Susan Granger’s review of “Journey to the Center of the Earth: 3-D” (Warner Bros.)
Whoa! 3-D has come a long way since those early days of flimsy paper, color-tinted glasses. And this newest version of Jules Verne’s pioneering fantasy is the first all-digital 3-D narrative movie ever made.
Scientist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) has been tracking seismic events in Mongolia, Bolivia and Hawaii ever since his older brother went missing in 1997. So when a remarkable new surge occurs in Iceland, coinciding with a visit from his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson), he has little choice but to tote the materialistic, bored 13 year-old along to Reykjavik. That’s where he hires Hannah (Anita Briem), a local mountain guide whose father happened to be a ‘Vernian,’ someone who believed Jules Verne was writing fact, not science- fiction.
The trio of adventurers inadvertently discover volcanic tubes, which bypass the magma layer, and enter a fantastic, subterranean world, filled with bizarre creatures, carnivorous plants, terrifying plesiosaurs – and rapidly rising temperatures.
Directed by f/x whiz Eric Brevig (“Total Recall,” “Pearl Harbor”) from an updated script by Michael Weiss, Jennifer Flackett & Mark Levin – and, of course, Jules Verne’s 1864 novel – it’s filmed by Chuck Schuman using the HD Fusion camera developed by James Cameron (“Titanic”) and Vince Pace.
The most memorable thrills include a runaway rollercoaster ride in an abandoned mine, ravenous flying piranha and prehistoric sea serpents in a secret, underground ocean but there are also lovely, magical moments, like when glowing white birds seem to flutter into the audience.
On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Journey to the Center of the Earth: 3-D” is an awesome, exciting 8. Don’t settle for 2-D – choose a theater with 3-D – and then hang on for an astonishing, eye-popping ride into another world!
