Reviewed by Nancy Snipper
Jules Verne, Robert Louis Stevenson and Jonathon Swift really did write the truth – according to the driving force behind this fantasy film. Sean, an inquisitive, aloof teenager intent on finding the location of this mysterious island where his grandfather has gone missing for two years, embarks on a quest to get there. He has received a cryptic code that Hank, his step dad can read. This code and the puzzle map pieced together from three pages of each of these authors’ books guides them to the island. Hank really saves the day: thank goodness he insisted on accompanying his rebellious charge. They meet up with a rickety helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzman), who adds humorous relief to the entire adventure. His daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) also joins them. Fire-eating reptiles, giant spiders, cocky attack birds, and benevolent giant size bees are all part of the adventure. They do find the grandfather shortly into the movie and the wondrous land of castle-like buildings. But they are destined to sink into the ocean dragging down this now-bonded band of explorers with them. The volcano of gold is about to explode and cause an enormous ‘island-quake’. Of course, they make it off the island just in time to travel back home via a dowager submarine. Sean gets the girl; son and step-dad are closer than ever, and we are glad that this movie has ended. The special effects lacked punch as did the plot. Dwayne Johnson who played Hank is one handsome hunk, so he was worth all the gold that volcano was spewing in the movie. Michael Cane was his usual adorable self, (now looking very much like the grandfather he played), and Josh Hutcherson (Hunger Games fame) did a credible job. Director, Brad Peyton didn’t surpass the 2008, 3D version of Journey to the Center of the Earth; that one was a hit; this one - a miss.
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