Movie Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth

Journey to the Center of the Earth also known as Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D is best seen in the second version listed….although the 1D version would be entertaining enough in its own right. If you decide to see the 3D version, be careful, as some theaters don’t make it clear which version you are buying your ticket for. If they hand you 3D glasses you are probably headed for the right theater. This version is based very loosely on the Jules Verne novel with a lot of the 1959 film version on hand, as well as a couple of scenes stolen from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Jurassic Park.

Although there are several roles in Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D only 3 are important. Brendan Fraser as the Professor trying to find his brother accompanied by Josh Hutcherson as his nephew and Anita Briem as the Icelandic mountain guide.

Other important elements include the computer generated effects, the 3D gimmicks and Canadian composer Andrew Lockington’s marvelous and fully realized symphonic score.

In comparison, the 1959 film had 4 characters (James Mason, Arlene Dahl, Pat Boone and 6’4” Peter Ronson) of importance, if you don’t include Thayer David (as the bad guy) and Hans the Icelander’s pet duck Gertrude (1958-1964 mother of Fritz, Mabel and Brunhilde. Cousin to Daffy).

Back to the new version. Anita Briem takes over the Hans role although she is not 6’4” and doesn’t have a duck. After the set up scenes, which take the first 25 minutes, the film becomes a 65 minute thrill ride as the 3 adventurers go down into the Icelandic volcano. And quite a thrill ride it is. No heavy plot. In fact no plot at all. They make it to the Center of the Earth primarily by falling long distances. In the original they had to walk.

No bad guys to take up time, just one adventure after another until the big one, which gets the heroes back to the surface of the earth. Those who have seen the 1959 version will recognize most of the elements lifted right out of that film which are based on illustrations from the original novel.

Those who have not seen the 1959 version should check it out on DVD. It has a majestic Bernard Herrmann score done without any stringed instruments. It also has Pat Boone singing in an acting role he didn’t want, but will be the one he’s best remembered for. It also has Gertrude the Duck in her only role. Peter Ronson (born Petur Rognvaldsson 1934) who plays the big non-English speaking Icelander made this his only film. He died in Orange County CA in 2007, having represented Iceland in the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics as a 110M hurdler and leaving behind several sons practicing medicine.

Both versions of this story are great fun and full of adventure and hokey unbelievable situations. Be sure to avoid the numerous made for TV versions. They all should be left under the big pile of rock with Thayer David, which was his bad guy punishment for eating Gertrude.

Take the plunge. Check out the 1959 version on DVD (it also often turns up on Turner Classic Movies and the Fox Movie Channel) and then take in Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D. Or, vice versa. Put your 3D glasses on and get ready to duck. Which is what Gertrude should have done.

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D rated 3 out of 4 D’s. 1959 version rated 3 out of 4 also but no glasses necessary. Run, Gertrude, Run.