of Tom Hanks' many films. The film, written and directed by first-time helmer John Patrick Shanley (writer of "Moonstruck" and a few other less-than-interesting films, such as "Congo"), is a skillfully crafted adult fairy-tale, both fantastic and grounded at once.
Tom Hanks stars as Joe, a deeply unhappy individual who walks under dark, smoky grey skies into a factory that makes the outdoors look cheery by comparison. Toiling away under fluorescent lights and drinking hideous coffee, Joe consistently feels under the weather. Bo Welch ("Men In Black")'s surreal production design in this sequence is brilliant and Stephen Goldblatt's cinematography captures this offbeat, dismal place terrifically.
Joe thinks that it couldn't possibly get any worse, but it certainly does. A doctor informs Joe that he has a rare ailment called a "brain cloud", which means that he only has a few months to live. He quickly turns, telling off his boss and asking out the secretary he's always noticed, but never said anything to (Meg Ryan).
Things take a turn for the more interesting when a millionaire (Lloyd Bridges) gives Joe an offer: jump into a volcano. The island natives believe that a man has to jump, by his own free will, into the volcano or else the fire God will sink the island. Along the way, Joe meets up with three separate Ryan characters, Dede (the secretary), Angelica (the millionaire's bratty daughter) and finally, Patricia (Ryan), a more down-to-Earth blonde who Joe begins to fall for and vice versa.
There are people who really dislike this film and while I admit that it has its faults, I really can't understand the dissaproval of a film as sweet and fresh as this one is. There are some slow stretches after Joe leaves his work, but things quickly pick up with several entertaining scenes, including a fishing sequence and a haunting typhoon sequence that starts off with a menacing green fog surrounding the boat. Afterwards, there's another fine laugh as Hanks awakes after the storm and proceeds to offer a hilarious dance to "Come Go With Me" on the makeshift raft that he and Patricia are on.
Once the film reaches the island, it does get rather silly, but it's the performances of Hanks and Ryan that keep the audiences interest when it seems as if the movie couldn't get anymore ridiculous. It's a sweet, fun romance that I still find enjoyable 12 years later.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Joe Vs. The Volcano" is presented by Warner Brothers in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen on this DVD edition. Two things about the new "2001 Digital Transfer": It is not without some minor flaws. It is also the best that I've ever seen this film look. Sharpness and detail are improved here, as well. While the picture doesn't consistently appear crystal clear, scenes such as the ones early on in the dark offices that have previously appeared hazy and murky now look crisper here.
Flaws are apparent, but not terrible: some print flaws, including some specks and a few marks, are occasionally visible. Some minimal grain is also seen during some scenes, as are a couple of slight instances of edge enhancement. No pixelation or other flaws are noticed. The film is dark on purpose during the early sequences, but eventually things become noticably brighter and the colors more vivid and bright. Overall, this isn't a fantastic presentation, but it's a very good one that fans of the film will likely be pleased with.
SOUND: "Joe Versus The Volcano" has also recieved a new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the results of which are good, if not great. The film is still a very front-heavy audio experience, as the rear speakers offer little assistance. The rears, when employed, provide some minor ambience and backing for the music, but nothing else. The music sounds quite crisp and clear, but the dialogue can surprisingly sound a little rough now and then.
MENUS: Only very basic images from the film serve as backgrounds, although the score also plays behind the main menu.
EXTRAS: Bios, trailer, original "making of" and music video.
Final Thoughts: "Joe Versus The Volcano" is an inspired, entertaining romantic comedy that, despite a few slow moments, succeeds greatly thanks to the performances of Ryan and Hanks. Warner Brothers has offered a nice DVD edition, with good audio/video, but little in the way of supplements.
An odd, original and often wonderful romantic comedy, "Joe Vs. The Volcano" didn't do stunning business at the box office when it came out in 1990, but it has really gone on to become one of the most beloved of Tom Hanks' many films. The film, written and directed by first-time helmer John Patrick Shanley (writer of "Moonstruck" and a few other less-than-interesting films, such as "Congo"), is a skillfully crafted adult fairy-tale, both fantastic and grounded at once.
Tom Hanks stars as Joe, a deeply unhappy individual who walks under dark, smoky grey skies into a factory that makes the outdoors look cheery by comparison. Toiling away under fluorescent lights and drinking hideous coffee, Joe consistently feels under the weather. Bo Welch ("Men In Black")'s surreal production design in this sequence is brilliant and Stephen Goldblatt's cinematography captures this offbeat, dismal place terrifically.
Joe thinks that it couldn't possibly get any worse, but it certainly does. A doctor informs Joe that he has a rare ailment called a "brain cloud", which means that he only has a few months to live. He quickly turns, telling off his boss and asking out the secretary he's always noticed, but never said anything to (Meg Ryan).
Things take a turn for the more interesting when a millionaire (Lloyd Bridges) gives Joe an offer: jump into a volcano. The island natives believe that a man has to jump, by his own free will, into the volcano or else the fire God will sink the island. Along the way, Joe meets up with three separate Ryan characters, Dede (the secretary), Angelica (the millionaire's bratty daughter) and finally, Patricia (Ryan), a more down-to-Earth blonde who Joe begins to fall for and vice versa.
There are people who really dislike this film and while I admit that it has its faults, I really can't understand the dissaproval of a film as sweet and fresh as this one is. There are some slow stretches after Joe leaves his work, but things quickly pick up with several entertaining scenes, including a fishing sequence and a haunting typhoon sequence that starts off with a menacing green fog surrounding the boat. Afterwards, there's another fine laugh as Hanks awakes after the storm and proceeds to offer a hilarious dance to "Come Go With Me" on the makeshift raft that he and Patricia are on.
Once the film reaches the island, it does get rather silly, but it's the performances of Hanks and Ryan that keep the audiences interest when it seems as if the movie couldn't get anymore ridiculous. It's a sweet, fun romance that I still find enjoyable 12 years later.
The DVD
VIDEO: "Joe Vs. The Volcano" is presented by Warner Brothers in 2.35:1 anamorphic widescreen on this DVD edition. Two things about the new "2001 Digital Transfer": It is not without some minor flaws. It is also the best that I've ever seen this film look. Sharpness and detail are improved here, as well. While the picture doesn't consistently appear crystal clear, scenes such as the ones early on in the dark offices that have previously appeared hazy and murky now look crisper here.
Flaws are apparent, but not terrible: some print flaws, including some specks and a few marks, are occasionally visible. Some minimal grain is also seen during some scenes, as are a couple of slight instances of edge enhancement. No pixelation or other flaws are noticed. The film is dark on purpose during the early sequences, but eventually things become noticably brighter and the colors more vivid and bright. Overall, this isn't a fantastic presentation, but it's a very good one that fans of the film will likely be pleased with.
SOUND: "Joe Versus The Volcano" has also recieved a new Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, the results of which are good, if not great. The film is still a very front-heavy audio experience, as the rear speakers offer little assistance. The rears, when employed, provide some minor ambience and backing for the music, but nothing else. The music sounds quite crisp and clear, but the dialogue can surprisingly sound a little rough now and then.
MENUS: Only very basic images from the film serve as backgrounds, although the score also plays behind the main menu.
EXTRAS: Bios, trailer, original "making of" and music video.
Final Thoughts: "Joe Versus The Volcano" is an inspired, entertaining romantic comedy that, despite a few slow moments, succeeds greatly thanks to the performances of Ryan and Hanks. Warner Brothers has offered a nice DVD edition, with good audio/video, but little in the way of supplements.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||