Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
1.5/4
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens
Rated PG for Some Adventure Action and Brief Mild Language
"Journey 2" should be a lot more fun than it is. It's got lots of action, wall-to-wall special effects, and the adventure of discovering a new paradise. But the bottom line is that this movie couldn't be more bland if it tried. I haven't seen the first film, but if this sequel is anything to go by, I should be glad.
Sean (Hutcherson) is a rebellious teen who has been forced to move because his mom remarried (I think...the movie doesn't explain this very well). He's not getting along with his stepdad Hank (Johnson), but they have a bonding moment when he gets a coded message from his grandfather (Michael Caine) that points to clues to a mysterious island that is suggested in the book by Jules Verne (who is undoubtedly turning over in his grave at being mentioned in this stinker). So they set out to find the island.
This movie is plagued with contrivances. Not that action movies are known for being particularly intelligent, but the contrivances are so frequent and so obvious that even the most inattentive viewer could find them. Like, what are the chances that a step-dad is going to fly with his kid, in his words "halfway around the world" (it's more like a trip to Cancun), to prove some menial thing, while the kid is grounded for breaking into a satellite facility and being chased by police? Or, what cop is going to let a kid slide after said police chase? And then there's an absurd bit featuring maps.
The acting is flat. Ex-WWE star Dwayne Johnson (who dumped his WWE name--presumably to be regarded as an actor rather than a faux-sports star) may never be a good actor, but he's pretty bad. His "funny scenes," such as the "pec popping" are more awkward than humorous. Michael Caine is clearly just picking up a paycheck, but he's too talented to give a bad performance. Disney tween-queen Vanessa Hudgens is flat. Luis Guzman is awful here. He's often hilarious, but he's given such bad material that it defeats him. Josh Hutcherson, who is a reasonably good actor, is the only one who actually attempts to act, and as such, is the only one who gives a performance worth mentioning.
The problem is easy to identify. Director Brad Peyton rushes through the movie so fast that there's no way anyone could possibly care about anyone. The script is paper thin, so it's likely a desperate attempt to camouflage the weaknesses in the writing. It doesn't work. In fact, it backfires; the lack of attachment with the characters or the story makes one seek out the mistakes.
I won't say that this movie is boring. I'll just say that it's a misfire on every level.
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens
Rated PG for Some Adventure Action and Brief Mild Language
"Journey 2" should be a lot more fun than it is. It's got lots of action, wall-to-wall special effects, and the adventure of discovering a new paradise. But the bottom line is that this movie couldn't be more bland if it tried. I haven't seen the first film, but if this sequel is anything to go by, I should be glad.
Sean (Hutcherson) is a rebellious teen who has been forced to move because his mom remarried (I think...the movie doesn't explain this very well). He's not getting along with his stepdad Hank (Johnson), but they have a bonding moment when he gets a coded message from his grandfather (Michael Caine) that points to clues to a mysterious island that is suggested in the book by Jules Verne (who is undoubtedly turning over in his grave at being mentioned in this stinker). So they set out to find the island.
This movie is plagued with contrivances. Not that action movies are known for being particularly intelligent, but the contrivances are so frequent and so obvious that even the most inattentive viewer could find them. Like, what are the chances that a step-dad is going to fly with his kid, in his words "halfway around the world" (it's more like a trip to Cancun), to prove some menial thing, while the kid is grounded for breaking into a satellite facility and being chased by police? Or, what cop is going to let a kid slide after said police chase? And then there's an absurd bit featuring maps.
The acting is flat. Ex-WWE star Dwayne Johnson (who dumped his WWE name--presumably to be regarded as an actor rather than a faux-sports star) may never be a good actor, but he's pretty bad. His "funny scenes," such as the "pec popping" are more awkward than humorous. Michael Caine is clearly just picking up a paycheck, but he's too talented to give a bad performance. Disney tween-queen Vanessa Hudgens is flat. Luis Guzman is awful here. He's often hilarious, but he's given such bad material that it defeats him. Josh Hutcherson, who is a reasonably good actor, is the only one who actually attempts to act, and as such, is the only one who gives a performance worth mentioning.
The problem is easy to identify. Director Brad Peyton rushes through the movie so fast that there's no way anyone could possibly care about anyone. The script is paper thin, so it's likely a desperate attempt to camouflage the weaknesses in the writing. It doesn't work. In fact, it backfires; the lack of attachment with the characters or the story makes one seek out the mistakes.
I won't say that this movie is boring. I'll just say that it's a misfire on every level.
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