This comment is based on the 3D version of the film.
This movie joins Bewitched as an unusual adaptation where the characters are aware of the adapted book. Indeed in Journey To The Center Of The Earth, the characters know Jules Verne's classic book and actually use it as a guide since they find out that, well, Jules was right.
Not much can be said about the story. 3 people fall to "the center of the Earth", discover a prehistoric "world within a world", realize they must get out or be boiled alive by the rising temperatures, face a variety of dangers and challenges and get out. Don't go to this movie expecting depths of dialog the level of Zodiac or Eastern Promises or even expecting badass action as in Iron Man. Don't forget that you're watching a movie designed for the whole family. Journey is just simple straightforward harmless adventure which moves at a very brisk pace. Indeed the film, though more than 90 minutes long, feels incredibly short, which, depending on your view, could be a good or a bad thing.
The 3D in this film is probably of a better quality, but it basically works in the same way as Spy Kids 3D and Sharkboy & Lavagirl. Once in a while, something will really stretch out of the screen (most often a hand) but most of the time the 3D adds a..."more real" depth to the image, I guess you could say. The effect is certainly interesting, but is it really better than watching a 2D movie? Is Journey in 3D better than Journey in 2D? I couldn't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure it is, the 3D makes it special. But what I mean to say is this: would the Indiana Jones films be better in 3D? or the Die Hard films? etc... Honestly I don't think so. Perhaps when watching a 3D movie on a really humongous screen could it really give a heightened sense of realism, but it would really have to be huge, because the screen I saw it on was already pretty damn big. Thus, I'm really doubtful that 3D is the next big step in cinema. It's fun and cool to see a 3D movie and to have some come out from time to time, but I think 2D should remain the mainstream and I'll even go as far as to say that I believe 2D can be more involving than 3D (strange, I know).
All that being said, I think Journey should be watched in 3D if you have the chance. The first feature directed by Eric Brevig (ILM visual effects whiz who supervised the effects on many movies from Total Recall to The Island, directed the second unit on some of them and also directed a few episodes of Xena) is an innocent, fun ride which should keep you entertained if you remember not to take it seriously. Far from being the best movie of summer 2008, it is nevertheless enjoyable and I wouldn't mind seeing the hinted at "Atlantis 3D" sequel.
This movie joins Bewitched as an unusual adaptation where the characters are aware of the adapted book. Indeed in Journey To The Center Of The Earth, the characters know Jules Verne's classic book and actually use it as a guide since they find out that, well, Jules was right.
Not much can be said about the story. 3 people fall to "the center of the Earth", discover a prehistoric "world within a world", realize they must get out or be boiled alive by the rising temperatures, face a variety of dangers and challenges and get out. Don't go to this movie expecting depths of dialog the level of Zodiac or Eastern Promises or even expecting badass action as in Iron Man. Don't forget that you're watching a movie designed for the whole family. Journey is just simple straightforward harmless adventure which moves at a very brisk pace. Indeed the film, though more than 90 minutes long, feels incredibly short, which, depending on your view, could be a good or a bad thing.
The 3D in this film is probably of a better quality, but it basically works in the same way as Spy Kids 3D and Sharkboy & Lavagirl. Once in a while, something will really stretch out of the screen (most often a hand) but most of the time the 3D adds a..."more real" depth to the image, I guess you could say. The effect is certainly interesting, but is it really better than watching a 2D movie? Is Journey in 3D better than Journey in 2D? I couldn't say for sure, but I'm pretty sure it is, the 3D makes it special. But what I mean to say is this: would the Indiana Jones films be better in 3D? or the Die Hard films? etc... Honestly I don't think so. Perhaps when watching a 3D movie on a really humongous screen could it really give a heightened sense of realism, but it would really have to be huge, because the screen I saw it on was already pretty damn big. Thus, I'm really doubtful that 3D is the next big step in cinema. It's fun and cool to see a 3D movie and to have some come out from time to time, but I think 2D should remain the mainstream and I'll even go as far as to say that I believe 2D can be more involving than 3D (strange, I know).
All that being said, I think Journey should be watched in 3D if you have the chance. The first feature directed by Eric Brevig (ILM visual effects whiz who supervised the effects on many movies from Total Recall to The Island, directed the second unit on some of them and also directed a few episodes of Xena) is an innocent, fun ride which should keep you entertained if you remember not to take it seriously. Far from being the best movie of summer 2008, it is nevertheless enjoyable and I wouldn't mind seeing the hinted at "Atlantis 3D" sequel.