Journey to the Centre of the Earth 3-D
Eric Brevig


Journey is a film tailor-made to showcase 3-D technology.
The plot is an excuse to get geologist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser), his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and their guide Hannah (Anita Briem) to the otherworldly realm at the centre of the earth, one filled with exotic flora and fauna.
Naturally, the way there involves a jolting ride in an abandoned mine and lots of freefalling.
The 3-D effect took a little getting used to, especially when Fraser pops into larger-than-life view for the first time.
But the you-are-there impact was cool for the roller coaster ride, which could definitely have been longer. Another standout sequence was that of Sean crossing over a pathway of floating magnetic rocks.
Somewhat surprisingly, the real-life landscape of Iceland fared much better in 3-D than the computer-generated vistas, which seemed kind of flat in the distance.
On the whole, this is an enjoyable romp but you wonder if you should be watching this in an amusement park instead of in a cinema.
(ST)