'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' - High-Def Digest Review

[Attebery]

E has just reviewed 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.' He says there is very little sense of adventure or excitement in this sequel. The Blu-ray, however, arrives with reference quality video and very good audio. Give it a rent.

Full review here:
http://bluray.highdefdigest.com/6868/journey2.html

[cooltobeyou]

That's disappointing to read because I really enjoyed the first film.

[Bouncy X]

the footage i've seen and the stills confirm the same problem i had with the first. it all looks so cheap and crappy and you can always tell when the people are on or around green screens (which is often). it kinda reminds me of the cheap CGI and whatnot in all those Syfy tv movies, just with better animation maybe. lol

[Shadow of Death]

I'd still like to see this. I don't expect much from kids movies (low expectations mean the semi-funny moments seem funnier, and when something remotely exciting happens it's actually enjoyable).

That said, I wouldn't want to pay much for it >_> Maybe a Journey1/Journey2 bundle on Blu-ray? My stepdad only has the first one, and it's the double sided DVD edition (the 2D/3D edition). I haven't even gotten around to checking the 3D version >_>

[taygan315]

Blind buy on the 3D version....probably not a day 1.

[mike71]

Not interested in the least ! Johnson can have moments at times (really rare) & Josh Hutcherson has been annoying since being a child actor, but i will admit johnson is smart showing up in other stars sequels which is currently working well for him since his own films have done awlful box office the last few yrs. The 1st film is much better.

[Dweedlebug]

I don't understand why every time someone decides to make this story into a movie they have to muck it all up with shit that wasn't actually in the story. It's a perfectly good story without adding a bunch of BS to it.

[EpsilonX]

It seems like the rock only gets cast in kids movies like this and never anything more serious....or is that just me?

[Shadow of Death]

Well, I ended up getting it.

It's has some scenes that look really pretty, but that's about all I can say about it. The review score for the movie itself is pretty spot on I should say.

Spoiler:

I mentally face_palmed at the idea that the island can have the variety of life it does with a cycle of 280 years (140 above, 140 below). Even the deleted scene that explains that the animals are 'semi-aquatic and hibernate' doesn't explain how lush the world gets after a mere 140 years. Unless the plants can survive being underwater that deep and in salt water no less (the salt would also result in 'salted earth' where growth would be stunted), it just isn't happening.

Frankly, I found that more difficult to swallow than the idea that there might be a mysterious island out there that spews liquid gold and monstrous (or miniature) versions of existing animals and such.

Also, ants that big would be crushed under their own weight. Just sayin'.

[lawgone]

How does Vanessa Hudgens look?

[cooltobeyou]

Well, I ended up getting it.

It's has some scenes that look really pretty, but that's about all I can say about it. The review score for the movie itself is pretty spot on I should say.

Spoiler:

I mentally face_palmed at the idea that the island can have the variety of life it does with a cycle of 280 years (140 above, 140 below). Even the deleted scene that explains that the animals are 'semi-aquatic and hibernate' doesn't explain how lush the world gets after a mere 140 years. Unless the plants can survive being underwater that deep and in salt water no less (the salt would also result in 'salted earth' where growth would be stunted), it just isn't happening.

Frankly, I found that more difficult to swallow than the idea that there might be a mysterious island out there that spews liquid gold and monstrous (or miniature) versions of existing animals and such.

Also, ants that big would be crushed under their own weight. Just sayin'.

I watched this the other day, and I thought it was fairly entertaining. The best aspect of the movie was definitely the eye candy. The environments and Vanessa Hudgens both looked outstanding on Blu-Ray! The characters, plot, and dialog wasn't that great, but it gets the job done......for a KIDS MOVIE. As a kids' film, I give this a 3 out of 5.

And Shadow of Death, your observations about the science of the movie are spot on. Keep in mind though, this is a FANTASY movie, and it's a KIDS movie. You have to learn to suspend your disbelief for a cheesy movie like this. It's not meant to be taken so seriously.

[EpsilonX]

The environments and Vanessa Hudgens both looked outstanding on Blu-Ray!

Definitely.

My family bought the blu ray combo pack since my 8 year old brother likes the movie and made me watch it the other day. The blu-ray part of the movie looked great. The movie itself though was pretty bad. My main problem was the main character, he felt incredibly unrealistic, I didn't believe a single thing he said or action he made. I got that a little bit from the other characters sometimes, but not nearly as much as that kid

[cooltobeyou]

Definitely.

My family bought the blu ray combo pack since my 8 year old brother likes the movie and made me watch it the other day. The blu-ray part of the movie looked great. The movie itself though was pretty bad. My main problem was the main character, he felt incredibly unrealistic, I didn't believe a single thing he said or action he made. I got that a little bit from the other characters sometimes, but not nearly as much as that kid

I think one of the main problems with the movie was that the exposition was very poor. They take absolutely zero time to establish the characters and their motivations. You don't know anymore about these characters by the end of the film, than you did at the beginning of the movie. Moreover, the movie jumps into the adventure much too quickly as well, the way in which The Rock and Josh Hutcherson discover the Mysterious Island exists is very rushed.

At least, in the first Journey movie, they take a little more time to establish the characters and they don't even really get to the center of the earth until about the 45 minute mark. In the second one, they get to the island, seemingly, within the first 10-15 minutes of the movie.

I'll honestly admit that I liked the first movie a lot, and this second one is definitely not as good. However, it is one hell of a nice Blu-ray.