Mirth Island
Sean (Josh Hutcherson - Bridge to Terabithia) has struggled ever since his mum married Hank (Dwayne Johnson - Tooth Fairy) as he has struggled to bond with his muscle bound stepfather. It is why when Hank helps Sean decipher a message which reportedly gives the locations of Jules Verne's mysterious island he agrees to take Sean on an adventure to find it, hiring Gabato (Luis Guzmán) and his attractive daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens - Bandslam) to fly them there in their old chopper. After flying in to a storm they crash down on the mysterious island and the adventure begins as they not only encounter all manner of creatures, big and small, but also Sean's grandpa Alexander (Michael Caine - Is Anybody There?). But the island is in trouble as it is sinking and their only hope of getting off is to find the Nautilus.
Do you like witty lines, comical put downs and dancing pecs? Chances are you will enjoy "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" as it is full of comical characters delivering amusing put downs and witty lines. In fact after watching "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" a second time I encountered funny lines which I missed the first time around and I bet when I watch it again, and I will, I will spot and hear jokes I missed the first two times. I could really go on because the writers have done a wonderful job when it comes to the writing; well it has to be good when you have Rock calling Michael Caine grandma.
Aside from all the witty dialogue "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" has an action side and the special effects team have certainly gone above and beyond to give us over sized creatures and perilous bridges to cross which are draped with shape forming moss. In truth some of it feels too over the top, put in to the movie to highlight that "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" was made for 3D but in doing so ends up making some scenes feel gimmicky. Okay for some they will love all the 3D special effects but for me it ended up being too much of a gimmick.
Of course there is also the casting and it has to be said that Dwayne Johnson is in full self depreciating humour mode and it is a lot of fun especially in the scenes he shares with Michael Caine. Truth be told the actual characters in "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" almost feel unimportant as whilst Luis Guzmán brings humour and Vanessa Hudgens is an attractive love interest for Josh Hutcherson you kind of pay no attention to names.
What this all boils down to is that "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is some popcorn entertainment with plenty of special effects and a lot of witty dialogue. But whilst it is certainly worth more than one viewing due to all the humour it isn't a great movie.
