Rate the last movie you watched.

[Nutcase]

Originally Posted by Belmit

Journey to the Center of the Earth

Odd film. Brendan Fraser is a scientist whose brother was a Vernian (someone who believes Jules Verne's stories were based on fact) but went missing ten years ago, seemingly searching for the portal to the centre of the Earth. The seismic probes he left around the world have been gradually failing one by one, and Fraser has been watching them for a decade, dismally keeping his brother's legacy alive (though he doesn't know the exact purpose of why his brother left until later).

The premise sounds good, but this is a Hollywood B-movie through and through. It's a paint by numbers adventure and the first half-hour is just one giant sluice to get Fraser, his estranged 13-year-old nephew and a hot Icelandic girl (the wonderful Anita Briem who is too good for this movie and will no doubt go on to great things) to the portal in Iceland.

It's all almost plausible right up until the minecart bit, then you know we're slap bang in the middle of CGI cheese (yum!) and contrived action. I think the film was released in 3D at the cinemas and I can see how it would fare much better in that medium.

Good premise, but poorly thought out and about 70% CGI. The only thing that elevates this above a made for TV film is the acting of the three leads, which just about makes it bearable to sit through. Shame it couldn't have been better.

3/10

Funnily enough watched this at the weekend too. Can't add or argue with anything you say. The groan I let out at the sight of the mine train CGI could probably be heard next door