MOVIE NEWS: Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
Editor’s note: we interrupt our regularly scheduled programming for a word from OWL assistant editor, Kendra Brown. (Craig will be back next week.) Enjoy!
Okay, blog readers, who’s ready for an adventure? Well, not a real adventure… a 3-D one on the big screen! Journey 2: The Mysterious Island hits theatres today, and since I got a chance to see it earlier this week, I’m here to tell you about it.
The movie is a sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth, which also starred Josh Hutcherson as Sean Anderson. Four years after his first adventure, Sean receives a distress signal from a mysterious island and becomes convinced it’s from his missing grandfather. So he sets off on a quest to find him… and the strange island he’s read about in classic books by Jules Verne, Jonathan Swift, and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Along for the journey are Sean’s stepfather, Hank, and Gabato and Kailani (played by Vanessa Hudgens), a father and daughter from the first stop on their quest: Palau. Although Sean is convinced the island exists, Hank, Gabato, and Kailani aren’t so sure — until their helicopter crash-lands on it during a storm. As the frightened foursome start to discover all of the strange creatures, lost cities, and secrets lurking on the island, they also start to realize how slim their chances of surviving are. Will they be able to find Sean’s grandfather and make it off the island alive? You’ll have to watch to find out!
Here are a few observations about the movie:
1) It’s fantastical. The plot of this movie is pretty far-fetched, but I think that’s part of the fun. I mean, who wouldn’t want to find a mysterious island, home to miniature elephants and mountains of gold? I know I would. But in order to enjoy the movie, you have to be able to suspend your disbelief. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself saying things like, “Yeah, right!” (Which, I admit, I did a few times.)
2) It’s action-packed. This flick is full of adventure from the very start. And in this case, I think the 3-D adds to the experience. (I know, we don’t say that very often anymore.) From a battle with a larger-than-life lizard to a flight on the backs of some seriously big bumblebees, the 3-D technology makes these scenes jump right off the screen. It’s literally in-your-face action.
3) It’s funny. In between all of the action and adventure — and even during it — there are lots of laughs. Hank and Gabato provide most of the comedy with plenty of silly one-liners. Plus, watching the cast take a ride on the back of a giant bee is pretty funny in itself.
Overall, I thought this movie was a fun one. It may not win any Academy Awards, but if 3-D action and adventure are what you’re after, then this movie may just be for you!
What do you think? Will you go see this movie? If you do, come back and share your thoughts!
Kendra, owlblog@owlkids.com
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That sounds cool! It’s not really the kind of movie I would watch, though…
Fun Fact: Josh Hutcherson also plays Peeta in THG!
I know…. I was pretty disappointed with the movie cast, but I think it will be ok… 🙁
That’s what I thought at first as well, but then I watched the trailer, and the characters seemed to fit, so *shrug*
There’s some differences in the movie too, like the character Madge isn’t there… Katniss gives Prim the Mockingjay pin and then takes it with her to the arena… my expectations are kind of low, but if it’s good I guess I’ll have a pleasant surprise!
Wait… there’s no Madge? That’s a pretty big change in the plotline… =(
I know! I’m so sad Madge isn’t in it… It takes away from the whole thing, cuz now there’s no maysilee/ haymitch stuff. I’m guessing you guys have read it?
Yeah, I have read it! (Five times, actually) =)
I never thought about the effect on the Maysilee/Haymitch thing. I wonder if they’ll work something out, or if they’ll just omit it entirely!
Yup, I’ve read them too. And I guess they omitted Madge because it would be a pretty big dent in the budget of the 2nd movie to have to film the whole 50-year Quarter Quell with Haymitch and stuff… but I’m kind of disappointed, because Madge was one of my favourite characters! 🙁
That is a good point….
I really wanted them to include the 50-year Quell though! It would be really interesting…
I know, me too… I’m sure the movie will be decent…ish.
I like how the original post was about an entirely different movie, but all of the comments are about The Hunger Games 😛
Ohhh!!! This movie???!!! This is the one my friend was talking about! Sweeett!
Yeah, that’s true. I would’ve liked to see the fiftieth. Read the 2nd and 3rd?