Sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, swapping out Brendan Fraser for Dwayne Johnson as the new lead.
Young adventurer Sean (Josh Hutcherson, Bridge to Terabithia) partners with his new stepfather (Johnson) and stepsister (Vanessa Hudgens, High School Musical) on a mission to find his missing grandfather (Michael Caine, Harry Brown). Responding to a coded distress signal, Sean thinks his Grandad is lost on an undiscovered island of strange life forms, mountains of gold and deadly volcanoes.
Directed by Brad Peyton, a man familiar with family-friendly follow-ups (Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore).
The sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth does little to diverge from the typical formula. Essentially, it’s the hamburger meat of American family adventure films. Every element feels overly processed, from characters with standard stapled-on personalities to story arcs that can be predicted beat-for-beat.
That’s not to say it’s a bad film. The 3D is decent, the pacing is spot-on, there’s a lot going on visually to sooth the most impatient of attention spans and four of the five protagonists didn’t get on my nerves. But if you’ve seen even a couple of family-friendly adventures, you’ve seen Journey 2. It’s straightforward and completely inoffensive. Well, excluding Dwayne Johnson’s pec-flexing berry-juggling scene. I may write a disgruntled letter to New Line Cinema about that.
If you’ve got kids to entertain for 90 minutes, this’ll serve as a harmless method of doing so.
By Liam Maguren, Flicks.co.nz
Massively throwaway, but funnier and more likable than the first entry.
One can't help feeling the creative potential of Verne's vision is wasted.
The barrage of impressive special effects and gratuitous use of 3D mean it's a rollicking ride.
An excuse for outlandish special effects.
Thoroughly daft and entertaining.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 19th Jan 2012.
Release date: January 19th 2012.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
