Title: Journey to the Center of the Earth; Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem; Genre: Adventure; Director: Eric Brevig; Screenplay: Michael Weiss and Jennifer Flackett & Mark Levin; Original Story: Jules Verne; Producer: Toby Emmerich; Distributor: New Line Cinema; Location: US, Europe; Running Time: 92mins
Technical Assessment: 3
Moral Assessment: 3
Rating: For viewers 13 and above
Scientist and Professor Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) and his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson), whose father died searching for the center of the Earth when Sean was just a boy, set out somewhere in Europe to find this mystical/mythical place hidden thousands of miles below the Earth’s surface. Circumstances lead them to meet up with Hannah Ásgeirsson, the daughter of a once great scientist who also believed that the center of the Earth does, in fact, exist and Jules Verne’s novel “Journey to the Center of the Earth” was not a work of fiction. She agrees to take them to the mountain top where Sean’s father disappeared and her father did a bulk of his research. Once there, they stumble upon a cave, and by accident, they’re taken directly to the center of the Earth. From there on, they’re into one amazing ride after another as they attempt to escape the amazing yet dangerous lost world—a place loaded with prehistoric creatures, wondrous plant life and other weird phenomena.
Journey to the Center of the Earth is nothing more than a spectacle. Using 3-D technology, the film takes its audience to a fun-filled ride and adventure. The film’s premise though is a bit high-brow and alienates audiences who are not fully aware or knowledgeable of many scientific terms and jargon. Story-wise, the emotional flow is rather flat and predictable. Characters are uninteresting and their relationships are trite. The romance layer is also blunt and audiences may only remain indifferent to the love story up until the end of the movie. Although the effects are spectacular, the movie fails to suspend audience’s disbelief that such a place can actually exist. It is perhaps the fault of the director or a failure in storytelling. But then, taking the movie as a theme park ride, it is still a good watch.
In this mystical place at the center of the earth, there is no mention of whether God exists. Could it be a place where God is not needed, where monsters rule and all the nature endangers human life? The motivation of the characters to dig deep down the earth’s surface is also unclear. Are they trying to look for their loved ones who may be trapped inside? Or is it just ego trip that they can actually find a place and prove theories and speculations more than they can imagine? However, looking into their relationships and the apparent concern for each other, audiences may appreciate furthermore the company of friends, relatives and loved ones. At all times and at all costs, human life must be preserved. Humans are responsible for one another and that is one valuable lesson in the movie. Amidst monsters and dangers, there would always be good-natured creatures that will unconditionally help us go through, carry on and trust in the omnipresent goodness of God. The film is suited even for the very young, however, some images and visual effects may cause trauma if they are not guided and supervised by adults.
