Journey To The Centre Of The Earth
Jul 11 2008 by The Journal
(1hr 32mins) Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem. Director: Eric Brevig
THE fantastical storyline which underpins the remake of Journey To The Centre Of The Earth may continually hark back to Jules Verne’s mid-19th century novel, but Eric Brevig’s film is unquestionably a 21st century beast.
Marrying state-of-the-art special effects with old-fashioned family morals, this rollicking romp is the first live-action picture of its kind to be shot in digital 3D.
Sadly, only selected cinemas around the UK are able to screen Brevig’s adventure in its full eye-popping glory, including a school of flying piranhas that instinctively causes the audience to duck for cover.
With guide Hannah Asgeirsson (Anita Briem) leading the way, Professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) and his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) stumble upon a cave system that leads deep beneath the surface of the Earth, to a world filled with ferocious fauna and flora, extinct wildlife, and an ill-tempered relative of the T-Rex.
After the opening 30 minutes, Journey To The Centre Of The Earth reverts to a series of polished set pieces. Fraser plies the usual brand of joviality and machismo while Briem fans the flames of the obligatory romantic subplot. A feel-good ending leaves the door ajar for a sequel and an expedition to the lost city of Atlantis.
