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Movie Review - Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
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(What this rating means)
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| Director: |
Eric Brevig |
| Starring: |
Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, and Anita Briem |
| Rated: |
PG (for intense adventure action and some scary moments) |
| Length: |
92 minutes |
| Genre: |
Action/Adventure/Family/3-D |
| Tagline: |
Same Planet. Different World. |
| Studio: |
Warner Bros. |
| Website: |
Journey to the Center of the Earth |
| Release: |
July 11, 2008 |
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PLOT
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During a scientific expedition in Iceland, visionary scientist Trevor Anderson (Fraser), his nephew Sean (Hutcherson), and their local mountain guide, Hannah (Briem), are
unexpectedly trapped in a cave, eventually stumbling upon a volcanic passage that sends them plummeting to the center of the Earth. Landing in a deep crystal blue lagoon,
they discover an extraordinary world of lush jungles and prehistoric creatures as described in Jules Verne's novel - man-eating plants, giant flying piranha, glow birds,
and terrifying dinosaurs. The trio soon realizes that as volcanic activity increases around them, they must find a way back to the earth's surface before it is too late.
A 3-D adventure ensues.
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JOHNNY'S TAKE
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Journey to the Center of the Earth is a prime example of a film that must be accepted at face value - it's a family-friendly, 90-minute theme park ride. That's it.
There's no deep story. No character development. No true plot progression. No false pretenses. So it's only fair that I issue a warning - DO NOT SEE THIS IN 2-D. There
was never any intent to shape this into a great movie; it's designed as a compelling visual experience, and as such, it works.
If you view 3-D as a gimmick, and it's not technology that interests you, then stay home and save your money. It's that simple. The effects (things flying at the screen)
are so blatant that I really don't think I'd enjoy it as a "regular film." It won't play well on DVD. But you make everything three-dimensional and lo and behold, the
atmosphere is immersive. You feel like you're on the side of the mountain and on top of the water. Is it digital manipulation? Sure, but it's cool.
This is a film with one purpose - to entertain. It's a big-budgeted, virtual rollercoaster ride. So ask yourself, "Self, who would I take on a theme park ride with me?"
Your girlfriend, your kids, your younger sibling - that's who the movie's for. If you're a 30-year-old dude then you probably don't want to see this by yourself. Don't call
up your buddies and suggest this one for "guys' night out." Instead, find a gal who'll jump and clutch your arm when a huge piranha flies at the screen.
There's no real sense in discussing plot points or the quality of the acting - though Fraser effectively delivers his usual charmingly goofy performance. The film strives
to create an engrossing, thrilling, escapist experience that the entire family can enjoy, and it succeeds.
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THE MOVIE BABE'S TAKE
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Journey to the Center of the Earth is great for the kids, but fun for the adults too! Johnny and I thought the high-pitched squeals coming from behind us could only
be explained as a little kid terrified by the dinosaurs and flying fish, but no, they were from a lady. An ADULT lady. See, everyone had fun.
Very entertaining; the 3-D aspect is the best part. You feel like you're climbing the mountain and enjoying the beach right there with the characters. We need some more
3-D films that are appropriate for the ones that are still little in their britches and don't need to hear bad words or see naked people. Or people that are big in their
britches that don't want that stuff either. They hinted towards a sequel, so we'll see...
Oh, and yes, JB did protect me during the scary scenes ... his bulging bi's came in handy ... if you know what I mean.
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ODDS & ENDS
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- To create the visual effects (VFX) shots in 3D, Christopher Townsend's VFX team performed double duty, rendering twice the amount of shots for each of the film's 726
visual effects shots, resulting in a total of more than 1,400 visual effects shots created.
- Townsend explains, "In 3D, what we have to do is recreate the world behind the actor and convey that volume and that space. We have to render a piece of geometry in
computer graphics that disappears back just as far as it would disappear back in the real world. So if it's six miles to the horizon, then within the computer, you have
to build a computer model that actually disappears back six miles. You can't just fake it with a flat painting. You actually have to put it in its correct dimension."
- Brendan Fraser was in Encino Man with Sean Astin who was in The Goonies with Josh Brolin who was in Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon.
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MAMA'S APPROVAL
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The kid makes a joke about "being in deep schist" (a type of rock), but this is safe for the whole family. There are some scenes with a few creatures that the wee ones may deem
scary, especially in 3-D, so think twice before taking your five-year-old.
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TRAILER COMPARISON
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I'm not sure if the trailer is a great guide. Remember, this is not meant to be watched as a 2-D experience.
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THE GIST
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Journey to the Center of the Earth works as a 90-minute, family-friendly 3-D theme park ride. If you don't expect anything else then you won't be disappointed.
If you're the type of person who views film as a medium that should always make you think, well, there's not much that will make you happy, but this is definitely
not for you.
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