Starring Tommy Lee Jones and Anne Heche Directed by Mick Jackson Rated PG-13, with profanity and lots of volcanic violence Running time 102 minutes Jack gives this film a rating of 8 out of 10

(April 25, 1997) -- Thanks to computer geeks who can make or break a world with the squeak of a mouse, disaster movies are once again all the rage. And nobody makes calamity like Mother Nature.

The grand dame struts her destructive stuff one more time in Volcano, a high-energy explosion that erupts on 2,200 movie screens this week. And if you like movies that approximate theme park rides, you gotta lava it.

Actually, the $100 million outing from director Mick Jackson is the year's second volcanic eruption -- preceded by Dante's Peak, which opened in February. If you're No. 2, you have to try harder -- and Volcano does.

First of all, the new film has tons of fun ripping apart one of America's best-known cities -- Los Angeles. (Dante's Peak took on a fictional village in the mountains -- who cares?) Here we watch the Beverly Center, Wilshire Boulevard, the LaBrea Tar Pits and other familiar sites turn molten.

Secondly, Volcano ups the disaster ante by showcasing two of nature's "treats" for the price of one. The lava here flows from an unknown underground volcano, released through cracks caused by a spectacular earthquake. Filmgoers get more bang for their bucks as L.A. shakes then bakes.

Thirdly, Volcano offers Tommy Lee Jones, a believable and likable (if cranky) action star. He brings surprising reality and depth to a cardboard character.

And last, Volcano comes equipped with the best marketing slogan I've heard in years. I hope 20th Century Fox gives a big raise to the person who came up with "the coast is toast." I actually know people who think that's the name of the movie.

All that said, is Volcano any good? Actually, based on the basic escapist formula of disaster flicks, it's darn good.

Sure, you can endlessly debate the scientific reality of lava erupting on Wilshire Boulevard; you can argue whether the L.A. residents could really combat zillions of gallons of molten goo, flowing across their town like a red-hot Jell-O Armageddon.

But to be concerned with such questions would be like worrying exactly how the technicians manage to keep the roller coaster car on the tracks. Forget it; sit back and enjoy the ride.

And except for the necessary but slow-moving first 20 minutes of exposition, Volcano never lets up. Once the goo glows, the movie goes.

Of course, all the prerequisite elements are on hand -- an undaunted hero (Jones, as the head of L.A.'s Office of Emergency Management), a child in jeopardy (his daughter, played by Gaby Hoffmann) and a resourceful woman scientist who bristles at the suggestion she can't take the same risks as a guy (Anne Heche).

Also conforming to the norm is the stubborn rival department head who pays mightily for his resistance to common sense; and not one, but TWO dogs who must somehow survive. (One mutt even manages to save his favorite dog bone -- a nice touch.)

Of course, L.A. being L.A., Jackson and his writers also throw in an over-the-top dispute between a black resident and white cop; and the script includes at least two O.J. references. And a finale that includes people of all races looking alike, thanks to a coating of ash, is a touch heavy-handed.

But even the best thrill rides have a few unpleasant bumps.