Journey To The Center Of The Earth 3D review

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Progressive volcanology, we learn shortly into Eric Brevig’s spin on Jules Verne’s novel, was “a failed idea, like eight-track tape”. Also like, you might add, previous attempts to persuade moviegoers that the future of cinema involves wearing silly specs.

Former effects man Brevig’s world-within-a-world adventure retries these wheezes through text-within-a-text plotting and James Cameron’s favoured extra-dimension tech. The plot spins out from annotations made in a copy of Verne’s book belonging to geology prof Trevor’s (Brendan Fraser) long-missing brother that point to Earth-shaking in Iceland. Lumbered with said sibling’s son for a week, Trevor drags reluctant nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) over there, where they meet ‘feisty’ guide Hannah (Anita Briem), get stuck up a volcano’s arse and act on the dozy idea of descending 200ft further. They land in Verne-land, where so-called ‘Real D’ 3D (previously used in Chicken Little and Monster House) headbutts real-life action for the first time on the big screen.

Do star and FX hold up? Just. After a playful entrée of Fraser gobbing toothpaste on our heads and the irritation of someone’s leg blocking the screen – oh, wait, it’s Fraser’s leg – the full-meal FX include jumping piranhas, glow-birds, rickety mine-rail rollercoasters, the requisite dinosaur and Ruins-for-kids foliage. Cue “oohs” from audience ankle-biters. Meanwhile, Fraser makes a game lead, tearing his top to action-lug size, despite being a scientist and tonsil-tickling Hannah despite the age gap. Cue sighs from audience dads…

The downside? The Temple Of Doom rail-ride sequence, Jurassic Park-ish journey of child-sitting self discovery and the three-handed plot means there’s little that’s fresh or fleshed out. Journey works largely as a showcase for 3D remixes of other movies’ set-pieces. The new tech works, the plotting is brisk and Fraser’s actioneering persona shapes up solidly for The Mummy 3 and Inkheart. But is this the future of flicks? Nah, just affable future bank-holiday TV.

Flash FX, perky perfs and a cut-to-the-chase story make for solid family fun, but there's little more here than critters in your lap. The 3D looks great but we're still waiting for a great 3D film. You hearing us, Jim?

The Total Film team are made up of the finest minds in all of film journalism. They are: Editor Jane Crowther, Deputy Editor Matt Maytum, Reviews Ed Matthew Leyland, News Editor Jordan Farley, and Online Editor Emily Murray. Expect exclusive news, reviews, features, and more from the team behind the smarter movie magazine. 

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