Journey to the Center of the Earth

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.

A more unavoidable obstacle here is that there's not much in the way of plot -- the story is in the tour through the labyrinthian intimacies of inner Earth. As such, it's an f/x wizard's dream, and Brevig makes the most of it.

A brisk, undemanding adventure aimed squarely at the family market, Journey is completely passable in 2-D. But viewing it through 3-D glasses not only quadruples the movie's entertainment value, it also explains why characters are constantly thrusting things at the camera.

Many have described "Journey" as a 3D film dumbed down to a theme park attraction. However, its visual splendor would have left Walt Disney weeping and Sergei Eisenstein preaching of cinema's second coming.

It has its modicum of suspense, and Brendon Fraser, who stars as intrepid professor Trevor Anderson – who does indeed journey to the center of the Earth – is his usual heroically affable self.

Eric Brevig, making his feature directing debut after a long career as a visual effects supervisor, lurches from one CG set piece to the next, though he's helped along by Fraser's easy comic touch.

If the 3D here is better than average, SLIGHTLY, the rest of the movie brings it way, way down--not quite to the center of the earth, but at least a good six feet under.

Journey to the Center of the Earth from 2008, it's this adventure movie with Brendan Fraser as this scientist guy named Trevor Anderson. He goes on this trip with his nephew Sean, played by Josh Hutcherson, and their guide Hannah, Anita Briem, trying to find clues about Trevor's missing brother. They end up way down inside the Earth's core, seeing all these weird things like glowing birds and magnetic rocks, even a T-rex shows up. The plot keeps moving fast, doesn't really stop, which makes it good for kids I guess, even if you can kind of guess what's coming next. The action is constant, keeps you watching. Characters aren't super deep, but they work together okay. Brendan Fraser is funny and excited, brings that light side, while the kid has all this energy, curious about everything. Hannah seems calm and strong, helps balance them out. Their chemistry feels natural enough, nothing amazing but it fits the movie. Visuals stand out, for something from 2008 they look pretty cool, especially the crystal caves and those floating rock fields, underground oceans too. It was made thinking about 3D, so some scenes pop that way, though now parts feel a bit old. Still, the worlds they built are imaginative, magical almost. I think the tone is all about fun, not trying to be real or serious. Its light, adventurous, family stuff with wonder everywhere. No heavy emotions or science facts, just an escape that's enjoyable. Maybe oversimplifying, but it delivers what you expect. Overall, its lively and captures that old adventure feel. Not groundbreaking, but energetic, visually fun. Great for younger viewers, adults can like it too if they want something easy. The pacing helps a lot there, rarely drags.

Film with a well-developed plot and well developed from start to finish. Nothing sensational for its genre but really enjoyable throughout its duration

The cast and premise is great. Production quality is interesting as the effects budget is there but the choices made to rely on cgi so much was just a little beyond the reach of the ideas the implemented. Its a shame they didnt use more miniatures and puppetry as i feel that could have worked great here. Silly fun switch your brain off adventure movie. Its aged pretty poorly in many ways. If you're in the mood for cheesy fun times and want to put on something to chew the popcorn too then you might find some enjoyment here... I did!

O que acontece quando um filme "sessão da ****" não tem substancia? Bem, aqui está a resposta. A ideia de uma jornada ao centro da terra não é ruim, longe disso. Temos uma premissa que atiça curiosidade, já que é algo que muito de nós já nos perguntamos, e ainda abre muita margem para a imaginação dos roteiristas, mas... algo deu errado. Eu sei que a historia deveria ser supostamente simples, mas tão simples assim? Quer dizer, temos uma infinidade de temas pra abordar de uma maneira interessante e os roteiristas pensaram nisso? A jornada rasa poderia se tornar tolerável se tivéssemos protagonistas carismáticos, cativantes ou se quer humanos, mas não é isso que acontece, e como consequência o filme parece arrastado. Os efeitos especiais poderiam ser bem melhores para 2008. A cenografia me pareceu indecisa no que se diz respeito a caracterização que deseja representar. Ora magico, ora arqueológico. Em vez de abraçar logo de vez a fantasia e criar uma atmosfera unica, a obra se limita muito e acaba perdendo a oportunidade.

WHY WAS THIS MOVIE MADE? Sorry for the all caps rage! This is a mediocre waste-land where good movie go to die. Horrible, cheap, played for "laughs". Jesus....what a freakin' waste.