“Journey” Takes Kids On A Magical 3-D Ride
Kids everywhere are looking forward to seeing the new 3-D movie “Journey to the Center of the Earth” based on the Jules Verne sci-fi novel. This movie uses some of the best in 3-D technology with the ability to bring a whole new world to life on the big screen. But is it really worth it?
“Journey to the Center of the Earth” is an engaging movie for the younger generation and may even attract a few adults who are looking to shy away from the usual action movies that are all over the big screen.
Fraser imports his amiable charisma from the “Mummy” movies to play Trevor Anderson, a hapless scientist whose brother Max (Jean Michel Pare) disappeared while exploring volcanic tubes that allow access to the earth’s core. Max was a “Vernean,” and so is Trevor: He believes Verne’s book wasn’t speculative fiction but a Lonely Planet travel guide.
But of course he is the only one who feels this way and everyone else thinks that he is crazy. The hero’s teenage nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) hasn’t read Verne and can barely be pried from his Sony PSP after his mom drops him off with goofy Uncle Trevor. He scoffs and so does Hannah (Anita Briem), the fetching Icelandic mountain guide who agrees to take the two to the last of Max’s tectonic sensors on a remote mountainside. Where they find the path to the center of the earth that Trevor was looking for.
The three eventually find themselves in the center of the earth after twists, turns, and falls in the road. Once there they discover beautiful birds, a large T-Rex, and plants that are not so friendly.
The only scene that truly breaks through into 3-D magic comes early, when the heroes’ fall down a vent is broken by rising water droplets that slowly coalesce to form an underground sea. For a brief moment, we’re not sure which way is up, and the disorientation feels delicious.
The cast is good company and the action is steadily paced by Eric Brevig, a special effects craftsman getting his first shot at directing. He uses 3-D mostly for ambience, and he goes easy on the gotcha shots, but they’re there, of course. All in all the children will love it and makes for an adventurous and wholesome movie for the summer.