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Okay, I have a soft spot for the original 1959 version of "Journey To the Center of the Earth" with James Mason, Arlene Dahl and Pat Boone. That to me, is the epitome of what Jules Verne's story was about.
In the new version of "Journey To the Center of the Earth 3-D," director/writer Eric Brevig takes the audience on a visual treat loosely based on Jules Verne's novel that includes elements of the book - creating a side story of fast-paced, family friendly, fun adventure geared towards the younger preteen audience.
Brendan Fraser(who introduced the movie and later threw in some funny one-liners during the screening from his seat to the audience) portrays high school science teacher and messy bachelor "Trevor Anderson", whose brother was lost while trying to find an opening to the center of the Earth. Anderson believes in this theory as well, but is labeled a crackpot for doing so. To make matters worse, his lab is on the verge of being downsized and taken over by a fellow teacher (Jean Michael Park) for his own research.
Enter Sean Anderson(Josh Hutcherson), Anderson's emotionally withdrawn nephew who comes to stay with him for a week. Here, while going through a box of his brothers' belongings...trying to bond with his nephew... and cope with his loss (a nice touch to see how far we've come from the 3-D process: when he finds an old 3-D Stereoscope and wonders what it is)...a bored Sean accidentally discovers a fourth opening on Trevor's computer, located in Iceland. And off they go.
Here we meet "Hannah Asgeirsson" (the very talented, upcoming actress, Anita Briem). She's the daughter of another geologist who believed in the theory of a passage way to the center of the Earth. She becomes their guide, leading them into a local cave that might give them the answers they're looking for. Hannah is pretty, but she's no cream puff as she pulls her own weight & saves the boys who get in and out of trouble more than once.
Okay, suspension-of-belief-time when they enter the center of the Earth (as rapidly as they do) but, then again, this was also the summer of Indiana Jones surviving an A-bomb blast in a lead lined refrigerator - so I'll give them that.
Speaking of Indiana; faster than you can say, "No time for love, Dr. Jones," you see an attachment start to grow between Anderson and Hannah as they continue on their adventure - encountering man-eating plants(pretty funny scene), magnesium and magnetic rocks ("Rubies....saphires...feldspar!"), carnivorous flying fish, and of course, a Tyrannosaurus Rex.
Fraser is very likable in this. He reminds me of Fred MacMurray in Disney's "The Absent Minded Professor" or "Son of Flubber"...movies from the early sixties. He plays the flawed hero well, and that's why audiences like his characters. They're believable.
Josh Hutcherson pulls his own weight as an actor & does a credible job as Anderson's nephew, who comes to grips with what happened to his father on his expedition.
Icelandic born, Anna Briem (who portrayed "Sally" for you "Dr. Who" fans out there - from the 2005 Christmas special) is a standout as the strong-willed, quick-thinking, Hannah. She's one to watch as she grows as an actress. She's quite talented and will go far.
Director/writer Eric Brevig does a good job at the helm & keeps the story moving at a break neck speed at 92 minutes. The viewer is never bored. Though there is the scene with a yo-yo that he overuses... seemed like there was going to be a payoff with this, but it never happens.
Still, it was convincing as a 3-D gimmick - which was also done with a paddle ball in the 1953 3-D version of "House of Wax" directed by Andre de Toth (who, ironically, had no depth perception as he had one eye). Brevig does payoff other gags, though, including a funny scene with Brendan Fraser spitting out his mouthwash into the audience.
The effects were good, and you can see that the engineers and techs put a lot of effort into trying to make the best possible into this new 3-D process. As in any movie, some of the effects, especially the main and closing titles (you have to stay for those) are exceptional. Monsters and some backgrounds border on excellent to okay.
The 3-D process itself: I kept thinking I was Roddy Piper from "They Live", taking the Polarized glasses on and off, and rubbing my eyes imagining that I was seeing signs that read, "BUY MORE POPCORN," "DRINK MORE SODA," and "EAT CANDY OR DIE!" in my subconscious.
This has always been the problem with 3-D. It just can't be used for long periods of time without the viewer feeling fatigued. Until this can be figured out, potentially to where one doesn't need the glasses, 3-D will always be just a fun novelty.
As most movie houses do not have the 3-D process installed with this film, treat yourself and see it in one that does. Take your kids, or little brother or sister, as this is the perfect film for them to spend an afternoon with.
-Uncapie
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