Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Released 3rd February 2012, Journey 2 The Mysterious Island follows Sean Anderson, with step-father Hank Parsons, as he travels to the Mysterious Island cited in Jules Verne’s tale. Following Journey to the Centre of the Earth, my expectations were significantly low; an expectation which was pleasantly subverted. Everything is improved in this film; the writing, VFX and the acting. This film follows its predecessor quite naturally whilst also working as a great standalone story; we are reminded of Sean’s father and his absence as well as throwaway details linking back to his previous adventure. Whereas the previous film failed to elicit genuine emotion from the audience to Sean’s familial rifts, this film decides to centre its emotion onto Sean’s relationship with Hank.

Josh Hutcherson does well in his return to Sean Anderson; he gives the character believable alterations corresponding with his age in comparison to Journey to the Centre of the Earth. Dwayne Johnson plays off of Hutcherson well with his brand of charm and humour with what is also a pleasant performance. Michael Caine is fantastic as ever in the role of Alexander Anderson, Sean’s grandfather. He is able to provide another layer to Sean’s familial links and aspirations whilst also being, himself, a sympathetic character. Vanessa Hudgens is good as Kailani; albeit little more than love-interest bait for Sean. We also get Luiz Guzmán as Gabato who portrays Kailani’s bumbling father / comic relief. Whilst his character is more reminiscent of the first film’s characterisation, he has a great synergy with all of the cast and also a really wholesome aura of sincerity which makes the audience attach to him nicely.

Coming off the back of its predecessor, I was really nervous about any use of VFX and, whilst there was some noticeable green screen, it really kicked up a notch from the animal animations to the environments and even the green screening didn’t suck you out of the experience. Props also go to Andrew Lockington for taking his soundtrack from Journey to the Centre of the Earth and making it soar in every scene here; the main motif is especially better this time, continuing the sense of adventure and joy. Overall, this film manages to take a failed cinematic IP and craft it into an enjoyable film with heart and light themes.