Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Adventurous, fantastical films are really the meat of why films were invented-- to be able to go to some other world, time and place so as to escape from the every day world all done with an entertaining format. The 'matinee idol' serial type films were big in the 30's and 40's, so the audience could be transported to a fantastical place and time. This is why "Raiders of the Lost Ark", "Star Wars", and the like have been able to make a comeback. The same could be said for "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island".

Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) reluctantly partners with Hank (Dwayne Johnson), his stepdad whom he has a problem with, on a mission to find his Grandfather, Alexander Anderson (Michael Caine), who is thought to be missing on a mythical island according to Sean. In fact Sean, through his own research, believes his Grandfather is on Mysterious Island, an island that is in Jules Verne's novel, The Mysterious Island.

They end up arriving at a small island in the South Pacific and commission Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his daughter, Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) to get them to the island. As they arrive on this fantastical island, they do find Alexander, but soon afterward, realize they must get off the island due to a volcanic eruption which will cause the island to sink into the ocean.

Others to round out the cast are Kristin Davis as Liz, Hank's wife, Anna Colwell as Jessica, Brandscombe Richmond as a tour guide, and Walter Bankson as a hockey player.

This was directed by Brad Peyton ("Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore" '10). This guy has also done some TV and many shorts to add to his resume. He will undoubtedly get more work, because, considering his lesser experience, this was directed quite effectively. It was written by Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn based on a story by Richard Outten, Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn which is based on Jules Verne's novel.

You've got to see this on the large screen, because the visual effects, predominantly designed by Digital Domain, MPC (Moving Picture Company), and Rising Sun Pictures, and the 3D process simply makes this as fantastical as the story itself. It is worth the price of admission.

In this day and age where we are beleaguered with graphic violence, gratuitous sex, expletives galore in films, it is certainly refreshing to view a film that is fun, wholesome, without being too sappy, and that is something the entire family can watch. Wow, what a novelty!

Out of 4 stars: 3.5                           Rated: PG                           94min.