Before I get started on this review, I think I need to mention a few things about movies. Regardless of what most critics tell you… there is really no requirement for a movie to be important, have a message, teach you anything, or necessarily be believable. While those are all nice benefits from filmmakers who are able to deliver, the most critical aspect of any film is to be entertaining. I mean, whatever happened to movies that were just plain fun to watch? I also get tired of actors who are so self-important that they feel they can only put their name behind a movie with ‘Oscar’ written all over it. This is why I have such admiration for Brendan Fraser. There’s no question that he has the chops to deliver very deep performances. Just look at “Gods and Monsters” or “School Ties.” But his career has been made from making movies that are just fun to watch, and I’m sure were fun to make.

“The Mummy” series was a blast, “George of the Jungle” was silly, “Looney Tunes: Back in Action” was ludicrous… but all were entertaining.

This year, Fraser again delivers over the top, scene chewing with “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” This is a perfect case in point of a movie so ridiculous as to send most critics screaming out of the theater, but not this one. Sure, the film has little to do with the original Jules Verne novel other than to profess that some of Verne’s fictional theories might not have been so fictional. And when Fraser’s character (and entourage) follows his brother’s journey into the Earth’s crust, it’s important to note that most of what saves their lives they learned from reading the book.

Unfortunately I missed the movie in theatres, and I say unfortunately because it was offered up in 3D. This particular format used to be really cheesy, but there have been a lot of improvements over the years. The effects in “Journey to the Center of the Earth” would definitely have been fun in 3D. I did have a chance to watch the movie recently on Blu-Ray (which by the way is the way to go if you pick it up) and the whole family had a great time with it.

My only complaint is in New Line’s attempt to re-create the 3D effect in the home entertainment market. I’ve sat back to watch several 3D films on DVD (and now Blu-Ray) and the all share the same problem in that they cannot deliver what you see on the big screen. In the theatre, you get cool grey sunglasses which offer a true 3D effect. At home, you get the old cheap red and blue glasses. These give you as little bit of 3D, but the colors throw everything off and you get more of a headache than anything else. Admittedly, if you watch it at home, select the 2D version.

The Blu-Ray for “Journey to the Center of the Earth”, in its 2D version offers a crystal clear visual extravaganza of goofy special effects and the sound is extraordinary. We turned down the lights, made some popcorn and immersed ourselves (sans 3D) into the movie.

I was also hoping for a few more special features, after all this is a special effects movie. I’m all about knowing how they did it. Here there is a commentary by Fraser and director Eric Bevig, which is quite spirited but does not offer a lot of deep information. There are also three featurettes, all of which are rather brief. “A World Within Our World” which focuses mainly on some of the crazy theories about what lies below the Earth’s surface, while “Being Josh” introduces us to actor Josh Hutcherson. Finally you’ll find a very short featurette that gives us a lesson in making Dinosaur Drool. Again, it really could have been more.

Still, this new “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is loud and obnoxious, but it is a heck of a ride!

Directed by: Eric Brevig
Starring: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Extras: Commentary by Brendan Fraser and Director Eric Brevig, “A World Within Our World”, “Being Josh”, How to Make a Dinosaur Drool
Specs: 1080p High Definition 16x9 1.85:1, 3D and 2D, Dolby Digital 5.1
Studio: New Line
Release Date: 10/28/2008
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG
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We'll give Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D Blu-Ray a B.