4/5 3D Technology
  by Yeah Right!
For those that are complaining about the colored filter glasses (anaglyph), there seems to be some ignorance as to how the 3D technology in the theaters works. The 3D process used in the theaters requires polarized light projectors and is not something you can do with your tv. There is a better process however than anaglyph, and that is called field-sequential and requires a special box and glasses for about $40. Spy Kids, Shark Boy and Lava Girl, and some IMAX films were made available in that format. There are also many others available online non-commercially, including this film. They should have considered that option as it is much better than anaglyph. A major consideration, however, is that field-sequential videos only work with CRT televisions and some DLP projectors, not LCD tvs. Colored filters are currently more practical, but using green/magenta instead of red/blue was probably a mistake since many people seem to be bothered by the color distortions. BTW, if the dvd comes with glasses in the case, it will be anaglyph, or worse. Also, the use of polarized glasses is not new, it has existed since the 1930's and the majority of 3D films from the 1950's and onward were polarized, not red/blue as many people believe. There is some good news. Major studios, including Disney, are now working on creating a standardized form of 3D for the home. Content will be released on Blu-ray and DVD, possibly web streaming and broadcast TV, and will be viewable in 3D on the new 3D-ready Samsung and Mitsubishi tvs which have been out since 2007. On 2D sets the images will appear normal. These tvs can also be used for 3d gaming when connected to a PC. They require LCD shutter glasses that are the same as those used for field-sequential videos, but without flickering.
The Ultimate 3-D Collection (Haunted Castle / Alien Adventure / Encounter in the Third Dimension) (Large Format) (Includes H3D Viewing System)
Samsung HL61A750 61-Inch 1080p LED Powered DLP HDTV

4/5 In deep shist
  by Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana)
Trevor: Hey, look at all the shist.
Sean: What?
Trevor: It's a metamorphic rock. Green shist, white shist, micro-guarded shist-
Sean: Oh. Shist.

This adaptation of the Jules Verne classic novel features Trevor, a goofy volcanologist (Brendan Fraser), his nephew Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and Hannah, a canny Icelandic tour guide (Anita Briem).

While on a hastily arranged expedition to Iceland to retrieve data from a previously dormant volcanic sensor gadget, the trio emulates Alice by falling down a hole. Curiouser and curiouser, they end up not in Wonderland, but in a lost world, where long-extinct phosphorescent birds flutter by and the flying fish have a serious case of overbite.

Using the storyline of a missing brother and misunderstood Vernian volcanologists, the little group wanders around the treacherous terrain, overcoming insurmountable odds and horrible hardship (Eat your Trilobite, Sean) before reaching the grandly preposterous finale.


Short Attention Span Summary (SASS):

1. Three down the shist hole
2. Things start heating up
3. Underground ocean crossing brings separation anxiety
4. Tyrannosaurus wrecks
5. Geyser erupts with "flare"
6. Strong hint of "to be continued"

A little Goonies, a little Indiana Jones and a lot of tongue-in-cheek adventure, this movie is great as far as light entertainment goes, and can be viewed by the whole family.

[Warning: Beware of lame lines and ridiculous situations.]




Amanda Richards, September 29, 2008


3/5 "Journey" is entertaining but rather shallow.
  by Steven Hedge (Somewhere "East of Eden")
It's important to note straight off that this IS NOT a remake or a retelling of Verne's classic novel in any way. This story is surprisingly original.

The storyline, in brief, is about a college professor, played by Brendon Fraser (The Mummy and George of the Jungle) with his usual boyish charm who lost his brother 10 years ago when he went off to prove that Verne's novel wasn't really fiction. Now, out of a sense of guilt or obligation he takes in his brother's son each summer, well played by Josh Hutcherson (Zathura, RV, and Bridge to Terabithia. Hutcherson is in danger of being typecast as the bitter, rebellious teenager with a secret heart of gold. His acting is good, but he's been essentially playing the same role over and over again.

Well, the pair get it in their heads to try and track down the possible entry to the center of the earth and end up in Iceland trying to track down another professor who may be of help, but discover he died awhile back. They are instead greeted by his lovely looking, but rather cold exterior daughter, nicely played by relative newcomer Anita Briem, who agrees to be a mountain guide for them in what she considers to be a fool's errand.

The rest of the film is the trip to the center of the earth which only seems to take them a few minutes to get to and includes a shamelessly copied scene on mine carts from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom as well as a T-rex scene lifted from Jurassic Park. I wasn't sure if they were paying some kind of homage to these films (or genre), or if they were literally just copying the scenes thinking the 3D effects would make them better somehow. Other than that the film moves along at a fun and rapid pace with several predictable, but touching moments.

The Hits:

(1) The 3D effects are the advanced type (not the blue and red glasses) that doesn't leave you with a headache afterwards. The entire film is designed with 3D in mind and while a gimmick, it is effective and fun.

(2) The special effects themselves are magnificent and would hold up nicely even in 2D. The most beautiful effect is the beach scene. It was absolutely stunning!

(3) The performances were all much better than this gimmicky action genre would normally dictate. They know it's all nonsense, but they make themselves into rather believable characters that we care about.


The Misses:

(1) Although the plot is fast-paced, it is rather silly and even ludicrous much of the time, but again, we know this going into the film.

(2) There is some really awful cliché-ridden dialogue. It's a bit of a miracle that these actors were able to deliver them without bursting into laughter and that is to their credit.

(3) In spite of the overall nice entertainment factor of this film with all it's clever special effects, decent acting, and fast-paced feel, it is a rather shallow film that is hard to recall even right after seeing it.


The problem with all gimmicky films, whether they are 3D or using camcorders to tell the story, the focus is primarily on the gimmick and little else. So much time, energy and money goes into the gimmick that the other aspects of storytelling fall to the wayside. This film does a bit better job at trying to be more entertaining and cohesive than other gimmick-driven films, but it is still rather shallow when all is said and done. I doubt very much I would have enjoyed this film much at all if not for the 3D effects and that says a lot all by itself.

4/5 Very fun movie (and future theme park, I'm sure) ride!
  by G. E. Williams (California)
This week my wife and I went to see "Hancock", "Indiana Jones and the kingdom of the crystal skull", and "Journey to the Center of the Earth". For our part, the best of these was "Journey of the Center of the Earth". The story was a fun take off of the Jules Verne classic, by not trying to tell it as a period piece, and for my money, Brenden Fraser continues to be great as an action star.

Here's the funny thing though, the theater was out of the 3D Glasses so we watched it without the special 3D effects and still thought that it was a way fun ride! So much so, that we went back and watched it again with the 3D glasses so we could get the whole fun. Without the 3D we thought it was a 4star movie but with the 3D it was way a 5Star movie! It was so much fun even without the 3D gags, I wonder why they dont just make all films like this, as the "RealD" 3D is amazing and completely supeior to the old blue & red 3D we are used to.

So here's the deal,
"Journey to the Center of the Earth" is great family film kind of fun!

**** Without 3D
***** With 3D


2/5 Disappointing technology
  by ladyjanegray
Two disappointments:

1) The theater version of 3D was very sophisticated and believable. The version here uses colored glasses, which casts unreal tints and effects that barely work. It simply isn't enjoyable in 3D.
2) The disc contains a 'download a digital copy'. You go to the site and find you have to pay $1.99 (OK, so that's not a lot, but still...) AND you must use Windows Media Player. Come on.

So -- the gimmicks pretty much are worthless, and you really only get the 2D. On the plus side, I liked the film.