Journey 2: The Mysterious Island review

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (PG, 94 mins)
Director: Brad Peyton
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆


This sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Centre of the Earth replaces star Brendan Fraser with Dwayne Johnson, who along with his stepson Sean (Josh Hutcherson, returning from the original) gets washed up on a remote fantasy island while searching for Sean’s grandfather (Michael Caine). Jules Verne’s source gets freely and amiably adapted, and the literary and mythological references get layered on with glee, even as they’re being chased by giant beasties brought to life by well realised visual effects. It’s all agreeably silly, with high production values and likeable performances from everyone - Johnson even sings! Though slightly light on danger, it builds to a strong finish, is smashing fun for the most part, and as Indy rip-offs go, there’s a whole lot worse out there.

Furry Vengeance review

Furry Vengeance (PG, 91 mins)
Director: Roger Kumble
★ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

In which Brendan Fraser is a developer whose company plans to tear down a forest in order to put up a housing estate. So the CGI assisted animals fight back in this abysmal excuse for a family comedy, generally involving Fraser being hit in the crotch or sprayed in the face with a variety of excreta as the raccoons, skunks and birds torment him with the aid of terrible special effects. The usually amiable Fraser becomes no more than a human punching bag and because it’s so cheap, everything is reaction shot and aftermath, as the critters use teamwork and nature to overcome their technologically superior enemies. It was irritating when the Ewoks did it in Return of the Jedi, and it sure as hell ain’t funny now.