'Journey to the Centre of the Earth' Movie Review

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Director: Eric Brevig
Rating: ***

The title pretty much gives an idea of the drive and the destination of this film. Journey to the Centre of the Earth is like those trademark expedition adventures where a group sets out to explore some forbidden territory. In this one the terrain is the centre of earth, a zone not explored before even in films.

The storyline is not out of the world. Prof. Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) teaches at the University and heads the Center of Volcanic Activity. His brother Max had worked on volcanic monitoring systems but never returned from his mission for reasons unknown. After some decoding in Max's copy of a book named ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’ by Jules Verne, Trevor flies down to Iceland along with his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) to check the monitoring units placed by Max.

They hire a mountain guide, Hannah (Anita Briem), to take them up the dormant volcano. Up the mountain they get trapped in a cave due to lightening. In their quest to get out of the cavern, starts their accidental journey to the centre of the earth. The journey literally begins on a roller-coaster note as they pass through an abandoned mine track on speeding carts. They are trapped deeper in their expedition as the floor cracks and they fall miles down inside a volcano tube till they reach the centre of earth. Once there, they discover the secrets of Max and then set back on a mission to resurface on earth.

Despite the brittle narrative, it’s the execution of the scenes that keeps you hooked to the screen throughout. Eric Brevig has been nominated twice at the Oscars for Special Effects and the visual splendour in his directorial debut is simply stunning. More importantly this is a film where the 3D format is exploited to the maximum effect. Each geological frame of the film livens up as you feel yourself experiencing the escapades with the trio. The encounter with primitive glowing birds and carnivorous plants are imaginative but the 3D effects are best perceived when flying piranhas pop out of the screen, straight on your face. The mine cart ride in the start and magnetic rock path towards the end has its thrilling moments.

Of course some geological logistics do seem improbable like the core of earth having an ocean bed and meeting with thunderstorms and lightening which aren’t scientifically justified. Also there’s an encounter with a T-Rex in the climactic chase which seems too far-fetched. But then my quest for logic in a popcorn flick isn’t as severe as my desire for the best utilization of the 3D format for optimum cinematic experience, even if that needs the extinct dinosaur to be brought back to life.

Despite a one-dimensional plot, Journey to the Centre of the Earth is enjoyable for the three-dimensional effects. Do not opt for the 2D version which would be as average as watching the film on DVD. For once, put on those spectacles for that spectacular experience.

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