Review of Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D

Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D (PG)

Plot
Scientist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) and his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) travel to Iceland, following Sean�s long-missing father. With guide Hannah (Anita Briem), they are trapped in a cave and forced to follow Jules Verne�s perilous route into the centre of the Earth.

Review

Like all good 3D films, this take on Jules Verne’s adventure novel gives you a few minutes to get your eye in. Journey bombards the audience with a dream sequence dinosaur attack and litters the pre-adventure reel of set-up with make-you-gasp gambits. In a 3D cinema first, mouthwash is spat in our faces, but veterans of stereoscop-sploitation will know what to expect when a yo-yo is produced.

There’s something sweet and childish about the 3D gimmick, and this is notable among recent movies for not being ashamed of its contrivances - the whole point is to stick trilobite antennae in your face, take you on a Temple of Doom-style underground rollercoaster ride or have you plummet miles with the screaming heroes. This is the first 3D film to combine live-action and CGI to any great extent (Beowulf was all CG), and - though early trailers looked murky - the effect is often startlingly good. The fully-realised, magical cavern vistas feel like substantial physical environments but also capture that movie magic associated with really fine matte paintings.

This is rooted in a pre-Indy, pre-Star Wars tradition of fantastical fun. This respectfully positions itself as a sequel to Verne’s yarn as well as a throwback: just as junior hero Sean learns he can have fun with a yo-yo as well as his PlayStation, this cutting-edge big-screen entertainment keeps telling the audience to go read a book. That alone is enough to give the film a glow.

Brendan Fraser gives an open-hearted, adventurous performance as a genuinely daring scientist: it’s funny and touching when his companions are overcome to find valuable jewels but he is as excited by ordinary rocks (‘diamonds … rubies … feldspar!’). Josh Hutcherson, of Bridge to Terabithia, has the usual arc from sulky tween to fully-engaged adventurer, but is miraculously non-icky and especially fine in an outstanding sequence where he crosses a chasm. And genuine Icelander Anita Briem more than justifies the script’s description of her as ‘best mountain guide ever’. The script is an excuse to plunge from one peril to the next, but has a deft touch, even in its one unexpected moment of tragedy, which makes the film more coherent and satisfying than many another summer blockbusters.

Verdict
Fraser on form, 3D dinosaurs, geology lessons, phosphorecent hummingbirds, killer flying fish, theme park rides, Icelandic babe - what�s not to like? It skews young, but is everything an 8-12 year-old could want. Older siblings and parents will have nothing to complain about either.

Reviewer: Kim Newman

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D

Funny, Full Of Adventure And Fun.

I only rented this one out on 2D but I'm thinking of asking it for Christmas so I can see the 3D verison. But it still looks good without 3D because it looks so real and amazing. The CGI is awesome and the landscapes of Iceland at the begining are beautiful. Brendan Fraser is a classic in this, showing off his charm and his witty humour. He was a excellent choice in this as well as Josh Hutcherson (my goodness, how's he grown!) who was brilliant in Bridge To Terabithia and newcomer Anita Briem. ... Read More

joanna likes films About me
09:35, 09 November 2008 \| Report This Post




Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D

It is a very good family film, with something for everyone to enjoy. The 3D works extremely well, as the T-Rex manages to look quite convincing and is great in 3 dimensions. Brendan Fraser does, as Empire have stated, gives an excellent performance as Trevor. It's a good length at 92 minutes, as there isn't really much else to put in the film. Apart from a few cheesy moments ("Now we're even" made me cringe), Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D is a great film, and although the 3D pe... Read More

Indiana James About me
13:19, 04 August 2008 \| Report This Post




I'll have to disagree, Empire.

I expected more about this movie. And me final verdict is: IT TOTALLY SUCKS! WHAT THE HELL? FOUR STARS? COME ON! ... Read More

nc_jj About me
21:27, 26 July 2008 \| Report This Post




4 Stars = A Good Review
I really did enjoy this film and I think that empire was right in it's 4 star review. Having seen the film in 3D I am probebly going to enjoy it more. But there is enough action and entertainment that I will be buying the DVD. Good review Empire. Totally Agree.... ....You were a bit harsh with Mamma Mia though? ... Read More

adam_wilde About me
22:38, 23 July 2008 \| Report This Post




RE: Journey To The Centre Of The Earth 3D
This film is so bad its good, me and my friends were laughing the whole way through it...this film should'nt get a bad review, if you go see a film with brendan fraser in, you should know what you're getting yourself in for. ... Read More

Maniac_Cop About me
15:14, 22 July 2008 \| Report This Post




Good Family Fun - Were you expecting something else?

the malcontents and misanthropes who have been whinging about this film. Empire's review is a little more positive and generous than many, but it is not out on a limb. 'Journey' is an engaging film, provides some excellent action pieces, and three central characters - who are pretty much the sole humans on screen - who are sympathetic and well cast. There's no doubt the 3D adds considerably, and makes this more of an event movie, but even without that it's worth taking the kids to see. The aud... Read More

john oldmixon About me
23:09, 19 July 2008 \| Report This Post




Good Family Fun - Were you expecting something else?

Ignore the malcontents and misanthropes who have been whinging about this film. Empire's review is a little more positive and generous than many, but it is not out on a limb. 'Journey' is an engaging film, provides some excellent action pieces, and three central characters - who are pretty much the sole humans on screen - who are sympathetic and well cast. There's no doubt the 3D adds considerably, and makes this more of an event movie, but even without that it's worth taking the kids to see.... Read More

john oldmixon About me
23:07, 19 July 2008 \| Report This Post




3D-3 Stars

Journey works largely as a showcase for 3D remixes of other movies’ such as Jurrassic park and Indy set-pieces. The new tech works, the plotting is briskbut we’re still waiting for a great 3D film. ... Read More

moviemaniac2 About me
12:47, 18 July 2008 \| Report This Post




Dreadful

I went to see this on the strength of the 3d and Empires 4 stars. I wasnt expecting a 4 star film but beleived the 3d would make up for any lack of quality. The film though was shocking, as bad as ive seen on the cinema, right up there with Highlander 2. Some of the 3d was good, it gave good depth but nothing really worked when coming out of the screen. I gave up the will to watch when the bird despairingly shook his head. On a postive note i havent laughed as much in the cinema for ages, as it ... Read More

evertonmark About me
23:29, 14 July 2008 \| Report This Post




OH MY GOOD GOD!

Empire... what are you playing at. I can no longer rely on you to give a balanced review of anything anymore! This film was 3 stars at very best. 1 star without the 3D. Seriously, are you guys on the payroll or what? I think you need some new staff who are in touch with reality. Whoever wrote this should go and work for the government, thats how out of touch they are! And I still don't think ruddy Ratatouille was worth of 5 stars! ... Read More

Beefylad About me
20:30, 14 July 2008 \| Report This Post




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