Dinner and a Movie: 'Journey 2: The Mysterious Island' is Family Adventure

Editor's Note — Dinner and a Movie is our newest feature on Roseville Patch. Every Friday, we'll give you a quick review of a new movie, where and when it plays and a dinner idea to go along with it.

Showtimes: Catch "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" at , 1555 Eureka Road on Digital Projection at 11:30 a.m., 2:15 p.m., 5 p.m., 7:45 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.; also showing on 3D at 12:25 p.m., 1:20 p.m., 3:10 p.m., 4:05 p.m., 5:55 p.m., 6:50 p.m., 8:40 p.m. and 9:35 p.m.

Dinner: For this family-friendly film, we suggest . Make it a family affair with dinner and games pre- or post-movie. Let your kids get their wiggles out at John's (may be best before the movie). Start with the kid-friendly games. Next, fuel up on pizza and salad and you'll be set for the movie. 

Review: 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 step dad. Luis Guzman plays a helicopter pilot name 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 slap stick 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. This 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 thought, 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 about 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 is first rate on that level. The acting, not so much.

Film critic Brett Martin gives his take on a new release. See all Brett's reviews at www.flickedup.com, or follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/brettervideo.

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