The Hindu : Karnataka News : Glimpses of the earth, with 3D effects

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Sunday, Sep 14, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Glimpses of the earth, with 3D effects

Journey to the centre of the earth (English)

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem

Director: Eric Brevig

When scientist Trevor Anderson (Fraser) sets out with his nephew Sean (Hutcherson) and mountain guide Hannah Ásgeirsson (Briem) to find out what happened to his missing brother in Iceland, they discover that the fantastic world described by Jules Verne really does exist at the centre of the earth. The plus point in the film is quite simply, the digital 3D imagery.

Put on the special 3D glasses the theatre provides you and enjoy some amazing visual effects that’ll make you go ‘ooooh!’, such as when willow o’ wisps seem to float right by your nose or dinosaur saliva seems to be dangling directly above you.

The 3D imagery isn’t always perfect, but is quite spectacular during the action sequences set in Verne’s fantastic lost world, such as when Sean crosses a gaping canyon on spinning, floating boulders, or when the characters swim through sparkling, turquoise-blue water. With its amazing digital clarity, this will probably be the best 3D cinematic action you’ve ever seen.

However, if you took away those 3D effects, this is just another rather mediocre adventure flick that feels tired and very been-there-done-that.

That is especially true of Fraser’s performance. Briem’s character does have some refreshingly spunky moments, but that’s only until she compliantly turns into the damsel-in-distress to Fraser’s knight. The bottom line — a so-so adventure flick that’s worth a watch just for the digital 3D effects.

DIVYA KUMAR

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