MovieChat Forums > Joe Versus the Volcano (1990) Discussion > I lost interest after the second 'third'

I lost interest after the second 'third'

posted 18 years ago by Mr.Bell
6 replies | jump to latest

This movie was just on TV.

As soon as Meg Ryan's character #3 appears and they are sat in that cheap boat set before a cloth backdrop sunset, I gave up. Before that, I couldn't believe how amazing the movie was, how unHollywood it was for a big budget US production and I was blown away by how bold it was visually. I also couldn't believe Meg Ryan can act!!

However, as soon as "nice", bland and blonde Meg Ryan appeared looking like she'd just walked out of an issue of VANITY FAIR, the whole thing became uninteresting. From that point on, I didn't care what happened and had no desire to watch the remainder of the film. The first two thirds were so progressive, final third backward as the cheesiest Hollywood schmaltz and a betrayal of what the film set out to achieve. I'm guessing Hanks and Ryan got it on and Joe didn't jump into the Volcano. Please let me know if I am wrong.

[–] sativa417 18 years ago

you're wrong. should have finished watching if you were enjoying it as much as you say. I'm curious how you can say the final third was a betrayal, etc if you didn't watch it.

[–] Mr.Bell 18 years ago

Final third became about boring, beautiful people in a trivial make believe world, first two thirds were about real people in an extreme depiction of the real world.

Thanks for telling me the film isn't what I predicted- I am intrigued to watch it all the way through now, next I get the chance!

[–] nimrod_insomniac 18 years ago

I agree with Mr. Bell to some extent. The movie certainly seemed to lose its momemtum in the final third, which seemed incredably disjointed from the first two. I'm sure this was intended, as the character of joe was growing throughout, but it didnt really seem to sit at ease with the enjoyable first half.

Also, with the arrival of the island the film descended into the ridiculous. I am aware that this is essentially a family film, but I found the tribe to be far too childish in comparison to the rest of the film, neither interesting, or remotely funny.

The ending was also a bit of a dissapointment, and seemed like a bit of a cop-out, although I am aware that ending a family film with a double human sacrifice probably wouldnt sit too well with the audience!

All in all i was entertained by the film, but also left distinctly unsatisfied.

not awful, but by no means good.

[–] trendelle 17 years ago

Also, with the arrival of the island the film descended into the ridiculous. I am aware that this is essentially a family film, but I found the tribe to be far too childish in comparison to the rest of the film, neither interesting, or remotely funny.

Yes, I feel the same way. The first two-thirds were completely brilliant and inspired and original, the last third -- or more precisely, the point where the islanders appear -- is horribly disappointing, unfunny in the extreme.

I still like the film because of those first two-thirds, but it's regrettable how it ended.

[–] itlyb 17 years ago

well, the sacrifice of a whole island with a tribe on it isn't exactly hippy happy, either.

[–] swusterb 17 years ago

I liked the final third of the film. Joe wakes up and goes on an adventure foreshadowed by the books he shows his boos earlier in the film. The final part is like Peter Pan, finding that inner child, and embracing a far more adventurous, and thusly far more enjoyable, life.