“Journey 2: The Mysterious Island” is a stupid blockbuster movie in the best sense of the phrase, just like its predecessor, 2008’s “Journey to the Center of the Earth.”
Whereas a lot of big-ticket movies are aggressively stupid, “Journey 2” is comfortable being what it is. Many points in the movie could be easily picked apart by critics, and they will be, but I feel bad for those critics, because they missed a heckuva ride. Pointing out logic problems in “Journey 2” is like complaining that a rollercoaster ride is lacking in thematic content.
I would argue that the filmmakers — including writers Brad and Mark Gunn, director Brad Peyton and cinematographer David Tattersall (who, incidentally, was the director of photography for “Star Wars: Episode I — The Phantom Menace,” also in 3D this week) — are completely aware of every bit of silliness and corner-cutting in their movie, because they do so many things smartly.
The premise is the same as the first movie in that classic fantasy literature (primarily Jules Verne’s 1874 novel “The Mysterious Island,” but a couple others are peppered in, too) is recast as guidebooks to a real-world adventures. But the casting is even better this time around. Sean (Josh Hutcherson) is the only returning character from the first film, and although Hutcherson is fine in the role, he’s also the least memorable character. Dwayne Johnson, as Sean’s stepdad Hank, and Luis Guzman, as Gabato, the helicopter pilot who takes the group to the South Pacific island, are effortlessly likable in their stereotypical roles.
Johnson is saddled with the part of the stepdad who wants to prove himself to his misfit stepson, but the wrestler-turned-actor doesn’t treat it as a chore; he has fun with all the clichés. Likewise, Guzman doesn’t try too hard to be the comic relief; he lets the lines flow naturally. When being attacked by a giant lizard, Gabato’s daughter Kailana (Vanessa Hudgens, all grown up from “High School Musical”) comments “I hope it doesn’t like Polynesian food.” And Gabato adds “I hope it doesn’t like food with poop in its pants.”
While there might be slightly more originality and imagination in Verne’s work (although no more hard science; let’s be honest), “Journey 2” is the book’s equal when it comes to a sense of wonder. It achieves this visually rather than with words (and, by the way, see this movie in 3D if at all possible). The foursome comes across an elephant the size of a puppy, then the aforementioned iguana the size of an elephant. Later, they ride around on bees in a sequence reminiscent of the flying-creature ride from “Avatar.” I had a smile on my face throughout.
Also rote but enjoyable is the quippy scientific rivalry between Hank and Sean’s grandfather (Michael Caine), and the budding romance between Sean and Kailani. There’s no sense of surprise with these arcs, just like there’s no real tension amidst any of the adventure. Nor is there any scientific logic (Need to jump-start your ancient submarine? An electric eel should do the trick). And none of this matters one lick, because it’s cute, spirited fun. It’s also refreshingly brief, clocking in at one hour and 44 minutes.
Look, I’m not saying “Journey 2” is as good as “Avatar.” It’s certainly not as ambitious; the filmmakers would probably admit as much. But you know how that movie gets bogged down a bit by plot and pseudo-heavy themes? There’s none of that here. “Journey 2” is an efficiently crafted, dare-you-not-to-smile adventure. Count me in again for Part 3.