 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
- Review Date: February 10, 2012
- PG
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- 2012
Common Sense Media says
Adventure sequel is clunky but has positive role models.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is the sequel to 2008's entertaining Journey to the Center of the Earth. The Hunger Games' Josh Hutcherson is the sole returning cast member, but the tone is very similar to the original. Overall, it's a family-friendly adventure -- albeit one with frequent tense chases, monster attacks, and a somewhat scary helicopter crash (some of which is a bit more intense in the movie's 3-D version). There's also flirting and a kiss between the two main teen characters, and co-star Vanessa Hudgens is often shown wearing a tight, cleavage-enhancing tank top. Expect some gross-out humor, as well as potty talk and very sporadic mild language ("ass," "hell," etc.). This is no cinematic classic, but it is bright and cheerful and has positive characters, including fatherly role models.
What's the story?
After surviving his Journey to the Center of the Earth, Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) is back living with his mom (Kristin Davis) and step-dad, Hank (Dwayne Johnson). Sean gets a coded message from his grandfather about the location of Jules Verne's famed "Mysterious Island." Hoping for some much-needed bonding time, Hank volunteers to go with him. In Palau, they hire a ramshackle helicopter, piloted by Gabato (Luis Guzman). Happily for Sean, Gabato's pretty daughter, Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), comes with the deal. After crashing on the island, the explorers discover a world of tiny elephants, huge bees, and lost cities. But they also realize that they must find Sean's grandfather -- and discover a way off the island before time runs out.
Is it any good?
From the director of Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore, JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND is as clumsy and clunky as its title. The pace is speedy, but it seems as though the movie sacrificed logic, character, mood, and rhythm to achieve that speed. Moreover, the visual effects appear soft and never quite mesh with the real stuff. Even the 3D effects don't really add anything except for the occasional "comin' at ya" moment.
On the plus side, the movie has an inviting, warm, open-air feel, and it's more innocuous than it is obnoxious. Strong, positive characters -- including a young woman who can take care of herself -- and family bonding moments are also very appealing. Not to mention that this is the only movie in which you can see former pro wrestler Dwayne Johnson (a.k.a. "The Rock") playing the ukulele and singing "What a Wonderful World."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about Journey 2's violence and scary stuff. How does its fantasy nature affect its impact? How do the movie's intense experiences affect Sean and his step-dad's relationship?
How does the movie portray families? How does that message/depiction compare to what you've seen in other movies and TV shows?
How does the movie portray fathers? There's a theme of "missing dads," but there are also great dad characters here. What's the take-away?
The first Journey movie was an adaptation of a Jules Verne novel; this movie's title also cites a Verne book but isn't a direct adaptation. What other books does it remind you of? Are there any you'd like to read after watching the movie?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
A few sticking points
I took my 7 year old daughter and 11 year old son as part of a birthday party. There were two things that put me off.... 1) Vanessa Hudgins' shorts were entirely too small (in my opinion), there is no reason her pelvic bones should be showing in a "kids movie" and 2) there was an inappropriate/unnecessary (again, my opinion) camera shot of Vaness Hudgins' derrier, short shorts and all, as she is climbing out of a tunnel. Even though I blushed and giggled like a school girl, Dwayne Johnson's "peck bounce" was a bit much for a kids movie also.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
yjbhnbh
Big Creatures+Big Stars+Awesome adventure= a great movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 12 years old
February 12, 2012
AGE
Two Stars?! Really?!
Journey 2 deserves way more praise than that. In fact, it was better than the original film! The 3D effects were incredible, but maybe scary for young ones. The shots were great, too! One complaint: The story was a bit rushed, but as it unfolds, it won't seem like that any more. One strong point for this movie was how they threw in fast-paced comedy with all the action! How do you do that?! Overall, so far the greatest movie of 2012. REMINDER: The movie is rated PG!
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
February 11, 2012
AGE
Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
This movie was amazing! It was much better than the 1st. The movie taught about Jules Verne's stories. Some comical sci-fi violence was shown, along with some gross out effects. Kailani was shown in slow-mo, and you could obviously see that Sean was attracted to her. Hank also had 'The Peck Pop of Love' which was a way to pick up women. Overall, this was an enjoyable film.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
wow
ok cms was way off on this one it has been the best movies of the year so far i say take your entire family to see this movie trust me you will love it as a valentines treat it is perfect nothing it wrong with this movie exsept for some very mild intinse action and very breif language and some seens may frighten younger kids so be careful with that buth other than that it was a blast
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
The best part was Josh Hutcherson...
There is SOME educational value in that it talks about Jules Verne and other classic authors and their works, and there are some good lessons, but alot of things in the movie were just awkward, cheesy, weird, etc. I kept wishing Vanessa Hudgens would pull her shirt up and down, because it was always purposely scrunched up to reveal way more than was neccessary. Other than a kiss between Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa (which isn't a big issue), that's really the only concern with sexual content I observed that people might have. There is mild bad language. The only product placement I noticed was toward the beginning when Josh pulls a Coca-cola bottle out of the fridge and drinks it, but it's not that noticable; you really have to be paying attention to catch it. Some scenes (such as coming face to face with giant lizards and electric eels) might be a little scary for young kids. Middle school age kids will probably enjoy this most, for high schoolers and above, it's just a really cheesy sequel to the mediocre first Journey movie.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
AWESOMENESS
It was very cool, but it may scare younger viewers.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
on theatre 2012.
on theatre now so i really want to watch it.
but i hate bees.
some frightning scenes for little kids.
Was this review useful?
|
|
AGE
Journey 2:)
I loved it I want to see it again those who havnt seen it need 2:)
Was this review useful?
|
|
Kid, 11 years old
February 17, 2012
AGE
Awesome and epic
This movie is very good written and has funny humor. Its a big adventure,especially if you watch it in 3D. They did a very good job on this movie
Was this review useful?
|
|
| Topics: | magic and fantasy, adventures |
| Studio: | New Line |
| Director: | Brad Peyton |
| Cast: | Dwayne The Rock Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens |
| Genre: | Action/Adventure |
| Run time: | 94 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 10, 2012 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some adventure action, and brief mild language |
Review It
Video review
Great alternatives handpicked by our editors
Already seen it? What do you think?
More from Common Sense Media
Top advice and articles
