Journey to the Center of the Earth
Before I am flooded with responses from those unable to tolerate American abuses of the Queen’s English, Journey to the Center of the Earth is an American film, hence the incorrect spelling of the word centre. Linguistic pedantry notwithstanding, this is a surprisingly entertaining film and far better than I expected.
In a niftily post-modern twist on Jules Verne’s classic novel, volcano scientist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) discovers that his brother, who mysteriously vanished ten years previously, was a “Vernean”, a member of a secret club who believe Jules Verne’s novels were factual accounts. With his thirteen year old nephew Sean and plucky mountain guide Hannah in tow, Trevor travels to Iceland to investigate mysterious readings on the same volcano where his brother vanished. Events conspire to trap them underground at the centre of the Earth where everything is precisely as described in Verne’s novel.
Part of the reason for the success of the film is the immensely likeable characters. Fraser is as fun here as he was in The Mummy. Anita Briem brings tremendous warmth and humour to the resourceful Hannah, and as Sean Josh Hutcherson is that rarity; a non-annoying kid. Michael Weiss’ swift, no-nonsense script gives each of them several opportunities to shine, and this above all will mean the film has life beyond its cinema run. Unlike other recent 3D movies such as Beowulf and The Polar Express, Journey to the Center of the Earth is interested in character and does not exclusively invest in special effects that will render the film worthless on a small screen.
That’s not to say one shouldn’t make the effort to see this in a cinema, and if possible, a 3D print. All the usual 3D money shots are present and correct, though when watching a 2D print, viewers may wonder why it was necessary for Brendan Fraser to spit on the camera lens. But regardless of whether it is viewed in 3D or 2D, director Eric Brevig creates many outstanding set pieces, my favourite of which involved magnetised rocks hovering over an abyss. Those familiar with the novel will also be pleased to see the various key events, such as the journey across the ocean, are all present and correct.
It’s not perfect. One or two nods to classic Steven Spielberg movies feel a little forced – notably a Jurassic Park style T-Rex chase and a mine car ride that shamelessly rips off Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Some of the effects don’t fully convince, and its certainly not groundbreaking cinema. That said if you enjoy adventure films and especially if you have children between about eight and twelve, this is a must-see. Your children will probably think its one of the best films they’ve ever seen, and it’s all the better for being clean as a whistle – no sex, violence or bad language but packed with thrills and excitement.
Simon Dillon, July 2008.
