It’s happening. Across the Web, early reviews for next weekend’s Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D are moderately apologetic and yet thoroughly positive, with a fair number of comparisons to the “Spielbergian wonder of old” popping up in support. Like seductive ooze, it seems that Hollywood’s first live-action tent-pole in the forthcoming theatrical 3D boom (boon?), will win over moviegoers with great 3D special effects, an epic wonderland scope and, to quote Variety, the “highest screams-per-capita ratio in the history of action-adventure pics.” Lalala. In other words, it’s only a movie-as-theme park ride, but they like it…well, save for the scene where star Brendan Fraser spits into a sink in 3D. And there’s also a requisite 3D yo-yo scene to rival the one in Friday the 13th Part 3(D). Where’s a hologram of Pauline Kael when we need it?
Based on the marketing, he expected to hate the film, but Cinematical’s Christopher Campbell informs that it’s an “astonishing 3D experience” and admits twice in his review that he “reverted back to my 8-year-old self”…
“Basically, throughout the movie there are three kinds of effects shots, which I labeled as silly, neat or wow! As you might guess, most of the time the shots fall within the “neat” range. But those considered ‘wow!’ are really ‘wow!’ They more than make up for those I label ’silly.’ …With Journey, I was immersed almost entirely, only conscious of my real surroundings when the audience jumped, gasped and/or laughed at (with) the pop-out 3-D effects.”
He compares the film sans “wow” but favorably to The Goonies and Raiders, but says that, in the end, Journey’s flimsy storyline can’t compete. Surveying the early reactions online, perhaps the film’s TV spots should feature excited testimonials from kids outfitted in mysteriously over-sized and mundane clothing. Over at CinemaBlend, Katey Rich gives the film 4 1/2 stars, saying…
“Experiencing it all in glorious 3D ups the ante—it’ll be a brave 8-year-old who never finds his palms sweating. …Journey 3D is predictable, cheesy and not even a little edgy, but it’s also as much fun as you’re likely to have in a PG movie this summer.”
Palm sweat! Take that Speed Racer, Kung Fu Panda, Meet Dave and Midnight Meat Train. Spoiler alert: Rich says that a “T. rex, for whatever reason, lives happily in the earth’s molten core.” And with that, we’ll circle back around with a closing endorsement from Variety’s John Anderson, who feels that Journey’s cocktail of humor, an ever-entertaining Fraser, and “thrills a minute” would be just as successful in 2D.
“…fortunately [the film has] thesp Brendan Fraser—whose mission in Hollywood seems to be to humanize the most f/x-besotted adventure. Boisterous action, 3-D visuals and equal doses of humor and chills should rocket the deep-dwelling tale into strong B.O. orbit.”
For many months, Journey 3D was anticipated by skeptics (like ourselves, but less carefree) to be surefire evidence that Hollywood will utilize its new 3D tech to shovel empty spectacle into theaters for years to come. Similar to Paramount’s roll-out with Beowulf (which was awesome), New Line will release Journey in both 3D (approx. 1,000 screens) and 2D (lawd, the children). Several reports peg Journey’s budget as far, far less than Beowulf’s $150 million, but its box office performance will be a more definitive sign of whether 3D is the future of cinema—especially family-oriented stuff—or simply an increasingly alarming option for stoned college kids at midnight. Either way, Brendan Fraser has The Mummy 7.
Discuss: Will you check out Journey 3D and how do you think it will perform this summer? What do you think of the early reviews?
July 6th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
When i first heard about this might be good, but then looking a the trailer and TV Spots it just look like a excuse to make a 3-D movie with a solid film.
I will pass and wait for The Dark Knight.
July 6th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
You’ll pass on a movie that is of a completely different genre and demographic-aim, in order to wait for The Dark Knight?
July 6th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Yeah I am not interested in this film at all and I think people will see it and then will be droped when The Dark Knight is released. becuase will just see it
July 6th, 2008 at 12:49 pm
Wait, wait. hold on. I thought we were not quoting Variety anymore?
July 6th, 2008 at 1:27 pm
It kind of weirds me out, because it’s not even a remake of the original. (or the other remakes.) Which I really liked. Its not the same kind of adventure.
Although, I’m just being kinda bias and it’ll probably be a decent movie in its own right.
July 6th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
If a film is good, it deserves good reviews. But I won’t be seeing it because its not my type of film.
July 6th, 2008 at 2:50 pm
why the hell are people getting TDK into this, i mean what you people are pretty much saying is that every other movie except for TDK is gonna suck ass.
sure this movie doesn’t have Heath Ledger in make-up or Christian Bale in a Bat-Suit but that doesn’t mean it’s gonna suck. you people should really be more open minded and not just assume that a movie is gonna suck just cause it doesn’t have a crazy clown or a guy dressed as a bat in it.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I wonder if 3D takes off when there going to use it as a true medium and stop using it to make half-ass stories look more interesting.
Until then (IMO) 3D is nothing more than a gimmick…..
I like Brendon but I have better things to do than see this.
July 6th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
ill check it out you know why???
cause im a slave to the cinema
and i go to the movie no matter what
some people waste money on smoking i watch films
July 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
This all begs the question… why the fuck was Speed Racer not in 3D? It seemed a no brainer for that material.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
I saw this a couple of weeks ago, and it is great fun–if you’re, like, 10. The plot is just too flimsy, and there are way too many uses of the 3D effects for the sake of said 3D effects. It isn’t bad, but it also isn’t thrilling. What it is is decidedly PG.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:21 pm
No thanks.
July 6th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
I refuse to support yet another bastardization of a Jules Verne novel. No. No. I simply will not.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
The Dark Knight and Hellboy II.
Sorry, just thought out loud.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:17 pm
They should have kept it solely in 3-D; not only would that preserve the original vision of the creators, but I WOULDN’T HAVE TO HEAR BRENDAN FRASER SCREAM ONCE EVERY 45 SECONDS FOR 6 HOURS AT WORK.
July 6th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
you and Pete need to quite downing beer-skeez and eating bbq and start making new posts again. This place is as empty and lifeless as a Brendan Fraser fan club meeting.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:08 pm
I might go check this out, but it’s just a gimmick.
Right now, as long as I get to see The Dark Knight, I’ll be set.
July 6th, 2008 at 7:30 pm
I actually do want to see this movie, but I want to see it in 3-D. I don’t know if it will be worth it, but it looks like it’ll be visually pleasing at the least.
July 6th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
There is no way that I will ever see this. It looks like utter garbage.
July 7th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
I will go and see it, why not, it sounds like it might be fun.
July 8th, 2008 at 8:41 am
More worth seeing than Hancock.