Movie Review: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Rating: PG
Length: 94 minutes
Release date: February 10, 2012
Directed by: Brad Peyton
Genre: Action, Adventure, and Comedy

Stars: 3 out of 5

A sequel to "Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" has an all-new story and plot to thrill audience members. The second film is also based on the stories by Jules Verne, and favorite character Sean Anderson appears in both movies for continuity.

In the charming sequel, Sean Anderson partners up with his mother's husband in order to find his grandfather, who has gone missing. A distress signal comes from a place in the ocean where no land is thought to exist, and it reveals that Sean's grandfather is trapped on a mythical island. After finding traveling companions, Sean sets out to find his grandfather, and the group travels to the mysterious island that few people would ever go to or live to tell the tale.

The movie follows the cast as they explore an island that is strange, threatening, and beautiful. There are scenes with new life forms, mountains of gold, and volcanoes, just to name a few of the sights audience members can look forward to seeing. The movie moves quickly from the start, pulling the audience back into the world created in the first movie.

The film was shot on location in Hawaii, giving it a unique batch of scenic views that give the story a beautiful and extravagant look. The cast, which includes Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, and Michael Caine, is filled with popular A-listers who play their roles masterfully.

The most promising and surprising part of the film is likely the 3-D animation that is provided in nearly every scene. Patrons will need to wear 3-D glasses for the length of the film to watch without missing the excitement of the adventure. The CG and special effects are astonishing, although possibly not realistic, and they help teleport viewers into the world that has been created.

As it is rated PG for some adventure action and mild language, this film is ideal for families and young adults. Created to be a film for younger viewers, the movie is safe for people under 18, but it still provides entertainment for adults and older teens. High sound quality and intricate special effects are exciting but still family-friendly, so younger children won't be scared by violence or 3-D monsters.

The benefit of this movie is that families won't need to see "Journey to the Center of the Earth" before viewing it. The background isn't necessary, because the story stands on its own. The story can be a little predictable, but it's meant for children and isn't hard to understand or too complex. During the course of the movie, relationships between the characters take place, allowing developments between fathers and daughters, boy and girl, and so on.

There are many funny moments, and audience members will have a good time laughing in between more touching or thrilling scenes. A quirky tour guide helps move along the plot with comic relief, and his daughter becomes the love interest of the main character during the movie. The movie offers up cute lessons about relationships, honor, and compassion. For those who love action, a large amount of time is spent on the action/adventure scenes, so the film moves swiftly from one scene to the next without any unnecessary down time.

This movie has no sexual overtones or undertones, no bad language, and contains many life lessons, so it is perfect for people who want to take children to see a good-natured film. The extremely kid-friendly film is sure to make children laugh, jump in surprise, squeal with delight, and pay attention, which is what is most important when it comes to children's movies.

For a movie that provides fun and energy to viewing, "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is a great way to spend some time during an afternoon with family. Even without kids, this movie is unpretentious and fun for adults, without the violence, aggression, language, or sexuality that often mars the silver screen. Adults will appreciate the special effects, scenery, and cinematography provided by the film, which add to the realism of the story. Parents can appreciate being able to drop off younger teens at the movies without worrying about language or adult content.