Pompeii

Summit Entertainment | Release Date: February 21, 2014

5.2	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 223 Ratings

USER RATING DISTRIBUTION

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Review this movie

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Please sign in or create an account before writing a review.

Check box if your review contains spoilers

0 characters (5000 max)

User Reviews

User score By date Most helpful

NintendoRob1498Feb 22, 2014

Pompeii may contain infamous love clichés amidst the ongoing destruction from Vesuvius, yet it still houses numerous thrilling scenes. Aside from the rushed “Titanic” romance plot to accompany the bland and “purely historical” event, thePompeii may contain infamous love clichés amidst the ongoing destruction from Vesuvius, yet it still houses numerous thrilling scenes. Aside from the rushed “Titanic” romance plot to accompany the bland and “purely historical” event, the movie is able to to demonstrate enough of the qualities needed to fit into the “disaster” genre. From enticing gladiator battle scenes to the detailed factual layout of the ancient city, it's hard to view the film from a purely negative standpoint. “Oh, Pompeii? The blasts of the ominous volcano disrupt the action of the movie and drown out the dialogue.” What?! You payed to see an action movie, an I can't even recall a conversation during one of the few mini-quakes. I'm pretty sure that a volcanic eruption revolves around explosions of pyroclastic material and ensuing tsunamis. Nonetheless, the anticipated eruption met my expectations after waiting for the first hour through terse lines, droll humor, and one-dimensional characters. Bringing back the aforementioned, at least Anderson made an an attempt to bring in some sort of script to accompany the hundreds of deaths from fiery meteors in a short thirty minute animated film. In the end, what historically resulted, intertwined with an average storyline, was achieved and that is all that matters. If you want a mere documentary, then this movie is not for you.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

MyNameIsHumanMay 13, 2014

I just returned from the cinema and I have to say that this movie is just amazing. The effects and the storyline are also really good. I don't really understand why people gave it such a bad score. LOL

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

All this user's reviews

djniceyMay 13, 2014

This film was way better than I expected it to be. Obviously it isn't going to win any Oscars but it was an entertaining disaster movie with some great effects.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

NexuseponaMar 3, 2014

It was an all right movie for me, presumably because I had no expectations towards it at all. I've used to be a reenactor of Celts living in the Carpathians, so my eyebrows run up a few times during the movie ( Celtic horse tribe? Seriously?It was an all right movie for me, presumably because I had no expectations towards it at all. I've used to be a reenactor of Celts living in the Carpathians, so my eyebrows run up a few times during the movie ( Celtic horse tribe? Seriously? Not even chariots, just plain cavalry? Sound VERY unlikely), but about just as many times I was pleased with the historical details, I didn't pay for a documentary, did I?

Acting was all right, not very complex, but the story wasn't overcomplicated ether. It was refreshing to see some new, or not so widely known actors.

I'm no fan of 3D, planned to watch it without, but ended up with it and actually this time I liked it. It wasn't as disturbing as usual, in some cases, I even liked it. (mind the eruption of a volcano)

Not a must seen movie, but a safe way to spend your free time with something that you will enjoy… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

pmart4Oct 8, 2014

I don't really get all the harsh reviews on this movie. Okay, so Keifer Sutherland's English accent is laughable (he clearly only studied Jeremy Irons) and our beloved Jon Snow seemed to be just playing Jon Snow but in Pompeii... and theI don't really get all the harsh reviews on this movie. Okay, so Keifer Sutherland's English accent is laughable (he clearly only studied Jeremy Irons) and our beloved Jon Snow seemed to be just playing Jon Snow but in Pompeii... and the death scenes were terrible... and the dialogue was... okay okay okay - yes it's bad in places, but in a way it's not bad either.

The effects are pretty awesome (despite what anyone says) and this is ultimately what I wanted to see from Pompeii. I wanted to see epic visuals on what it was like and that's what I got. Yeah, there's a crappy story running in the background, but I can live with that.

Glad I saw it - probably won't watch it again, but still enjoyed it.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

All this user's reviews

foxgroveMay 1, 2014

It seems to me that both critics and audiences have got their knives out for the sword and sandal pictures of 2014, and unfairly in my opinion. I get that it's not deep and meaningful and that the characters are taken from stock. I alsoIt seems to me that both critics and audiences have got their knives out for the sword and sandal pictures of 2014, and unfairly in my opinion. I get that it's not deep and meaningful and that the characters are taken from stock. I also comprehend that the script is serviceable rather than inspired. However, this is a film about spectacle (and i'm not talking about the tacky disaster films thrown up every so often) and in this department it delivers in spades.
It has pace in abundance and is imaginatively directed employing a variety of camera shots, along with adequate 3D, to impressive effect. The back story is fine and it builds quite nicely to the main event, the eruption of Vesuvius, which is really what we have come to see. The destruction of Pompeii is spectacularly realised with some absolutely stunning CGI which are possibly the best of the year so far (give or take the odd wobble). In fact before all this drama begins there is also much nail biting tension to be had in the coliseum as the gladiators fight it out for survival. This may all seem very familiar but this second half just never lets the pace slip. Fast and furious editing ratchets up the tension and the film, aided by a beautiful and rousing score, holds you in a vice like grip. No excess padding or accusations of over length can be made here. The film is just nail bitingly edge of seat stuff.
My only minor quibble is that visually it lacks colour (as did Legend of Hercules) in its costumes, sets and photography, even though in all these departments excellence is otherwise demonstrated. The city is credibly reconstructed and the lighting is often extremely effective. Also much fun is to be had watching Kiefer Sutherland enjoying himself hamming it up outrageously whilst talking in a most bizarre manner. This definitely has to be a candidate for the most under rated film of the year.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

All this user's reviews

kiwijmanMar 20, 2014

i am giving this movie a 10 because i feel it deserves a higher score. after reading a few reviews i felt like i shouldn't bother watching this but it was fairly good with amazing cgi and good acting. I may have been forced to like it becausei am giving this movie a 10 because i feel it deserves a higher score. after reading a few reviews i felt like i shouldn't bother watching this but it was fairly good with amazing cgi and good acting. I may have been forced to like it because of kit harrington but even non game of thrones fans should admit he didnt do a bad job. i would recommend this to people who are interested by history and to people who enjoy watching mass destruction. id defnitley say the story wasnt the best but not terrible.… Expand

4 of 8 users found this helpful44

All this user's reviews

TheQuietGamerMay 23, 2014

With entertaining arena battles, likable characters, despicable villains, and the ever looming threat of the destruction on Pompeii, the film remains an absolute blast even before the apocalypse-like destruction starts. The only thing thatWith entertaining arena battles, likable characters, despicable villains, and the ever looming threat of the destruction on Pompeii, the film remains an absolute blast even before the apocalypse-like destruction starts. The only thing that falls short here is the romance, which feels forced. The leads lack chemistry and the whole romance is just unbelievable. I get that the story of this movie had to make concessions with the amount of time it would take to build up a believable romance, but the love at first sight thing doesn't work here and it could have been done a lot better. So it's no Titanic even though it had the potential to be, but it gives the audience a couple to root for, and overall everything else turned out fantastic. I also wasn't here for the love story, so I wasn't that disappointed. I for one found it to be one heck of a ride, and my overall score is a 9.9/10=Near-Perfect.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

ChiefSweetumsMay 20, 2014

I really liked this movie. It's watchable history, like Troy, which we need a lot more of. I never knew much about Pompeii or cared to until these actors brought it to life. It made me want to learn the history and that says a lot for a movieI really liked this movie. It's watchable history, like Troy, which we need a lot more of. I never knew much about Pompeii or cared to until these actors brought it to life. It made me want to learn the history and that says a lot for a movie that can do that.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

All this user's reviews

MikasaViiMar 5, 2014

I thought this would be some crappy Greek/Roman themed movie like Clash of the Titans but I was pleasantly surprised. The actors aren't the best, but it's amazing how the movie ties in the erupting volcano making the trivial human quarrelsI thought this would be some crappy Greek/Roman themed movie like Clash of the Titans but I was pleasantly surprised. The actors aren't the best, but it's amazing how the movie ties in the erupting volcano making the trivial human quarrels seem petty. And the ending is beautiful, couldn't have been better.… Expand