Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Luis Guzman, and Michael Caine

Director: Brad Payton

Young adventurer Sean Anderson is back at it again partnering up with his mom’s boyfriend to search for his lost grandfather.

Sean Anderson a self proclaimed Vernian (The title for hardcore fans of the works of Jules Vern, to the point of believing they are not works of fiction but in fact true tales). Teams up with his mom’s boyfriend Hank (Dwayne Johnson) to travel to the south pacific in hopes of finding a hidden island not located on a traditional map. An island shrouded in so much mystery that it can only be called one thing “The Mysterious Island) If the thought of Sean Anderson searching in a supposedly non existent place to try to find a family member seems familiar then its most likely you know that was the plot of the original journey just replacing the center of the earth with an island, even if the island is rather mysterious.

Journey 2 is a light hearted romp that is a great movie for those ranging in age from 7-10. Dwayne brings the family friendly charisma that he has fined tuned in such family fare as The Game Plan and the Tooth Fairy. He shows his soft side (covering the interpretation of “what a wonderful world” made famous by the late Hawaiian IZ) as well as some tough guy posturing and a ridiculous 3-D scene involving peck flexing and berries. All the while, trying to befriend Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and gain his trust, while helping him grow into adulthood and find his grandfather. Vanessa Hudgens as the love interest Kailani provides a decent share of PG rated goodness walking around in short, shorts and a tank top, while her father Gabato (Luis Guzman) provides the comic relief( yes he gets pooped on this is a kids flick). Michael Caine as Alexander is beyond over the top, chewing on every scene like a homeless man given a free pass to Hometown Buffett.

I completely understand that this movie was not made for my demo. It’s a PG rated family adventure, A giant bird and bumblebee 3-D flight scene just doesn’t cut it for me, but more than likely will for the youngsters, Journey 2 while showcasing an island that reviles in its mystery by taking small things and making them big (but only some of the time, its a rather arbitrary rule primarily used to show a cute little elephant and later the bee chase, with a surprising lack of wildlife, its as if the island is populated by one offs of a few animals) While the premise is unoriginal its a solid family film with decent 3-D gimmickry. If I had to spend an hour and thirty four minutes with children I can think of a lot worse things to do than see Journey 2

Grade – 75