Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)
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A volcanologist and his nephew embark on a perilous journey to the center of the Earth to find a missing relative.
The story
In 2007, Trevor Anderson, a Bostonian volcanologist, is tasked with looking after his 13-year-old nephew, Sean. When Trevor discovers a mysterious book with notes from his long-lost brother Max, he decides to travel to Iceland to investigate. He takes Sean with him, and they join forces with a local woman named Hannah. After a storm forces them into a cave that collapses, the trio finds themselves trapped underground. They must navigate a subterranean world, eventually falling into a deep hole that leads them into the 'Center of the Earth' where they must find a way back to the surface.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Trevor Anderson, a volcanologist, takes his nephew Sean to Iceland to investigate clues left by Trevor's missing brother, Max. They join Hannah, a local woman, and are forced into a cave by a storm. The cave collapses, and they fall into a massive hole leading to the Earth's center. They discover Max's remains and his journal, which warns of rising temperatures. They must find a geyser to reach the surface within 48 hours. During their journey through an underground ocean, they face piranhas and a Giganotosaurus. Trevor eventually uses a flare to trigger a geyser that shoots them out through Mount Vesuvius in Italy. Trevor uses diamonds found underground to fund his brother's legacy, and the film ends with Trevor and Hannah sharing a kiss while Sean prepares to return home.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 93
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Eric Brevig
- Writers
- Michael D. Weiss · screenplay; Jennifer Flackett · screenplay; Mark Levin · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Brendan Fraser · Professor Trevor Anderson; Josh Hutcherson · Sean Anderson; Anita Briem · Hannah Ásgeirsdóttir; Seth Meyers · Professor Alan Kitzens; Jean-Michel Paré · Maxwell "Max" Anderson; Jane Wheeler · Elizabeth "Liz" Anderson; Frank Fontaine · Old Man; Giancarlo Caltabiano · Leonard; Kaniehtiio Horn · Gum-Chewing Girl; Garth Gilker · Sigurbjörn Ásgeirsson
- Genres
- science fantasy; action-adventure
- Themes
- family bonds; exploration
- Tone and mood
- adventure; fantasy
- Setting
- Iceland and the interior of the Earth.
- Premise and plot tags
- exploration; adventure; fantasy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Jules Verne's 1864 novel
- Franchise connections
- Journey to the Center of the Earth
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics and was described as a fast-paced, kitschy ride.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 60% · scale: percentage · review count: 159; Metacritic · score: 57 · scale: 100 · review count: 35
- Production trivia
- The film introduced the 4DX movie format.; The film's production was completed in Canada and Iceland.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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