Powerful... It's a very scary movie and not for everybody.

The choice to limit the film’s scope also limits its impact; but the heart of “The Volcano” is still effectively harrowing, showing the moment when awe at nature’s wonders turns into mortal terror.

The resulting film pushes all the expected sentimental buttons and jerks a tear or two... But viewers might sense that there’s a more sublime dimension to the story lurking just under the surface like a bubbling reservoir of magma.

The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari is another tragic documentary that reminds us not to try to show Mother Nature who is boss.