One of the first and most pleasantly surprising 3D movie successes in 2008 was “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which we named the Most Dynamic 3D Experience at 3DHollywood.net that year.
The sequel, “Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,” not only boasts digital 3D improved by four years of technology advancements, but it has the added advantage of a presentation on giant IMAX screens, always a significantly heightened visual impact over any other theater experience.
The Warner Bros. Pictures release of a New Line Cinema film that opens Friday in 282 IMAX theaters in the U.S. and another 166 overseas, is an engaging family adventure, that will especially appeal to young boys who enjoy films such as the “Spy Kids” series.
Even before the movie begins, the exhilarating combo experience of IMAX 3D hits audiences literally between the eyes with the always eye-popping IMAX opening logo branding sequence, followed by another fun new computer-animated Looney Tunes short. “Daffy’s Rhapsody” is not quite as fun as some of the recent Road Runner entries, but the 3D is used to maximum effect as Elmer Fudd chases Daffy around a stage as the duck continues singing and performing while dodging the remarkably politically incorrect point-blank shotgun blasts from Fudd’s rifle.
Only Josh Hutcherson returns to reprise his role as young Sean Anderson, this time joining his step-dad (Dwayne Johnson) on a highly unlikely adventure to the fabled Jules Verne island where animals are of reverse size — elephants are the size of small dogs; butterflies are the size of pterodactyls and bees are big enough to fly. There they meet up with Anderson’s heroic adventurer grandfather (Michael Caine) and a father-daughter team (the goofball helicopter pilot played by Luis Guzman, and his strong-willed daughter Vanessa Hudgens of “High School Musical”).
The idea is to traverse the spectacular and danger-filled island to find Verne’s famed Nautilus submarine and make their way back home.
Director Brad Peyton guides the 3D to far great effect here than his notably inferior “Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore.” The foliage of the island is exploited well, with something always in the foreground to establish clear depth, and the gimmicky scenes of giant lizards and numerous objects extending off the screen are obvious but executed effectively.
As with “Avatar,” there is a far greater sense of immersion in the jungle and the scenes of flying on the back of giant creatures when enjoyed on a giant IMAX screen.
The story itself and the dialogue of “Journey 2” is of noticeably lower quality than its predecessor, but not to the degree that it will be any test of endurance for parents to enjoy with young children. It’s of the caliber of the less memorable Disney live-action movies such as “The Cat from Outer Space” or “The Island at the Top of the World,” all of which entertained plenty of audiences at the time, as will this film.
— By Scott Hettrick