JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH (2008)

Steer clear of this movie.
Don't let the respectable reviews fool you, this is one of the worst movies of the year so far. Brendan Fraser is an awful actor and this is one of his worst performances yet (right up there with Dudley Do-Right)...someone younger, fresher, and with a sharper sense of comic timing would have fared much better. The child actor is just as bad and the female lead's accent (not sure if it's real or fake) is almost indecipherable.

There are some moments where it strikes the perfect balance of family-aimed adventure and humor but they are very rare and don't last very long at all. Some sequences and moments are way too scary for kids...and wordplay with a type of rock that sounds like "sh*t" in a PG movie? Interesting...

This is just an odd, muddled, pointless movie that is so dumb and stupid in nearly every way. And you'll most likely have to pay $14 to see it (if you see it in 3D which is at least mildly entertaining...to watch it without 3D must be torture)...please save your $14 and go buy some popcorn and a ticket for WALL-E an infinitely better family film in every sense.

* out of ****
D

Updated On: 7/12/08 at 12:36 AM

What were the glasses like?

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Oh GOOD. Another brilliant sci-fi classic that I've loved since I was teeny tiny, bastardised into a horrible film that bears no resemblance to the book.

I swear, the only person who actually *gets* classic sci-fi the same way I do is Philip Reeve. He should get into screenwriting.

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Well, since I think Brendan Fraser is one of the best actors, ever, I find it hard to put any stock in your opinion of this film. It may stink, but by calling him an "awful actor", it pretty much negates anything else you have to say. Besides, you think Wicked rocks, so that's pretty telling, as well.

I went to a press screening a few weeks ago. It is not a great film but the 3D was really fabulous. I felt it was a thrill ride.
If you like roller coaster rides the movie is a large joy ride from start to finish. Some poping out fish made me scream which was sort of funny.

I screamed on top of my lungs. I did prefer Walle and Mamma Mia but I had a great time at Journey. See it at AMC early for $6.00.

I always see 3 D movies as I am fascinated with the process

I remember fondly 3D Comic Books. The only 3D movie I can remember skipping was Warhol's Frankenstein as it was too bloody for my tastes.

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We saw it today, and really had a good time. Far from a masterpiece, and if we saw the 2D, would have probably been bored, but the 3D version was very enjoyable. Yes, the dialogue is very cheesy, but the 3D effects were incredible !!

We went early as well, and paid $6.

Brendan Fraser is an awful actor

Not in Gods and Monsters, Blast From the Past or Twilight of the Golds. And when I saw his as Brick in Streetcar Named Desire in London, he was absolutely brilliant. It was almost as if the role was written for him. But if you are expecting a brilliant acting performance (or direction) in a summer family popcorn flick remake like Journey to the Center of the Earth, maybe your expectations are a little high.

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