Review of Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008) by Jeff B — 16 Aug 2010

In the early ?50s, the major film studios dealt with the looming threat of television by pulling out some spanking new bells and whistles. These innovations included 3-D, Smell-O-Vision, and Cinerama, which involved an expansive wraparound screen and three projectors (think: the granddaddy of IMAX). The first Cinerama audiences ranked and rolled to the footage of a rollercoaster ride?but once the innovation ran out, the lack of plot drew more yawns than yearning. At times, the standard issue family adventure Journey to the Center of the Earth feels like the heyday of Cinerama?but the movie thankfully incorporates an even mix of 3-D thrills and a cogent enough story to keep it from becoming pure Smell-O-Vision.

In this PG-rated loose-as-a-goose adaptation of the Jules Verne classic, a scientist (Fraser), his nephew (Hutcherson), and an obligatory hot mountain guide (Anita Briem) stumble upon a fantastic and dangerous lost world hidden deep beneath the Earth?s surface. And thank God for 3-D because the paper-thin plot alone does not offer filmgoers much. The movir simply offers a fair balance that is neither Shakespeare nor Lucasfilm, but families will appreciate the rollercoaster ride.

This type of pseudo-swashbuckling fare is right up Fraser?s alley. Here, he musters up just enough community theater swagger to give Keanu Reeves a run for his play money?but it works, dammit. The true stars, however, are some toothy sea monsters and one pissed off Tyrannosaurus Rex. When they lunge out of the screen, John Q. Moviegoer is sure to drop a Whopper down his pantleg.

Bottom line: Better than Smell-O-Vision.