Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG)

2.00

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Michael Caine

Anthony Quinn Author Biography

Anthony Quinn

Anthony Quinn is The Independent's Film Critic.

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Friday 03 February 2012

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This latest 3D adventure romp, leaning heavily on Jurassic Park, stars Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, bonding with stroppy stepson Josh Hutcherson as they decode signs from the novels of Jules Verne to find The Mysterious Island.

So it's all aboard Luis Guzman's decrepit helicopter, with his feisty daughter Vanessa Hudgens providing the adolescent eye candy. Do not adjust your 3D specs as you watch grandfather Michael Caine riding a giant bee: this isn't even a dream sequence. There's more: giant lizards, giant predatory birds, giant eels, pile on the chaos in inverse proportion to the interest. The Rock wobbles his pecs, sings, even projects a modicum of charm – but it's still a hard place to be.

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