Genre: Adventure/Comedy // Running Time: 94 minutes // Release Date: February 10, 2012
Cast & Crew at IMDB - http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1397514/
Overall Rating: 6.5 out of 10
Synopsis: A teenage boy named Sean (Josh Hutcherson) receives a radio message claiming the existence of a fabled island from a Jules Verne novel and believes it to be from his currently missing grandfather Alexander (Michael Caine). With the help of his mom's new boyfriend Hank (Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson), who conveniently enough, was an ex code-breaker in the Navy, he uncovers the location of the island. After quickly convincing the boy's mother of the merits of the trip, the pair set out to find the island, and hopefully the whereabouts of the missing grandfather in the process.
While this movie is definitely not the greatest movie ever made, it definitely isn't the worst. I'm still not a huge fan of 3D movies, mainly because not much of the movie is actually improved with the use of 3D technology. However, I did get to see a trailer for Star Wars Episode 1 in 3D so I'm excited to see that series hit the theaters again! This movie is sadly much the same as the previous attempts at 3D movies, and while a few bits here and there 'pop' out at you, for the most part, the 2D version will give viewers an identical experience for less money. So if you're given a choice, see it in the cheaper 2D format.
If you haven't seen the first movie of this series, Journey to the Center of the Earth, I wouldn't be overly concerned. None of the characters carry over, and there's no real plot ties other than the first movie is loosely based on a Jules Verne novel as well. I have seen both movies and I must say that I found this one to be much more enjoyable than the first. It could be because The Rock is more fun to watch than Brendan Fraser, and you also have Michael Caine who is always good, even if the movie isn't. The story is pretty far-fetched and ridiculous at times (flying on giant bees), but it is a movie based on the idea of finding an island where the sizes of things is reversed, so you kind of have to take it with a grain of salt. As far as family films go, this one isn't terrible. It's got some good jokes and one-liners, lots of action and adventure, the CGI is pretty good, and there's even some adolescent romance between Sean and Kailani played by the attractive (I checked her age to make sure I could say that) Vanessa Hudgens. You even get to hear The Rock sing and play the ukulele and he's surprisingly decent ... never thought I'd get to say that. If you aren't dying to see it, wait for the DVD and save yourself a few bucks. But if you need a family film that's not a cartoon, this one is entertaining and fun.
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