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Journey to the Center of the Earth Movie Review

Journey to the Center of the Earth is a 2008 fantasy adventure film directed by Eric Brevig and starring Brendan Fraser and Josh Hutcherson. It’s a very forgettable adaptation.

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“No one gets dibs on the mountain guide“

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This is the second big adaptation of the eponymous Jules Verne classic after the 1959 version, but this one is very modernized to the point that it doesn’t resemble the spirit of the original story in the slightest. The story happening in present time was an okay choice, but what personally bothered me the most with this flick is its frantic pacing.

Yes, this is one of those movies that genuinely feel like a theme park ride due to its non-stop action and thrilling moments. It made so much money because it was advertised well and because 3D helped drive that interest, but I did not see it in that treatment, so I wasn’t personally all that excited about its visual effects.

Especially because these VFX are simply not that great by today’s standards. The creatures look rather dated and some scenes felt like obvious green screen. It’s surprising to me how dated it felt for a 2008 movie. Thankfully, the location work, the score and other technical aspects were all pretty solid, so at least in those areas the movie delivered.

Brendan Fraser is only fine in the lead role. His wide-eyed wonder and big smile were necessary for the protagonist, but his acting and charisma were somewhat lacking. Josh Hutcherson fared quite well opposite him as he was a pretty competent child actor during this period. I also liked the inclusion of gaming consoles, such as the PSP into the plot. But Hannah herself was quite a waste as she was dull and uninteresting.

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I would say that this Journey to the Center of the Earth works in the action department and fantastical sequences as it does have that imaginative quality to it and wonder that would make children very happy with this story. However, it lacks the scientific background behind this adventure, it is in shortage of the charm that I sorely need for this property, plus the whole tone felt too modern and kid-centric.

The 2008 adaptation of Journey to the Center of the Earth certainly has some solid action scenes, fine acting performances and a couple of genuinely cool and exciting moments, but it is so frenetic in pace that it truly resembled a theme park ride more so than a genuine movie. It also lacked the charm and adventure that this source material sorely needs as it felt overly modernized in tone.

My Rating – 3