Tuesday 1 May 2012

Journey 2: Mysterious Island


Do you like eye candy? Do you want to see something that won’t make you think even for a minute? Do you want to just sit back and eat popcorn and look at pretty people trekking through the woods and getting sweaty?

Then have I got a movie for you!



The plot is formulaic. And not even algebraic formulas, but simple math 1+1=2. Plus one more = 3. Like that.

This quote sums up the movie while simultaneously poking fun at it:

Hank (the step dad) “I’m just looking to talk to you
You know, uhm… as a very concerned adult to a somewhat troubled youth.”
Sean (the teen) “Which one am I in that equation?”

Pretty much sums up this movie. Step dad makes good on his determination to be a positive role model for his new wife’s teenage boy before the kid is too old to fall for it.

Plus, you know, it’s 3-D and there are fun monster chases, a gold-erupting volcano, Jules Vern’s Nautilus submarine in living colour (Probably my favourite part of the movie, given my current steam punk kick) and the obligatory teenage crush, complete with sweet teenage kiss. (At which the two tween girls I took to see the movie squealed in disgust and covered their eyes, which they did not do when the comic relief character fell into the giant lizard egg full of amniotic fluid.)

So, predictable, numbered plot, pretty characters, morals handed to you on a plate. With garnish. A few laugh-out-loud funny bits, and a happy ending. Nothing particularly taxing or noteworthy. Nothing so horrifically bad I had to eviscerate it. Just a decent way to entertain two young girls without all the incessant giggling and squealing that happens when they hide out in their room listening to music and looking at Teen Beat magazines.  No sex, no violence, no bad language. (The hunger Games it ain't!)

I’ve spent worse afternoons.


If you’re curious, the first Journey was definitely better, from what I remember. Brendon Fraser is a decent actor, and cute. Dwayne Johnson has some great pecs and a brilliant smile. If he’s a good actor, this movie didn’t give him a real opportunity to show it, but then, neither did it give him enough material to flop, so whatever. At least he was nice to look at for two hours.

The girl was a pretty face and plot device. Her father, played by Luis Guzman, was ridiculous as comic relief; over the top, but heartfelt. I don’t know if one would expect more from him in this role, though, so he did a fine job. Both their characters were given just enough (contrived) action only they could do to make their presence on the island necessary. Bottom line: she was pretty and I laughed more at step-dad’s antics than at the calculated comic relief, but then, I usually do, so that’s me.

The best thing about this movie overall is that I was entertained, the tween girls were entertained, and the six-ish-year old boy and his father sitting in the seats behind us were entertained. ‘nuff said.

Who’s ready for an adventure?

15 comments:

Faith Bicknell said...

I didn't even realize Brendon Fraser was in that movie. Sounds like a flick that's better suited for YA.

Jaime Samms said...

Brendon was in the first one, years ago, Faith. And it is pretty YA friendly. I don't get to see movies in the theater any more unless they are kid friendly....

Faith Bicknell said...

Holy crap, he was in the first one? What on Earth urged them to make another remake of the movie already?

LOL, as you can see, I rarely get to go to the movies, and I seldom catch a good one on satellite tv anymore.

Jaime Samms said...

Well, the first one was Journey to the Center of the Earth and featured Sean (the same kid as in this movie) making said journey with his...uncle, I think? played by Brendan Fraser. This movie is about Sean receiving a mysterious radio message that he believes comes from his missing grandfather and determining he had to go to the source of the radio waves, which turns out to be Mysterious Island: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mysterious_Island

Jaime Samms said...

Woops. Hit send too soon. Mysterious Island and Journey to the Center of the Earth are both Jules Verne books, but you probably knew that...lol

LKF said...

Took my neighbors kids to it, age 5 and 6, was entertaining for them. Probably the special effects. But if I didn't have the little ones it would have been a rental for me.
Loved your review.
Lynda

Faith Bicknell said...

LOL, Jaime!

Jaime Samms said...

LFK, we went to the local Two-dollar-Tuesday theater, not the over-priced, filthy Ciniplex....

Jaime Samms said...

Yeah, Faith, I just remembered who I was talking to...lol!

Marci Baun said...

I probably won't go to see it, but it does sound like it might be fun. Lily wants to see The Pirates, The Lorax (which is now out of the theaters here), and Brave. I am going to make an effort to take her to the first one as the last two are already gone. :(

Jennifer Johnson said...

My MIL took my kids to see this movie, and they told me she was doing some serious drooling.

Jessica E. Subject said...

I enjoyed the first one. This will be one we rent to watch with the kids. Thanks for the review! :)

Zee Monodee said...

My boys are dying to see this one, but we'll wait for the DVD coz I'm sure this will be a rerun favourite in our house. They Love Journey 1 :)

Jaime Samms said...

Marci, I didn't get to see the Lorax, but the kids did and loved it. I've not heard of the other two.

Jessica, Zee, I think it was worth the price of the popcorn. And yeah, Jennifer, I can see that about the drooling :D

Janice Seagraves said...

Sounds like a fun movie.