Lizards! Why did it have to be lizards?

JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND (2012)

Reviewed by Jerry Saravia

I have not seen the 1950's version of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" with James Mason in eons. "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is not a sequel to that film - it is a sequel to the 2008 remake starring Brendan Fraser. Although the latter is unseen by me, I can safely say that "Journey 2" is a goofy, wholly unbelievable fantasy adventure that is perfect family viewing.

Josh Hutcherson is Sean, a young "Vernian" high-school student (Vernian as in a Jules Verne addict - who knew?) who in the opening scene of the movie is chased by cops after he has broken into a satellite facility. All this trouble just to boost a coded message from his grandfather (Michael Caine) who is in the "Mysterious Island" - the grandfather sends encrypted messages by use of a ham radio! I am glad to see such ancient technology finds it way in 21st century movies. Sean discovers his grandfather's whereabouts and gets his stepdad (Dwayne Johnson) to fly with him out to Palau where they get a pilot aching for money (Luis Guzman) and his reluctant daughter (Vanessa Hudgens) to continue a hazardous journey to that island. Only problem is there is an intense hurricane on route in the Pacific. Nevertheless, after arriving in this fantasy island, we see giant lizards, elephants in Lilliputian size, giant bees, giant butterflies, Captain Nemo's Nautilus buried deep in the water, electric eels, volcanoes that spew golden nuggets, etc. This is the kind of silliness where two people can take a deep breath underwater long enough to enter the Nautilus while evading an electric eel and turn the power on! I could be wrong but I think they hold their breath longer than Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.

"Journey 2" is bright, breezy fun, a sort of junior-league adventure movie for those who find "Jurassic Park" too intense. Do not expect a literal translation of Jules Verne's own novel which had a completely different story and subtext. In fact, this movie exists outside of it, in reference and code and homage only. Aside from the Nautilus, there is no Nemo to be found except his grave, and monsters and bees used as carriers are nowhere to be found in Verne's text (nor are the Polynesian jokes and Dwayne's vibrating nipples). This is shamelessly goofy fun for the Nickelodeon set, and it might inspire young impressionable kids to read Jules Verne. That is a plus nowadays.