Movie Review: Journey to the Center of the Earth (2003)
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What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that this adaptation of Jules Verne's
book is mostly clean fun, but the crew does face what appears
to be certain death. The killing of some prehistoric animals
may frighten young children.
Families who watch this video may want to use it to launch a creative discussion. If you weren't tethered to what science tells us actually is under the earth, what do you imagine is there? What fanciful animals? What kind of society would you create?
Common Sense Media Review
After a lava rock reveals a secret message, the recently
knighted Professor Lindenbrook (James Mason) and his favorite
student Alec (Pat Boone) are off to a volcano that supposedly
leads to the center of the earth. Much to Lindenbrook's
chagrin, he is forced to take along the widow of a recently
deceased rival scientist, since she owns some valuable
equipment.
The journey takes several months and the group is nearly killed when attacked by a descendant of an Icelandic scientist, the source of the original communication. Eventually, hundreds of miles below the earth's surface, the group discovers beasts long thought extinct, as well as the lost city of Atlantis. Later, they are magically lifted to the surface by a lava burst and the professor and the widow conclude some unfinished business.
A bit hokey to be sure, but this action/adventure movie has a rip-roaring premise taken from the classic novel by Jules Verne. It has charming characters, especially the overbearing professor who is proven wrong on a regular basis. The movie also boasts diverting action sequences, and a grand, old-fashioned score.
One 13-year-old girl enjoyed the movie, with caveats. She enjoyed the imaginative story, especially the delightful surprises that Jules Verne throws the viewer's way. She also liked the scenery inside the volcano, which was shot on location at Carlsbad Caverns National Park. The sometimes-clunky special effects and Pat Boone's smarmy singing impressed her less.
The world of late 19th-century Scotland is gloriously realized but the movie's depiction of Iceland -- obviously not shot on location -- is more dubiously represented and a great deal stranger (check out the hats!).
And it's interesting to note that Steven Spielberg's Raiders of the Lost Ark pays homage to several action sequences in this movie, most notably the rolling rock in the cavern. One can certainly look to any one of Spielberg's Indiana Jones movies for an updated take on the adventure story. For more Jules Verne, check out 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea , another science fiction adventure, with more thrills and more excitement. Looking for another imaginative adventure movie? Try Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow.
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