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Joe Versus the Volcano
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Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Binding: VHS Tape
EAN: 9780790741390
Format: Closed-captioned, Color, HiFi Sound, Original recording reissued, NTSC
ISBN: 0790741393
Label: Warner Home Video
Languages: English (Original Language), Analog
Manufacturer: Warner Home Video
Number Of Items: 1
Publisher: Warner Home Video
Release Date: April 06, 1999
Running Time: 102 minutes
Studio: Warner Home Video
Theatrical Release Date: March 09, 1990
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Editorial Review:
Joe Versus the Volcano is a true early-1990s cult film. This fantasy-comedy was the first pairing of Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, yet it polarizes viewers like a Blue Velvet or Happiness. As the only directorial effort from John Patrick Shanley (the Oscar-winning writer of Moonstruck), it is something special, and it's hard to resist the film's feather-light heart tugging. Joe Banks is having the life sucked out of him at a dead-end job. Miserable in his gray surroundings with stark fluorescent lighting, Joe dreams of being brave again. A visit to the doctor reveals that he has a "brain cloud." It's fatal, but he'll be fine for a few more months. An eccentric millionaire, Samuel Harvey Graynamore (Lloyd Bridges), hears of Joe's predicament and comes to him with a proposal: The people of the Pacific island of Waponi Woo need a human sacrifice to appease their gods. Why not live like a king for a few weeks, then throw yourself into a volcano? (Graynamore needs a sacrificial victim to offer in exchange for permission to mine the island for a rare mineral.) Joe accepts Graynamore's lavish proposal and on his journey meets three romantic possibilities (all played by Ryan). Joe embraces life; so does the movie. It's packed with smile-inducing supporting performances by Bridges, Ossie Davis, Robert Stack, and Dan Hedaya; playful songs ("Sixteen Tons," "Ol' Man River," Presley's version of "Blue Moon"); and amusing scenes (such as Joe buying luggage). Add the daring, imaginative production design of Bo Welch (Edward Scissorhands), Hanks and Ryan's chemistry, and Georges Delerue's romantic music and you have a film to fall for. --Doug Thomas
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Joe vs. the Volcano
Joe vs. the Volcano is an excellent "little" movie that defies categorization and is in my all-time top five films. Written and directed by John Shanley this is sort of an adventure, kind of a romantic comedy, and also a spiritual odessy all wrapped up into one entertaining film. Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan play their roles well and are surrounded by other notables: Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack,Carol Kane, Dan Hedaya, Ossie Davis, Abe Viggoda, Amanda Plummer, to name just a few who play their minor roles ... Read More
Rating:  - Silly concept but hey it's Tom and Meg!
Joe Versus the Volcano is one wacky film of the '90s. This was the first film with Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan, the other two are Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail. This particular film is not as good as the other two but still engaging. Hanks and Ryan have the most amazing chemistry together, you can't take your eyes off of them. The concept is so silly but hey this a romantic comedy, you can call this film a guilty pleasure of sorts.
Rating: - Overlooked Masterpiece
Great story, dry humor, fine acting, and campy effects. Who knew that sharks growled? As far as the DVD goes, my copy had the disc's picture printed twice; one on top, and slightly askew of the other. Amazon quickly replaced it at no cost to myself. I wasn't about to argue that with them.
Rating: - If you missed this film, see it now
Why this film isn't on more top ten lists is beyond me. There are so many reasons to like it. First, it's the quintessential "get up the nerve to quit your job" movie, or maybe just get the nerve to make a fresh start. A fable for adults, it features a shopping spree, a trip to the tropics, a makeover and some philosophical dialogue you can take with you--for example, the "everyone's asleep" speech. The script is penned by the writer of Moonstruck and features some great music by Ray Charles, Sergio ... Read More
Rating: - Funny
To this day, me and my brother still recite lines from this movie. Like, "Not a nice place you got here, Joe. You mind if I call you Joe? Dingy!" Then proceeds to put a hole through Joe's wall with his cane. Hilarious! There is nothing I dont like about this movie, right down to the wha-pony woo's.
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