Movie Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth

Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) is a Geology Professor and scientist who has undertaken the research started by his brother Max who just happened to go missing long ago.  Max’s son Sean is preparing to visit his Uncle Trevor while his mom packs up for a big move to Canada. When he is dropped off, Trevor is given a box of Max’s belongings. Inside is a copy of the Jules Verne novel, Journey to the Center of the Earth. It turns out Max was obsessed with the idea that the center of our planet could exist as it does in the fictional story.   When Trevor realizes that some of Max’s notes in the book are identical to climate conditions today, Trevor and Sean set out to Iceland with to find out for himself what lurks beneath the surface.

Along the way, they hire a super-hot Icelandic mountain guide named Hannah to help them navigate the caves. Haphazardly, they locate this underground world filled with strange creatures and vast landscapes. Once the trio is deep below they find out that Max had lived in the underground world and use his journal when they have trouble escaping.  The movie has a touching and brief scene when Hannah discovers Max’s remains and Trevor and Sean have to come to grips with the death.

The movie has some great action sequences.  Our family favorites were the mine shaft ride – felt  just like being on a roller coaster – and the batting practice with the scariest looking fish you’ll ever see.   The movie is rated PG for intense action sequences and they are not lying.  There was more than one moment where my very adventurous four year-old was on my lap quicker than you could say T-Rex.   But he kept his eyes glued to the screen even if he was shaking in his boots.

Bottom line:  Don’t take kids that get scared easily.  Avoid the 3D version unless you have tweens/teens that can handle the intensity.