Skyfire

Just watched this movie on DVD and have to say I was impressed despite the formulaic storyline ...... "dormant" volcano, estranged father and daughter central characters with a background of personal tragedy, scientist who no one believes, arrogant businessman, luxury resort built at bottom of volcano, "dormant" volcano erupts resulting in mayhem, destruction, endangered tourists and local villagers, spectacular special effects and highly improbable narrow escapes which defy the laws of physics and nature. The movie nods strongly towards Dante's Peak and the old 1970s disaster movie When Time Ran Out. It's not Shakespeare or a classic but it's not pretending to be. It's escapism and entertainment. At only 90 minutes long the action starts pretty early on at 34 minutes and continues at a relentless pace. The first 34 minutes establish who's who, relationships between characters and also contain a very unique marriage proposal. I have seen reviews slating the special effects but I disagree strongly ..... the special effects are amazing, on par with a Hollywood blockbuster as does the filming and cinematography. There is also a rousing musical score, the main theme and opening credits rank among some of the best movie openings ever in my humble opinion. The three female main characters all provide great eye candy too. The Chinese have made some great movies and TV shows over the years. This is no exception and had it been made in Hollywood may have been promoted as a blockbuster release.

If you like disaster films like 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow, this is a film you will love. Special effects are on par with Hollywood but the acting in many cases was better as there was no pandering to egos. Ignore the fact it's subtitled and watch it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas. 4/12/21.

For a start, Skyfire was never meant to be an Oscar winner, or a film that made you question the meaning of life, or even one that had you reaching for the tissues to dry your eyes. But, what it was meant to do, was to allow you 90 minutes to just relax, to forget all the troubles of the world, and to let you enjoy one hell of a rollercoasting romp of a ride, that had, almost everything except the aforementioned qualities of a big budget movie. Obviously, the world isn't China's biggest fan right now, but in these uncertain times, we have to be thankful for anything that makes us forget the bad stuff around us, and Skyfire dies just that. Directed by Simon West, written by Wei Bu and Sidney King, and, more than ably acted by Xueqi Wang, Hannah Quinlivan, Shaun Do and Jason Isaacs, Skyfire dies exactly what it says on the tin. With a thrill ride/leisure park set on the side of, and on top of an active volcano, an in-debt owner and his wife, and a bunch of K-pop boy/girl band lookalikes attempting to flee the 'said' erupting volcano by manner of all sorts of vehicles and directions, and with CGI that would not look our if place in a Hollywood movie, Skyfire didn't disappoint one bit. Just leave your brain at the door, engage your heart into it's action parameters, and then just enjoy the ride. It's crazy, awesome and fun!

If you like disaster films like 2012 and The Day After Tomorrow, this is a film you will love. Special effects are on par with Hollywood but the acting in many cases was better as there was no pandering to egos. Ignore the fact it's subtitled and watch it. James Welch Henderson Arkansas. 4/12/21.

The plot of the film is very hackneyed. Nothing new: Scientist haunted by her past and her relationship with her father. Tourist promoter who does not attend to reasons. Succession of events that we all expect and actions more of superheroes than of ordinary people.

Similar film been made by Hollywood 20 years ago and China now make a new one. I would say this one just cannot make as good as Hollywood 20 years ago in terms of visual effect. Start the nonsense now. 1) Explosion without a sign; 2) Stupid Human error cause a sudden drop ; 3) biz man decided to open a theme part next to volcano. All things just too hard to accept to me or the producer thinks the audience are moron? It's a typical movie for excitement but just too hard to convince me the baseline. I rate 2 just because I'm Chinese to support. Sad.

This movie is unintentionally funny with it's totally impossible stunts to what I assume are mix ups in language translation. Jason Isaacs was excellent, as usual.