Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Reviews

Beforehand, I wasn't expecting much from this flick but since Nick, my step-son, really wanted to see it, I thought I should give it a try. It is pretty funny that nowadays Dwayne Johnson is the go-to-guy concerning franchise revival. Indeed, after he starred in 'Fast Five', it was a huge hit, same thing with this movie and they hope he will do the same with the moribund G.I. Joe franchise (I really wonder if he will put it through a 3rd time around but who knows?). Anyway, coming back to our main subject, exactly like the first installment, I actually thought it would be much worse than this. Indeed, during the first 30 minutes, the intro was just really awkward and I thought the jokes were just terrible so it seemed to be heading towards a disaster but, after a while, I have to admit, it eventually got to me. I mean, the scene where The Rock sings 'What a wonderful world' on a ukulele was just hilarious. Furthermore, there were once again some rather insane action scenes just like in the first installment. I have to admit, Dwayne Johnson was really charismatic and ten times better than the dull Brendan Fraser so that was a good move from the producers. Basically, the movie is just some preposterous adventure but it remains a rather harmless feature. To conclude, even though it is nothing really amazing, I still think it is a rather fun flick and I think it is worth a look, especially if you like the genre.

An insane but spectacular sequel to entertaining hit Journey To The Centre Of The Earth, Journey 2 features the same forgettable teenage hero in Josh Hutcherson.
he Mysterious Island.

Instead of Brendan Fraser tagging along (he's not even mentioned here), the film switches things up, with Sean now accompanied by his stepfather Hank (Dwayne Johnson, who knocks it out of the park).

Along for the ride is a helicopter pilot (Guzman) and his hot love interest daughter (Vanessa Hudgens, who feels completely out of place). Naturally, not unlike the first film, they wind up finding the island only days before it's about to sink into the ocean.

This movie keeps things light and goofy, just like the first film, a watch able stuff.

As simple and direct as its abbreviated title, "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is a fun though rarely funny family adventure whose lively special effects compensate somewhat for actors who largely sleepwalk through their roles. With franchise continuity hinging solely on Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from 2008's hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth," it's up to Dwayne Johnson to fill the father-figure vacuum left by Brendan Fraser. Despite limp characterizations, the eye-popping effects and Johnson's fanbase should combine to help this Warner Bros. release capitalize swimmingly on its 3D upcharge.
Opening narration by Michael Caine describes sci-fi pioneer Jules Verne and the "Vernians," followers who believe the French novelist's works offer more than just science-flavored entertainment. The pic's uncredited source text is Verne's 1874 novel "The Mysterious Island," which has provided a rich cinematic vein in the past: Multiple versions have appeared since the silent era (elements of the story were folded into 1916's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," with which it shares the character of Captain Nemo), and it even inspired ABC's "Lost."

Auds get an early taste of the pic's 3D effects with an opening chase sequence in which teenager Sean Anderson (Hutcherson), having broken into a satellite tracking station, is pursued on his motorcycle by cops around the suburbs of Dayton, Ohio. Five years after the events of "Journey to the Center of the Earth," Sean clearly still needs a firm hand, and his concerned new stepfather, Hank (Johnson), hopes to provide it.

Sean has gotten hold of a coded transmission that consists of character names from Verne novels, and that's enough to convince him that his Vernian grandfather is sending a message. As with the first film, which used its source material as a convenient guidebook to keep the plot moving, Sean is certain his hardback copy of "The Mysterious Island" provides the clue to his granddad's location.

Having been a codebreaker in the Navy, Hank helps Sean solve the puzzle and figure out the location of the titular Pacific island in a matter of seconds. As the boy already has been to the center of the planet with his uncle, it's a small matter for his mother (Kristin Davis, replacing Jane Wheeler) to let him travel to the South Pacific accompanied by his stepdad, low-rent helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzman, stuck playing the cowardly comic relief), and Gabato's fiery daughter, Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), who gets Sean's pulse racing.

Following a lightning storm that strands the quartet in a tropical paradise, the pic finally hits its stride both in terms of effects and excitement with the appearance of a giant, aggravated lizard. Coming to the rescue is Sean's grandfather, Alexander Anderson (the previously heard but not seen Caine), whose resemblance to Indiana Jones is emphasized by a John Williams-esque flourish in Andrew Lockington's score.

From there, the proceedings are mostly stop-and-go, alternating dazzling special effects with dull expository passages and flaccid character conflict, much of it driven by the difference in mentoring styles between Sean's competitive father figures. A belching volcano foreshadows a big finish, but the pic never develops a sense of building momentum, and most of the jokes fall flat.

With helmer Brad Peyton ("Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore") primarily invested in the CGI elements, the actors often seem stuck in an energy-draining vortex; Hutcherson appears less engaged the second time around and none-too-eager for a possible third installment of the Verne-inspired franchise, while Caine merely looks fatigued. Johnson at least embodies a near-shameless charm, at one point warbling his way through a ukelele-backed rendition of "What a Wonderful World." Hudgens, who spends almost the entire film in khaki shorts and tanktop and is subjected to some prurient glances by the camera, provides a feisty presence, even if her aggressive attitude seems more redolent of L.A. than the tropics.

The unspoiled island looks supernaturally vivid, the colorful backdrops seamlessly blended with North Carolina and Hawaii locations to create a persuasive impression of an actual world. All other tech credits are first-rate.

I have to say this was one kids movie I wanted to see and thought would be good. the interesting thing about the film was that it left more for the adults than the kids. It was a great tie between classic books we all read in school. I think it was great in 3D IMax. The movie was interesting on the thought sight and sound level.

It made you believe the character like Dwayne johnson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens, and Josh Hutcherson. It is amazing that you can go into a kids film and think you got more out of it than they did. This one you do and is worth seeing.