Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

Directed by: Brad Peyton | 94 minutes | action, adventure, family, fantasy, science fiction | Actors: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Caine, Luis Guzman, Kristin Davis, Anna Colwell, Michael Beasley

In 2008, the world first became acquainted with young adventurer Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson). In the movie ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth’, Sean went on an expedition to Iceland with his uncle Trevor (Brendan Fraser) to find out where the strange volcanic activity in the region came from. In addition, the two hoped their journey would shed light on the fate of Sean’s missing father, who was investigating the same thing before he went missing. The result was an adventurous journey of discovery that led the two, together with their local guide, to the heart of the earth. Almost four years later we get the sequel to this adventure film with ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’.

Those who missed the first part can breathe a sigh of relief, no prior knowledge is required to easily follow this part. Except for Josh Hutcherson, the entire cast has been replaced. In the second part, Sean sets out with his godfather Hank (Dwayne Johnson), this time in search of an island somewhere in the ocean, where Sean’s missing grandfather is said to be on a voyage of discovery. Once they arrive, they meet Gabato (Luis Guzmán) and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), who are the only ones who have the courage – for a hefty fee – to take the two with them in their helicopter, in search of the island from the title. When they crash due to the storm, they appear to have discovered the island by accident and the real adventure can begin.

In fact, this second part is not much more than the first part, but in a different setting. The mostly dark, rugged caves of Iceland have this time been replaced by a fresher-looking and much more colorful island. In that respect, this setting fits better with an adventure film like this one. Unfortunately, the story itself, as in the previous part, is again very little. Indeed, after a short exploration of the island, the company almost immediately meets Alexander, Sean’s grandfather (played by the now old hand Michael Caine). It is soon discovered that the island is in danger of being flooded. The rest of the film is nothing more than a race against time to get away from the sinking island.

Although the cast has been replaced almost completely, as mentioned, this unfortunately does not provide much improvement. Michael Caine is the only good addition, as the old and wise explorer who has experienced it all. However, his role is fairly limited and the focus is for the most part on the other four, fairly interchangeable, characters. The only one of this couple who knows how to distinguish himself is Luis Guzmán, but unfortunately he does this in a negative way. Because his character Gabado is very annoyingly present throughout the film. He tries to turn every sentence into something funny, something he rarely succeeds in. Even though the film mainly focuses on younger children, it is questionable whether they can appreciate Gabado’s humor.

Yet it is not all bad what ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ shows the viewer and especially the young viewers will enjoy themselves with action scenes such as a wild chase on a large bee. Also the part where Hank explains to Sean how to pick up a woman and show his ‘love muscles’ is absolutely entertaining. Graphically it is certainly not bad what the film presents you, although the quality is all a bit too variable. For example, exceptionally beautiful colorful landscapes are interspersed with, for example, a very fake-looking volcano in the background. The 3D effects are also of a varying level. There are certainly nice moments in it, when an insect suddenly seems to come very close or a spear that almost flies into your eye, but unfortunately it is still, like in so many movies, nothing more than a gimmick and adds little, like the whole movie doesn’t really add too much. The makers of it try to do the same trick as in the first part, but since the trick didn’t work very well the first time, the result is now very poor.