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Journey to Mecca is really two IMAX films in one. It starts and ends with a documentary approach to modern Mecca and in between is tied with the story of Ibn Battuta, an adventurer from the 14th Century. Obviously, in the length of an IMAX, anyone expecting the Arabian Nights covering 40 years of his life in 40 minutes is going to be disappointed. Instead, the film concentrates on his 'Journey to Mecca', a story of shipwrecks and banditry. I thought it was a smart way to go, spicing up what is at heart, a most serious movie, with sword fights while never letting go of the religious quest that is at the heart of the Hajj. Most impressive of all are the shots of the modern pilgrims. Any one who's jaw doesn't drop at the sight of millions of men and women dressed all in white, covering a mountain top, doesn't know the true meaning of the word 'epic'.

It's obvious from the first moments what this film would like to be: an absolute Irish charmer of tears and laughter. Unfortunately, though there are a few genuine moments of hilarity (notably, the ending), it remains a poorly crafted film. The actors are at best wasted, only Kelly and Bannen emerging with laughs. The rest are left floundering with disturbingly thin roles, so that when the plot tries to move forward, you can really hear those wheels groan with the weight. It is a shame, because just the sight of awkward Kelly is enough to bring a smile to your face, which perhaps heightened my disappointment.