If you’ve never read Jules Vernes’ original novel before, if you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing any of the film adaptations, then there’s a good chance you may enjoy “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” a family adventure film that’s just been released for the sake of cashing in on the 3D gimmick and dumbing down the entire story to where it’s really nothing but a ride. Just like a Universal studios attraction Eric Brevig’s film comes with an interactive device that allows you to sit through an experience that presents the a basic broad premise and wastes no time in plunging you in to a variety of awe inspiring sights and sounds that will make you “ooh” and “aah” and then do nothing more afterward.
There are luminescent birds, giant T-Rex’s, flying piranhas, lava pits, gigantic water falls, and even a fun mine cart ride a la “The Temple of Doom.” Sure, it’s an empty experience void of plot or deep characterization, but it’s one that doesn’t pretend to be anything more than popcorn fodder for summer audiences. I don’t begrudge movies for appealing only to kids so long as it doesn’t talk down to them or promote messages that are otherwise destructive and ill-conceived, and “Journey” is that movie that really just looks to entertain and entrench us in an adventure that will stay with even the most cynical movie goer, if they’re willing to go along with what they see… while subtly influencing the thrill of reading.
It may end up being an inspirational movie for a ten year old like “Raiders of the Lost Ark” was for many of the adults out there. “Journey” is set in a world where Jules Vernes novel is simply that. It’s a novel that’s acknowledged as such that is used as a map for the center of the Earth. Once the novel is used as source material, Brevig’s adventure soon begins to feel like “Land of the Lost.” Brendan Fraser mugs charismatically for the camera riding between pure buffoon and eccentric genius and manages to pull it off well channeling his character from “The Mummy” to lead his nephew and exotic guide Hannah Ásgeirsson (The lovely Anita Briem) on a mission that would otherwise be considered purely arbitrary were this not a movie intended solely for fourteen year old boys.
I really wanted to hate “Journey 3D” but I just couldn’t because it brought to mind some of my favorite adventure fiction like “Johnny Quest” and “Tin Tin” as it manages to be more of a meta-movie, one that uses the original story as the basis for what we see on-screen. “Journey” is really nothing more than a mélange of sights and sounds with some rather fanastic special effects, and I couldn’t help but beam at it with a smile for ninety minutes. Shoot me, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. I’m surprised to say that “Journey 3D” isn’t the worst film in theaters, nor will it manage to be the worst film all year. It’s a fluffy, fun, and exciting CGI ride for families looking to invest ninety minutes in dinosaurs and unusual monsters and nothing more, because the producers look to aspire towards nothing more.