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Movies / On DVD / Journey to the Center of the Earth
Journey to the Center of the Earth

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Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

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Reviews Counted:149

Fresh:91

Rotten:58

Average Rating:6/10

Consensus: Modern visuals and an old fasioned storyline make this family adventure/comedy a fast-paced, kitschy ride.

Australian Rating: PG [See Full Rating] Action adventure and some scary scenes

Runtime: 1 hr 32 mins

Genre: Action/Adventure

Australian Theatrical Release:
Sep 25, 2008 Wide

US Box Office: $101,653,320

Synopsis: This 2008 movie update of Jules Verne's classic sci-fi/fantasy novel uses the 1864 tale as a template, with its hero, scientist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser), referring to his missing brother's... This 2008 movie update of Jules Verne's classic sci-fi/fantasy novel uses the 1864 tale as a template, with its hero, scientist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser), referring to his missing brother's notes on the novel. His nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) in tow, Anderson travels to Iceland to investigate his sibling's theories, enlisting a fellow scientist's daughter, Hannah (Anita Briem), as a guide. Soon the trio's Icelandic mountain trek descends into a cave and, then deeper still to, naturally, the center of the earth, where dinosaurs and other strange prehistoric creatures still dwell. After many dangerous encounters with the native flora and fauna, Trevor, Sean, and Hannah must find a way back to the surface or face being stranded miles below the earth's crust. Directed by Eric Brevig, a veteran Hollywood visual effects supervisor (MEN IN BLACK, THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW), JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH clearly delights in unveiling eye-catching CGI creatures and landscapes. Presented in some theaters in 3D format, the film features lunging beasts and vertigo-inducing visions, which are effective even in 2D, while Fraser, working in the same amiable vein as the MUMMY movies, provides a human focus amidst the special effects. For fans of the ever-likable Fraser and/or the JOURNEY story, there is plenty to enjoy in this effects-heavy adventure film. [More]

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem, Jane Wheeler

Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem, Jane Wheeler

Director: Eric Brevig

Director: Eric Brevig
Screenwriter: Michael Weiss, Jennifer Flackett, Mark Levin
Producer: Charlotte Huggins, Beau Flynn
Composer: Andrew Lockington
Studio: New Line Cinema

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Journey to the Center of the Earth

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1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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The movie proves the perfect showcase for 3D. I can't say that it does the same for Fraser.

Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
10/03/08
Sandra Hall
Sandra Hall
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Giant fossilised mushrooms, flying fish with massive teeth, glowing bluebirds, a rollercoaster ride on an underground mine railway and magnetic floating rocks are some of the ingredients of this 3D adventure take on Jules Verne's classic sci-fi novel . .

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
09/18/08
Louise Keller
Louise Keller
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The utopian ecosystem setting - dominated by lush rainforests and vast oceans - is magnificent to gawk at, and the 3D cinematography makes fine use of the prehistoric wildlife and unexplained phenomena.

Full Review Source: Herald Sun (Australia) | comment Comment
09/26/08
Leigh Paatsch
Leigh Paatsch
Herald Sun (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Poor Brendan Fraser, he must have known he had nothing to work with here, he looks as if he’s sleepwalking through the role, not a career highlight for him.

Full Review Source: At the Movies (Australia) | comment Comment
09/26/08
Margaret Pomeranz
Margaret Pomeranz
At the Movies (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Fraser salvages his reputation as a solid, matinee-style action hero in this family-oriented fantasy.

Full Review Source: Daily Telegraph (Australia) | comment 1 Comment
09/26/08
Vicky Roach
Vicky Roach
Daily Telegraph (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The stars here are the novelties of 3D, which certainly make it fun %u2013 just a tad repetitive for anyone over 25, I suspect

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
09/18/08
Andrew L. Urban
Andrew L. Urban
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's all curiously uninvolving, and it's only Fraser's goofy grin and slapstick physicality that hold any character interest whatsoever.

Full Review Source: FILMINK (Australia) | comment Comment
09/26/08
Jarrod Walker
Jarrod Walker
FILMINK (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Brevig does a barely competent job of imitating the Indiana Jones movies, and seems more hindered than helped by his chosen format...

Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
09/26/08
Jake Wilson
Jake Wilson
The Age (Australia)
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Obviously aimed at kids, but it's an enjoyable romp.

Full Review Source: Denton Record Chronicle (TX) | comment Comment
07/14/08
Boo Allen
Boo Allen
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

Instead of collapsing under thunderous CGI and fart jokes, Brevig crafts a delightfully retro entertainment, light and funny and summery.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
07/10/08
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

Probably has the highest screams-per-capita ratio in the history of action-adventure pics, and a better thrill-per-minute deal than most.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/30/08
John Anderson
John Anderson
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It's harmless fun, and it makes for an often impressive display of the latest generation of computer-wizardry.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
07/11/08
William Arnold
William Arnold
Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Fraser does his Mummy best to save us from the true disaster--the script.

Full Review Source: Paste Magazine | comment Comment
07/11/08
Tim Basham
Tim Basham
Paste Magazine

Make sure to catch this latest iteration of the Jules Verne novel on a screen projecting it in 3-D format because without all the fun visual effects of stuff 'comin' right at ya,' this journey's center will not hold.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
07/10/08
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

If you can turn off your mind, and I know that is pretty easy for most of us, then you'll get a kick out of this 3D journey.

Full Review Source: The Scorecard Review | comment Comment
08/27/08
Jeff Bayer
Jeff Bayer
The Scorecard Review

In 3D, it's a knockout -- you'll think you've experienced the greatest tooth-brushing scene in movie history.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
07/11/08
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

The story is slight and predictable, the character development pretty much nonexistent, and though the effects are generally solid, without 3-D the movie would be pointless.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Weekly | comment Comment
07/10/08
Josh Bell
Josh Bell
Las Vegas Weekly

In generating what amounts to a 90-minute theme park ride, the filmmakers lost track of the need to tell a compelling story to supplement the eye candy.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment 2 Comments
07/10/08
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews

If you plan to see this movie at all, see it at a 3D engagement, because the spectacular computer-generated imagery - as often as not flying out of the screen and into your face - is the only reason for the price of admission.

Full Review Source: ESplatter | comment Comment
07/17/08
Steve Biodrowski
Steve Biodrowski
ESplatter

The first summer movie that is both: a) truly comparable to a roller coaster ride; and b) significantly worse than a roller coaster ride.

Full Review Source: Antagony & Ecstasy | comment Comment
07/15/08
Tim Brayton
Tim Brayton
Antagony & Ecstasy
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by critic A-Z; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Latest News for Journey to the Center of the Earth

March 13, 2009: Brevig Plots Another 3-D Journey Opens in new window
Thanks to a $240 million worldwide gross and some healthy DVD numbers, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" will be getting a sequel, with Eric Brevig back in the director's chair. More...

February 25, 2009: Eric Brevig Directing Yogi Bear Opens in new window
One 3-D project deserves another, so Eric Brevig will go from directing "Journey to the Center of the Earth" to Warner Bros.' 3-D live-action/CGI "Yogi Bear" feature. More...

January 06, 2009: Academy Names Shortlist for Visual Effects Oscar Opens in new window
The Academy has narrowed its choices for this year's visual effects Oscar, naming "Australia," "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button," "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D,"... More...

October 27, 2008: RT on DVD: Zombie Strippers, Meet Kit Kittredge!
For the week leading up to All Hallow's Eve, there's a surprising dearth of new horror releases hitting DVD. Rest assured, though, titillation and scares can be found in a trio... More...

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