Movie Review for Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

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Review #658 of 365
Movie Review of Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) [PG] 92 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.50
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavilions Stadium 15, Denver, CO
When Seen: 11 July 2008
Time: 3:30 pm
DVD Release Date: 28 October 2008 (click date to purchase or pre-order)

Soundtrack: Download now from Andrew Lockington - Journey to the Center of the Earth (Original Motion Picture Score) - or - order the CD below

Directed by: Eric Brevig (debut)
Screenplay by: Michael Weiss (The Butterfly Effect 2) • Jennifer Flackett (Nim's Island) • Mark Levin (Nim's Island) based on the novel by Jules Verne Journey to the Center of the Earth

Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Brendan Fraser (The Air I Breathe) • Josh Hutcherson (Firehouse Dog) • Anita Briem ("The Tudors") • Seth Meyers (American Dreamz) • Jean Michel Paré (300) • Jane Wheeler (I'm Not There)

review lite • website • trailer • spoiler • 2cOrNot2c?
Taking the tact that Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth was based on fact, the new Walden Media 3D version of the film, immediately creates an engaging family drama that's sure to entertain even the most skeptical pre-teens and adults alike. With an incredibly likable cast and trilling 3D effects, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D rocks the socks off the original film and adds a new twist to the original Jules Verne story.

The refreshened story begins when Elizabeth Anderson (Jane Wheeler) drops off her teenage son, Sean (Josh Hutcherson) for a week's stay with his uncle Trevor (Brendan Fraser). Her hope is that both guys, still remorseful over the loss of their father / brother, Max, respectively, will bond and find in each other pieces of Max to help in the rebuilding of their lives. Naturally, Sean is the most reluctant to warm up to the idea. Trevor, the absent-minded geology professor, sort of forgot about the big event. When they arrive, his house is a disaster and his job and lab are about to be closed and turned into university storage space. Shortly after their re-introduction and Elizabeth's departure, Sean and Trevor begin to bond over a box of artifacts Elizabeth leaves them. The box contains Max's Yo-Yo which Trevor demonstrates and Sean immediately connects with and Max's underlined, notated, version of Journey to the Center of the Earth. As Trevor thumbs through it, Sean becomes intrigued and shortly thereafter the two find themselves on their way to Iceland following a trail of breadcrumbs left by Max. Likewise, the two start to find they have a lot to gain from each other. They arrive at the Icelandic Center for Volcanic Activity only to find that Max's contact professor has died and his daughter Hanna (Anita Briem), now a mountain guide, has taken over his center but not his research. She agrees to guide them up the volcano the next morning to find Max's volcano sensor. Before they know it, their adventure has begun. (see the spoiler for details)

Director Eric Brevig has beautifully adapted this exciting and wondrous screenplay using phenomenal 3D effects into a truly imaginative film. Sharing some qualities with top-line video games, the adventure soars with engaging characters who instantly endear themselves due to the charismatic performances by Fraser, Hutcherson, and Briem. Brendan Fraser, absent from the commercially successful big screen for some time, raves back this summer with this role and his upcoming role in The Mummy 3.

…beautifully adapted…exciting and wondrous…phenomenal 3D effects…a truly imaginative film…
His portrayal here is one his die-hard fans will cling to as being reminiscent of his very early roles. Josh Hutcherson continues to age well as the heir apparent to Tobey Maguire, a sensitive and engaging young actor capable of showing his emotional as well as leading man sides. The lesser well-known Anita Briem holds her own well as the strong-willed Hannah. She's both funny and witty.

The 3D technology is used very effectively, though, interestingly enough, people look the most odd in 3D. Something about them makes them look a little bit 2D. There's a video game-like scene near the end of the film, however, that's one of the scariest in an exhilarating way possibly ever filmed.

…will take you on journey to the center of your heart…
The techniques that work so well in the 3D animated films, however, are not quite as perfect within the human realm. Some work is needed with it comes to actual people. Still, there are so many wonderful effects and clever tricks to make up for it.

Journey to the Center of the Earth will take you on journey to the center of your heart with top notch effects, great story, and terrific leading performances.


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Cast Members
Brendan Fraser • Josh Hutcherson • Anita Briem
Seth Meyers • Jean Michel Paré • Jane Wheeler
Director
Eric Brevig
Writers
Michael Weiss • Jennifer Flackett • Mark Levin
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DVD
Original Book
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Review-lite Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) [max of 150 words]
Taking the tact that Jules Verne's novel was based on fact, this new, 3D version of the film immediately creates an engaging family drama that's sure to entertain even skeptical pre-teens and adults alike. With an incredibly likeable cast and thrilling effects, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D rocks the socks off the original film and adds a new twist to the original book. The refreshened story begins when a boy, Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and his uncle Trevor (Brendan Fraser) embark on a trip to Iceland to find a seismic sensor planted over a decade earlier by the boy's father. A beautiful and resourceful mountain guide leads them to the site when mishaps land them smack dab in the center of the earth. Director Eric Brevig beautifully adapted this exciting and wondrous screenplay using phenomenal 3D effects into a soaring and truly imaginative, adventure film.
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