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Fifty years later, 3D still sucks.

Jules Vernes’ classic book Journey to the Center of the Earth is one of the most-adapted tomes in cinema history. A quick look at IMDB.com brings up no less than 11 adaptations, and those are just the ones that use the actual title, nevermind the bazillion others that just lifted the story. There’s a new one out now, and cashing in on the currently-revived 3D “craze” it’s a fairly big-budget affair.

Aimed at the kid-and-tweener crowd, this Journey stars Brendan Fraser in full Mummy-mode. Some time back, his brother disappeared while trying to prove there was something inside the earth, and now Trevor (Fraser) has nightmares of his brother trapped in a prehistoric fantasy world. Along with his brother’s son and a tour guide/love interest, Trevor discovers his brother’s theories were correct. And after that it’s mostly the three of them being chased by dinosaurs.

There’s really nothing new here. At best, it’s serviceable family entertainment, and at worst, it’s repetitive. The special effects never look convincing, partly – I suppose – due to their insistence on making the film in 3D. Fraser is okay in the lead role, but the kid is annoying and you half wish Trevor would throw him to the T-Rex.

The DVD contains both the 3D version (which only barely works), and the 2D version. Special features include a mediocre commentary with Fraser and director Eric Brevig, a profile of Josh Hutcherson (the annoying kid), an interactive game and a look at the special effects being created. The most interesting bonus is “A World within Our World,” a documentary chronicling numerous “hollow earth” theories. It’s fascinating stuff, and all too short.

Journey to the Center of the Earth is average kids/family fare, but nothing more. It’s the type of film kids will sit around and watch once and move on to something else.

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