paulclaassen

I never wanted to watch this film. After watching the 1961 film 'Mysterious Island' I decided to watch 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' to see what a modernized version of Jules Verne's novel would look like. I should have trusted my instincts. This atrocious film can be used as The Viewer's Guide to Lazy Filmmaking'. I mean, seriously!!

Whether 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' is a remake of the 1961 film or simply another adaptation of Jules Verne's novel, fact remains this essentially is the same story - but how on earth could they mess it up so badly?? From the acting (especially) to the (tweaked) story to the visuals (yup!!), this was bad on every level. Considering this to be a reasonably big budget film, the visual effects are incredibly bad. Now add all that silly cliched Hollywood (slapstick) humour and this is a film I hated from beginning to end. This was just really stupid.

Ok, so the film is about Sean (Josh Hutcherson) and his stepdad Hank (Dwayne Johnson) going on a quest to finding the mythical mysterious island. They also manage to decipher the clues to the island's location way to easily, not to mention unbelievably. From the moment they arrived on the island, I couldn't wait for the credits to roll. It honestly is as if they never took the movie serious and expected Dwayne Johnson to carry the film - which he probably did.

The romance interest was oh-so-cliched, felt forced and annoying (and might be enjoyed by a teen audience). Every attempt at emotion failed (miserably!). This film might please a young (very young) audience and should keep kids entertained for a bit, but it is way too stupid for a mature audience - unless you switch off all your brain cells and every emotion you might have and just try to enjoy it for the stupid movie it is. I couldn't even do that, and found it almost unwatchable. Sorry, I hated this!

The 1961 film 'Mysterious Island' is an absolute masterpiece compared 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island'. Sure, the bugs in the latter looks more impressive, but everything else was just bad. This is lazy film making at its best...or should that be worst.

Despite what I - or the critics - thought of the movie, it was a box office success grossing $335 million on a $79 million budget. I guess there were a lot of kids out there who wanted to see this...

During the Siege of Richmond Virginia in 1865, three prisoners of war - Captain Harding, Herbert and Neb - and a civilian - Spilitt - make a daring escape in a hot air balloon during a storm. Along for the ride - although not willingly - is the balloon operator, Sergeant Pencroft.

After several days drifting in the wind, they finally crash on an uninhabited island (during a storm). Shortly afterwards, a small boat washes ashore, carrying two ladies, Lady Mary Fairchild and her niece Elena. The third occupant, a man, did not survive.

While making the most of primitive tools to their disposal, they set up a temporary home while building a boat, but there are active volcanoes, giant crabs and giant bees on the island threatening their every day existence...and then there's Captain Nemo, the brilliant creator of the Nautilus submarine, hidden in a cave.

With time running out before the volcano erupts, the film becomes a race against time for our heroes to find a way to get off the island. I enjoyed the characters, and the call to adventure. The visuals might not be the greatest by today's standards, but transport yourself back in time more than six decades and its an entirely different matter. Back in the day the film must have been quite an achievement. Even today, still, this is a highly entertaining film with an amazing production, and an action-packed climax.

'Mysterious Island' - based on the Jules Verne novel - is well worth a watch. I do love these vintage fantasy adventure movies! This was just fabulous.

Although the film is called 'The Godsend' there is nothing godly here, and is a creepy display of the devil's work through the 'innocence' of a young child. The movie has a similar premise to 'The Omen'.

Strolling through the woods, the Marlowe family meets a mysterious, pregnant woman, whom they invite to their home. Alan has an uneasy feeling about the woman, who keeps staring at him. That night, she gives birth to a baby girl, and stays the night. The next morning, she is gone, and the family decides to keep the baby, naming her Bonnie.

Alan and Kate Marlowe has four children, and one by one they start dying in apparent accidents. Alan is the first to become suspicious of Bonnie, but he has no proof. Over the next few years, with tensions rising, grief and suspicion takes its toll on their relationship. Alan realizes he has to resort to drastic measures to save his family.

Wilhelmina Green gives an incredibly creepy performance as the 4-year old Bonnie. I mean this girl is evil personified! Malcolm Stoddard also gives a good performance as Alan. 'The Godsend' is a psychological thriller that's sure to send a chill down your spine, and also ends on a chilling note.