I know that Brendan Fraser hasn’t had a great go of it this year thanks to the Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, but for my money “Journey to the Center of the Earth” was a fun little adventure film in 2D and most especially in 3D. Finally being able to see what director Eric Brevig has in store with his 3D aspect, “Journey” is a fun event film that takes the 3D device and manages it in to a storytelling aspect that keeps the movie consistently fun. And if you think the movie is based only around 3D—well–you’re partly right, but “Journey 3D” is also a fun movie with some great sights and sounds to be had.
The implementing of 3D is seamless and it’s a blast watching it with family and friends, now that the packaging comes with four 3D glasses for pretty much anyone to enjoy. Brendan Fraser plays Brendan Fraser yet again, but at least there are some great moments in store including a T-Rex, glow birds, and an old fashion serialized storytelling knack that brings to mind the classic B films of the fifties with the flourish of the IMAX experience with the startling pastels and often appealing oddities in the way of landscapes that help fuel this story in to a considerably entertaining homage to the Jules Verne story. Just remember that it’s a departure and you may enjoy it as a fun film of 2008, even if it’s not the most riveting; Brendan Fraser’s year wasn’t a complete loss.
As for the DVD, we’re given the option of widescreen 2D experience and a flip DVD where we get the 3D full experience that I recommend above all. Watching it 2D did the film no justice. Among many features, we’re given a commentary with Fraser and director Brevig both of whom seem very enthusiastic about what they’ve made and make no lies that their film is a product for IMAX audiences and really nothing more. We’re also given “A World Within Our World” a documentary theorizing on what may actually be at the center of the Earth, “Being Josh,” a documentary that presumes we want to know what it’s like to be actor Josh Hutcherson with a look back at his roles and his experience on set.
There’s also “How to Make Dinosaur Drool” a look at the engineering of the physical dinosaur drool that clocks in at only two minutes. There are also two mini games “Riding the Mine Car,” and “Batting the Fish” which you can do in 2D or 3D. The games are fairly entertaining and lose their spontaneity once mastered. I don’t know what you’ll expect, but “Journey 3D” is a fun, exciting and cute adventure film with some strong performances and a story reliant on its three dimensional device that works to director Brevig’s benefit. Either way, I enjoyed this movie immensely and the DVD is nothing to scoff at either.