Sunday, February 12, 2012

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island - Movie Review


After a relatively successful remake of the classic Journey to the Center of the Earth, Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema has upped the ante with bigger special effects and adding in Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson in place of Brendan Fraser as lead character in what could be a continuing series of movies based on Jules Verne's timeless stories.


This movie leaves no doubt that Johnson has a movie star personality, but there are still times you just cringe at how cheesy he can be. Luckily these two sides of the man known as 'The Rock' fit in perfectly with the style and tone of the movie. What we get with 'Journey 2' is a really fun movie that is full of non stop action and eye popping visuals which more than balance out a sub par story and mediocre acting performances.


Josh Hutcherson plays the one returning character of Sean and this time he is on a mission to find his missing grandfather  (Michael Caine) who, based on an encoded message, may have found the elusive mysterious island that Verne wrote about in his stories. Vanessa Hudgens and Luis Guzmán play father/daughter tour guides that are hired to get Sean and Hank (Johnson) to the island in their helicopter.


 After surviving a hurricane and crash landing on the island, the group finds Sean's grandfather who shows them some amazing secrets that he has discovered on this hidden island. After realizing the island is about to sink back in to the ocean, the team looks to find a way to escape and the real adventure begins.


This is one of those movies that critics can and will pick apart to no end regarding moments of silly dialog, gaping plot holes, and scenes that leave you shaking your head, but that really is a waste of time with a movie like this. 'Journey 2' gives you a chance to just kick back and enjoy a good time with a movie that doesn't take itself seriously, but blows you away with some really cool CGI and 3D effects work.


Go see this movie and definitely see it in 3D as you'll miss out on a lot of the intended experience without it. 'Journey 2' is a great example of how the days of bad 3D transfers are long gone and we are starting to see see a new wave of quality and creativity with the technology. Check your inner movie critic at the door and be ready for a roller coaster ride through a mysterious island that will have you on the edge of your seat.


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