John's Movie Musings

Going in to Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D, I had no idea what to expect. It's the first live-action 3D movie, so it could be very important to movie history. Sure, there was Hannah Montana and U2 3D, but those were concerts. There wasn't much of a need for quick cuts and scene changes. In 3D, a bad scene change with a different focus will melt your eyes. True story.

Since it's the first, that means it set the bar for 3D. It also meant that there was a lot of experimenting going on. Expect to see the 3D used in every way possible, from things jumping in your face, to far scenic vistas. Some work better than others, but mostly, they do a good job.

Fortunately, Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D isn't just a tech demo. There's actually a plot. You still want to ignore the 2D version, but for those without a choice, there are certainly worse options at the theater.

Instead of retelling Jules Verne's famous story, the plot centers around the idea that Verne journaled true events, rather than science fiction. It's an interesting take on it and I think it's a better movie for it. It made me accept the ridiculous idea of another world within our own a little easier. Much easier, in fact.

Obviously, the 3D plays an important role in the movie. I'm not sure how well it would have worked in 2D, but the story is good enough, I think. The action never stops, so really there's not much they could have screwed up. If you've never seen a 3D movie before, then this is a must see.

Grade: B