'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' Review: Popcorn Fare for the Family

"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," starring Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Josh Hutcherson, Luis Guzman, Vanessa Hudgens, and Kristin Davis, is a throwback to family adventure movies that fall into the category of non-offensive popcorn fare that will entertain well enough when the lights are down but will most likely be forgotten in the light of day. Although launched with dazzling 3D, surprisingly the most meaningful parts of the film are the low-tech nods to adventure/fantasy author Jules Verne, and Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's ukulele playing. That's not to say there aren't moments when the high-tech 3D isn't effective or fun, but it does feel like the novelty is wearing out.

From the get-go, writers Richard Outten, Brian Gunn, and Mark Gunn pay homage to the magnificently imaginative Verne, author of such classic novels as "A Journey to the Center of the Earth," "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea," and "Around the World in Eighty Days." All published in the late 1800s, Verne envisioned space, land, and underwater travel long before such things were invented. In the film's opening, looking into a mass of swirling clouds that form an abyss for adventure, a narrator (Caine) proclaims that some thought Verne's work was science fiction but "we" (i.e., the smart characters in the film and in the audience) "know otherwise."

Smash cutting to the modern day, Sean (Hutcherson) rides atop a motorbike that speeds through the night streets of suburban Ohio, trailed by multiple police vehicles. Although creative in his escape, which includes propelling over a children's slide into a backyard pool, Sean is collared. Shortly thereafter, his stepfather -- or as Sean says, his legal guardian, Hank (Johnson) -- collects him. The two are at odds. Sean is hurting from his father's death and his mom's (Davis) remarriage to good-guy Hank, whom Sean finds irritating.

That is, until Hank proves himself useful by helping Sean decipher a strange radio signal that Sean received. Sean is positive that it's from his adventurer-explorer grandfather Alexander Anderson (Caine). The message, "The Island Is Real," must certainly mean Verne's Mysterious Island.

Hank agrees to accompany Sean down to Palau, New Guinea, certain that the island doesn't exist. But with the help of island helicopter tour guide Gabato (Guzman) and his daughter Kailani (Hudgens), the four happen upon the nonexistent Mysterious Island, and later, Sean's grandfather. The island and its fantastic creatures offer an ample opportunity for 3D. Some of the technical effects are excellent, and some disappointingly less so. Between Alexander and Hank's verbal sparring, all come to the realization that the island, with its 140 year cycle, is sinking underwater.

Sean's rally call "Who's up for an adventure?" takes on an urgent meaning as the five must work together to find a way off the island. Director Brad Peyton ("Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore") nicely weaves in themes of the importance of family, responsibility, and sacrifice into this family adventure. Highlights include the scene where the leads harness gigantic bumble bees for travel that turns dangerous as White Throated Needletail birds go into attack mode, and the search for Verne's submarine, the Nautilus.

With its PG rating and Dwayne Johnson's charm, "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is perfectly fine popcorn entertainment for the family. One just wishes it had a little more dramatic and comedic oomph to match Jules Verne's classics.

"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" is 94 minutes and Rated PG.

For other film reviews by Lori Huck, check out:
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'The Artist' Review: A Silent Masterpiece in Modern Film