AvdW

The story and setting is believable enough; the action scenes are also well enough to pass the test. Still, the able Korean cast is put against a 2nd rate European cast which pulls this movie down. The dialog in English and German is just sad; Not speaking Korean, I hope the Korean part was better. There was some nice location and camera work involved. So all in all: bad movie that is entertaining. Do see this movie, but do not expect a masterpiece; just relax and enjoy the action (and keep up with who is who, from where and where). If only they could have contracted a German or American top actor; if only they secured some Berlin money in exchange for some shots of that beautiful city. I smell a Hollywood remake (which will be better).

I always watch disaster movies, but 9 out of 10 they turn out to be disasters themselves. This movie was no exception to that rule. The story is simple (as it should be): Mother Earth shows her wrath and has no mercy doing it. The president of the US (who else, as no other country seems to be affected — Hawaii being the US) takes charge and assembles a team of experts to tell what is going on and provide a solution to the problem. No complaints from me there. But why oh why does the daughter of the president have to happen to assist the doctor who treats the wife of the FEMA rescuer who saves his own wife who happens to be in the same building as the father of the scientist in charge who happens to be the discredited geologist who happens to have the 'solution' (no spoiler intended), all supervised by the daughter of the FEMA director who happens to be in direct contact with the president (to come full circle)? To cut it short: suspension of disbelieve is not something thought about thoroughly by the filmmakers.

But that's story wise; in a disaster movie you expect disaster to take place, and indeed is does. The special effects and computer graphics are good (for a TV movie at least). No cardboard boxes, or Styrofoam walls flying around (not too obviously anyway), and the CGI is up-to-date. But then again the story line (or rather the suspension of disbelieve) cuts in: the imagery on the computer screens at the geological crisis center are good quality, but unrealistic; the distance people and helicopters are maneuvering from exposed lava or occurring earthquakes is sheer impossible; not to mention the small amount of people that apparently are actually caught in the disaster (admittedly, the number of extras swarming the make-shift medical rescue centers is impressive).

Overall the movie shows rather realistic disasters, but that is all it does. There's no real science in the movie, there's no real personal drama (should I care for a person just because he/she is introduced to me?), and there is no satisfactory ending (yeah, yeah, we shall overcome …).

A fine cast of actors and an interesting story does not always provide a good film. Where did it go wrong? The main characters were amply explored for a comedy; the elements were there for an intrigue sur plus; the pretty people were there for a light romance that would make the coldest heart melt; if one were murdered it could have been a real crime flick. But it just did not happen. The acting is good. The story keeps you going. It might even tear you up, if you are willing. The comedy works at several instances. The drama will question you on human relations. But in the end it comes up short on all cinematographic fields it tries to explore. Bummer! There's a good film hiding in there somewhere.

Die Hard, Under Siege, Death Train, even Runaway Train, it has been done. Throw in a cute non-violent activist who falls for he wrong -- yes terrorist -- guy and you've got a mediocre movie. All the morally flawed characters are killed off and no one in the audience sheds a tear (perhaps when the helicopter is shot down, but I doubt it). Nice to see the hero kill off the bad guy, but not prevent the actual disaster from happening. That was maybe the only original twist (if you can speak of a twist) of the story. 'Seconds to Spare' fades away to a bad video game when comparing the Australian ACIA to the CTU unit in '24', 'Death Train' or even 'The Cassandra Crossing' Still, for a TV movie all ingredients were there and delivered. Nice predictable pastime, but that is all. Tolerable

A fine line up of actors and a seemingly nice plot -- though not original -- promised me a nice evening in front of the TV. I was disappointed. The actors delivered up to standard (Juliette Lewis cuddly as ever; William Hurt solid but in the background; Shelley Duvall convincing as ever) but the story was too thin to keep me engaged to the story and, the twist to the finale was too obvious and too late; there was only one character who was nice to he girl, so guess what?! Then the final after-twist… I do not know what to think of that. The boyfriend and the neighbor? Contract with the Devil, or just to get her to move in? What! The film had a nice idea behind it, but the idea was not worked out in detail. It could have been good, but it was not. Too many loose ends to tie up, Columbo would say.

First off, I am no fan of musicals, but this was garbage. Why take two fine actors and have them sing? Would anybody have watched this if Kidman and McGregor weren't in it? The story was probably barfed up on a Sunday afternoon. Was there one original thought or score in the whole thing? Why take a nice little song by Elton John and have it proclaimed dully by Ewan McGregor and Richard Roxburgh? I choked on my drink when the guy kept shouting 'Roxanne!' like he had lost his dog. Too many questions (but too small to care). Hey Lady! you're coughing up blood; I'd ask the doctor about that. Hey Christian! can't you wait until the show is over? People have paid good money to see it. Hey Zidler! The little ho is dying; not too smart to put on a show with her leading, now is it? As long as we're borrowing: why not take out your light saber to prevent her from going to the dark side? This one is on my blacklist.