Journey to the Center of the Earth
(B- or 2.5/4 stars)
While on a scientific expedition to find out what happened to his missing brother, Scientist Trevor Anderson (good 'ole Brendan Fraser), his 13 yr. old nephew, Sean (Josh Hutcherson, of Bridge to Terabithia), and their mountain guide, Hannah (a cute Anita Briem), discover a wondrous & dangerous lost world in ... the center of the Earth. Though they initially went to Iceland to investigate some strange seismic activity, little did they know they'd be scoping out the Earth's core. Though it's unabashedly juvenile, the film (directed by special effects wizard, Eric Brevig) is also a lot of fun. Fun. But I wonder if some of the magic would wear off if-&-when viewed without those nifty 3D glasses.
Trevor's not happy that his teen nephew, Sean, is staying with him for 10 days. But after realizing that Jules Verne's novel (same name as the movie), and his long lost brother's seismic activity notes match up - he figures the book to be fact, not fiction; and a trip to Iceland is in store. Consequently, he & Sean can bond on this Trans-Atlantic adventure. After meeting up with tour guide Hannah, they travel to the top of a mountain, plummet to the center of the Earth, and discover a prehistoric world that no one (assumingly) has ever seen before.
The rest of the movie plays out as a big, special effects driven, 3D theme park ride for both the trio onscreen, and us in the audience. Giant teeth-snapping Piranhas fly towards Sean. Trevor fends off man-eating plants. Glowing birds follow the trio through tunnel after tunnel. And a ferocious dinosaur chases Trevor & Sean across a muscovite field. Not only does the trio defy these surreal dangers, but they also have to survive a runaway mine road, labyrinthine caves, floating magnetic rocks, erupting volcanoes, and 115 degree temperatures. With magma & lava ready to explode, can they escape before they're burned alive?
Man vs. an unknown environment ... this IS the movie. Now, there are many instances throughout where you might be thinking, 'How can they do that? The law(s) of gravity don't work that way?' etc. But this is beside the point. Going to the movies to watch this is nothing more than an interesting diversion for the kids & their families. It's an event (thanks to the 3D glasses). You won't be overly moved (emotionally). You won't think the characters are ever in 'real' mortal danger. Don't look for much to make sense. And don't look for much substance (plot). These quandaries aside ...
Nobody can play a B-movie leading man quite like Brendan Fraser can. He's a magnet to affable roles like this; and he makes it work Every. Single. Time. Josh Hutcherson is very good as the fatherless nephew. And newcomer, Anita Briem, is along for the ride as some welcomed eye candy. But don't let that fool you. She's a tough & intelligent cookie, as well. Did this film 'have' to be remade? I don't know. When all is said & done, 'Journey to the Center ...' provides some decent entertainment. It's brainless. It's light as a feather. I laughed. I jumped in my seat. That's more than can be said for many trips to the theater.
Trevor's not happy that his teen nephew, Sean, is staying with him for 10 days. But after realizing that Jules Verne's novel (same name as the movie), and his long lost brother's seismic activity notes match up - he figures the book to be fact, not fiction; and a trip to Iceland is in store. Consequently, he & Sean can bond on this Trans-Atlantic adventure. After meeting up with tour guide Hannah, they travel to the top of a mountain, plummet to the center of the Earth, and discover a prehistoric world that no one (assumingly) has ever seen before.
The rest of the movie plays out as a big, special effects driven, 3D theme park ride for both the trio onscreen, and us in the audience. Giant teeth-snapping Piranhas fly towards Sean. Trevor fends off man-eating plants. Glowing birds follow the trio through tunnel after tunnel. And a ferocious dinosaur chases Trevor & Sean across a muscovite field. Not only does the trio defy these surreal dangers, but they also have to survive a runaway mine road, labyrinthine caves, floating magnetic rocks, erupting volcanoes, and 115 degree temperatures. With magma & lava ready to explode, can they escape before they're burned alive?
Man vs. an unknown environment ... this IS the movie. Now, there are many instances throughout where you might be thinking, 'How can they do that? The law(s) of gravity don't work that way?' etc. But this is beside the point. Going to the movies to watch this is nothing more than an interesting diversion for the kids & their families. It's an event (thanks to the 3D glasses). You won't be overly moved (emotionally). You won't think the characters are ever in 'real' mortal danger. Don't look for much to make sense. And don't look for much substance (plot). These quandaries aside ...
Nobody can play a B-movie leading man quite like Brendan Fraser can. He's a magnet to affable roles like this; and he makes it work Every. Single. Time. Josh Hutcherson is very good as the fatherless nephew. And newcomer, Anita Briem, is along for the ride as some welcomed eye candy. But don't let that fool you. She's a tough & intelligent cookie, as well. Did this film 'have' to be remade? I don't know. When all is said & done, 'Journey to the Center ...' provides some decent entertainment. It's brainless. It's light as a feather. I laughed. I jumped in my seat. That's more than can be said for many trips to the theater.