Dinner and a Movie: 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' Is a Fun-Filled Family Adventure

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joins a supporting cast of characters in a sequel to the 2008 "Journey to the Center of the Earth" film. This one, once again, has more action and adventure than you can handle in 3D in "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island."

Josh Hutcherson reprises his role as Sean. With Brendan Fraser out in this film, Dwayne Johnson fills the void as Hank, the stepdad. Luis Guzman plays a helicopter pilot named Gabato and his feisty daughter, Kailani, is played by Vanessa Hudgens. Michael Caine chimes in as the grandfather in a film that is filled with laughs and slapstick throughout.

The premise of the film is pretty basic. Young Sean intercepts a distress signal in the South Pacific. They head there, where they encounter a rainbow-filled world where evolutionary animals have gone crazy. All in 3D. There is a good chance that everyone in your home will enjoy this movie. The film is based on a lesser-known story by the great Jules Verne. The science-flavored style of Verne works well with a film like this. Honestly, though, the film is rarely funny and it did seem like the actors were sort of sleepwalking through their roles. I don't think Jules Verne, if he were alive today, would care much for what they did with his story.

So the flick-o-meter gives 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' a three out of five. You could enjoy the film just as much without any sound. The 3D and other technologies make this film first-rate on that level. The acting, not so much.

Showtimes:

The closest place to see 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' is the UA Laguna Village 12, where it shows at 12:50 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 3:40 p.m., 4:10 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 7:10 p.m., 9:20 p.m. and 10:00 p.m.

But to get the full IMAX 3D experience, you'll have to head to the Esquire Imax Theatre in Sacramento, where it's playing at 12:15, 2:30, 4:45, 7:00 and 9:15 p.m.

Dinner:

It's been unseasonably warm this week, so why not go on an outdoor adventure of your own with a family picnic at ? Make it easy on yourself with the Family Take-Out Special from : a 16-inch pizza, garlic sticks and liter of soda for $24.99. Throw in a salad or some carrot sticks so the kids get their daily dose of veggies, and you're good to go. Just watch out for the marauding animals—It's a jungle out there.

Additional reporting by Patch staff.

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