Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

2012 • 94 minutes
4.2
2.49K reviews
45%
Tomatometer
PG
Rating
Eligible
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About this movie

In this follow-up to the 2008 worldwide hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth," the new family adventure "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" begins when 17-year-old Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson, reprising his role from the first film) receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist. It's a place of stunning beauty, strange life forms, mountains of gold, deadly volcanoes, and more than one astonishing secret. Unable to stop him from tracking the signal to its source, Sean's new stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), joins the quest that will take them first to the South Pacific, and then to a place few people have ever seen. Together with a helicopter pilot (Luiz Guzman) and his beautiful, strong-willed daughter (Vanessa Hudgens), they set out to find the island, rescue its lone inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island under the sea and bury its treasures forever. MPAA Rating: PG for some adventure, and mild language. © 2011 New Line Productions, Inc.
Rating
PG

Ratings and reviews

4.2
2.49K reviews
Kyle Vansteelandt
May 26, 2021
Four years after that delightfully rip-roaring trek inside the earth with the hilarious genius "Brendan Fraser" (one of my favorite films of 2008), Sean (Josh Hutcherson) has a stepfather named Hank (Dwayne Johnson). Sean's relationship with Hank is strained, until they found three books about one island called "The Mysterious Island." One of these books was written by Jules Verne again. Just as they found out that the island is real, Sean's grandfather "Alexandre Anderson" (Michael Caine) is on the island, so Sean and Hank go on this journey to save Sean's grandpa and develop a bond. Along the way, they meet a tour guide (Luis Guzman) and his daughter (Vanessa Hudgens). This sequel has recycled the aspects that we have already seen in it's predecessor, the premise that involves "what if", male bonding, and an adventure that feels like a 3D ride. The sequel even feels like it's predecessor; The two main men in a family with uneven relationships, investigating an undiscovered place, meeting new friends, saying the line "ladies and gentlemen, I give you" to introduce the place, they go face to face with killer creatures, the climax focuses on the two main men battling a beast that is the ultimate scourge of there existence, and the whole gang tries to get out alive together. Sure, it does have some new ideas and several different aspects, but yes, this seems like a familiar retread. But wait! there's more: It has a stereotypical romantic sub-plot involving Sean and the tour guide's daughter, a grandfather that is ripping off "Jon Hammond" from "Jurassic Park," and some of the dialogue contains pop culture references (some are acceptable and some are unacceptable). This whole enterprise is heavily uninspired. Let's not forget the unacceptable moments involving the creatures, like something deadly happen to a giant frilled lizard that is just protecting her eggs (how will her babies survive and thrive now?!) and saying that the birds are white throated needletails (actually, they are white-throated bee-eaters and their appearance looks nothing like a needletail). The first installment has high entertainment value that is vigorous, but here, it is lacking and by the way this sequel is decidedly a comedy; there are a few moments that made me chuckle from some of the performances from Dwayne Johnson, one chucklesome moment from Michael Caine, and a few moments where Luis's performances are so stupid they are kind of funny, but unlike this second installment, the first installment is an unintentional comedy that is hilarious and witty. "Journey 2" is ridiculous and dumb. The prime suspect that makes this sequel so stupid is the tour guide; he is an over-the-top idiotic buffoon with a low IQ of intelligence, his cartoony performance is forced and awkward, he is also portrayed as a gay dude who has an affection towards Hank. Brad Peyton is the director and his direction is hardly anything special; There are a few impressive set-pieces that are quite clever and garners some imagination like the action scenes , but the simple action scenes from the first film are thrilling and frantic. The high excitement for the simple action here is nonexistent. The quality of the screenplay is a bit higher because of the impressive close-ups for the eyes of the lizard and the eel, and there is only one simplistic use of slow-motion that is impressive, but the craftsmanship as a whole from the filmmakers is weak, simplistic, and I knew where the ending is headed. As for the redeemable qualities, visually, the movie is gorgeous with bright vivid colors. The visual effects and special effects are superb. The lush adventurous score by Andrew Lockington strongly supports the narrative. There is some character background at times. Dwayne can be serious in every situation and his performance is excellent. He was also great with his version of "what a wonderful world." In conclusion: This sequel is so ridiculous, so derivative, and so weak, it will never be considered to be an example of family entertainment. Skip it.
48 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
September 12, 2012
No joke. It was free on a plane and I thought, hey that's Peeta from Hunger Games, so I'll watch this. Big mistake. The plot jumps all over and it is a plot used on repeat in movies a bad one! The characters are so 1 dimensional and the whole thing is filled with holes. If you find a mysterious island of insane creatures you don't just go "yeah, that's cool". The worst part is the writing- the dialog is insulting to the English language. If this is what kids are offered we are in for a generation of totally morons. I stopped watching once The Rock made his muscles dance. I think air sickness was not why I wanted to puke. Save your time and money by watching paint dry.
114 people found this review helpful
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Israel Hernandez
January 3, 2015
This would probably (if not better) be a cartoon show where every episode they have very little recollection of the previous episode, like any other. The first journey was decent and this one, well, I wish I could unwatch this. It has no intention to grab viewers, it's a dull film plain and simple. I highly advise you to pick another movie.
5 people found this review helpful
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