Journey 2: Nothing New
by Michelle McGlynn
Journey to the Centre of the Earth was a moderate success back in 2008 and now director Brad Peyton is attempting to emulate this success in the sequel, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. Only one original cast member remains and the thrill of 3D cinema has faded tremendously. Whether or not Journey 2 can rival its predecessor remains to be seen.
Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) has grown up since the first film. He is now 17, a little bit rebellious and is currently not too pleased with his new step father, Hank (Dwayne Johnson). Anderson is still obsessed with all things Verne and is elated when he receives a coded message from someone he is sure is his long-absent grandfather, Alexander Anderson (Michael Caine). The message informs him that the mysterious island from Verne’s 1875 novel The Mysterious Island exists and provides the co-ordinates. Anderson is hell bent on visiting the island and reuniting with his grandfather. Hank knows that he cannot stop him and also spies on opportunity for the two to bond and so they head off together in search of the island. Along the way they recruit a helicoptor tour guide Gabato (Louis Guzmán) and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens). Once on the island, they find Alexander who has figured out how to survive on the island. Trouble arrives when they realise the island is sinking and will be fully submerged in less than two days. The gang set off on a daring, adventure-filled escapade. Will they manage to get off the island in time?
Journey 2 is your standard family adventure film. It has nothing new or special to offer. The first film in the franchise appeared in the early stages of the 3D reboot which was possibly a large part of the appeal. Now the majority of new films targeting the younger audiences is available in 3D, causing Journey 2 to blend in with the pack. Still, much of the film depends on visuals to carry it along. The CGI-laden island reaches the point where it looks like a cartoon or computer game. The large insects in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids were more impressive than those in Journey 2.
There is little in the way of plot, beyond the cast finding the island and then having to find a way off in a limited time frame. Meanwhile, character development is non-existent. Anderson, and even Alexander, grow to accept Hank as a member of the family. But the relationship does not develop naturally, at a certain point in the film the relationship just is.
Josh Hutcherson will soon be appearing on our screens in the highly anticipated The Hunger Games and is not likely to disappoint. In a film which has not got much to go on, performance is key. Hutcherson is likable and is one of the only things likely to hold interest throughout the film.
Of course, Michael Caine could be doing better movies but he seems to enjoy himself here. Caine is always enjoyable and his character is the only genuinely funny member of the cast.
The rest of the cast serve their purposes. Louis Guzmán provides immature humour that would be sub-standard for most children. Vanessa Hudgens, let’s face it, is not there for her acting abilities and watching her run around in skimpy clothes in 3D is sure to be a hit with some audience members. Dwayne Johnson is apparently there to disturb the audience. Why a film for children features a “pec dance” from Johnson is more of a mystery than the island. The same can be said of his ukulele accompanied rendition of What a Wonderful World. To be honest, the world did not seem all that wonderful at that moment.
Journey 2 gives exactly what is expected and nothing more. It should be enjoyable enough for the target audience of young children. Fans of the first film who have not yet outgrown this demographic will love it, though not as much as the original.
Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) has grown up since the first film. He is now 17, a little bit rebellious and is currently not too pleased with his new step father, Hank (Dwayne Johnson). Anderson is still obsessed with all things Verne and is elated when he receives a coded message from someone he is sure is his long-absent grandfather, Alexander Anderson (Michael Caine). The message informs him that the mysterious island from Verne’s 1875 novel The Mysterious Island exists and provides the co-ordinates. Anderson is hell bent on visiting the island and reuniting with his grandfather. Hank knows that he cannot stop him and also spies on opportunity for the two to bond and so they head off together in search of the island. Along the way they recruit a helicoptor tour guide Gabato (Louis Guzmán) and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens). Once on the island, they find Alexander who has figured out how to survive on the island. Trouble arrives when they realise the island is sinking and will be fully submerged in less than two days. The gang set off on a daring, adventure-filled escapade. Will they manage to get off the island in time?
Journey 2 is your standard family adventure film. It has nothing new or special to offer. The first film in the franchise appeared in the early stages of the 3D reboot which was possibly a large part of the appeal. Now the majority of new films targeting the younger audiences is available in 3D, causing Journey 2 to blend in with the pack. Still, much of the film depends on visuals to carry it along. The CGI-laden island reaches the point where it looks like a cartoon or computer game. The large insects in Honey, I Shrunk the Kids were more impressive than those in Journey 2.
There is little in the way of plot, beyond the cast finding the island and then having to find a way off in a limited time frame. Meanwhile, character development is non-existent. Anderson, and even Alexander, grow to accept Hank as a member of the family. But the relationship does not develop naturally, at a certain point in the film the relationship just is.
Josh Hutcherson will soon be appearing on our screens in the highly anticipated The Hunger Games and is not likely to disappoint. In a film which has not got much to go on, performance is key. Hutcherson is likable and is one of the only things likely to hold interest throughout the film.
Of course, Michael Caine could be doing better movies but he seems to enjoy himself here. Caine is always enjoyable and his character is the only genuinely funny member of the cast.
The rest of the cast serve their purposes. Louis Guzmán provides immature humour that would be sub-standard for most children. Vanessa Hudgens, let’s face it, is not there for her acting abilities and watching her run around in skimpy clothes in 3D is sure to be a hit with some audience members. Dwayne Johnson is apparently there to disturb the audience. Why a film for children features a “pec dance” from Johnson is more of a mystery than the island. The same can be said of his ukulele accompanied rendition of What a Wonderful World. To be honest, the world did not seem all that wonderful at that moment.
Journey 2 gives exactly what is expected and nothing more. It should be enjoyable enough for the target audience of young children. Fans of the first film who have not yet outgrown this demographic will love it, though not as much as the original.
