By: ROBERT WALDMAN, Vancouver

Sit back and enjoy the ride as first time film director Eric Brevig takes us on an unbelievable trip in Journey to the Center of the Earth. Fun all the awaits onlookers at this treat from Alliance Films now thrilling folks at Scotiabank Theatre, Esplanade 6, Colossus, Empire Studio 12 and Famous Players Silver City cites around B.C.

                Put your brains on idle as we are swept away into a fully engaging adventure. Based loosely on the classic Jules Verne novel tongue is put firmly in check as a nerdy scientist with a host of problems gets involved in the adventure of a lifetime. Back home at a stuffy university college prof Trevor Anderson seems headed nowhere. Trouble on the job sees his department about to be downsized thanks to a snooty overseer out to create trouble for our sad sack scientist in training. Climatology is big on this man’s agenda, or more specifically the phenomena of volcanoes and some fluke of nature. Like his long lost brother Trevor believes something fundamentally unique is happening in the atmosphere. How right he is!

                While problems on the job persist Trevor gets a doubly whammy when his young nephew Sean arrives on the scene. Apparently this is a stop gap layover for the lad and his mom wants him to “bond” with his uncle before departing for of all places Ottawa. Yes, Canadian jokes surface for mild amusement before the pair latch onto some plan to find out what happened to their dearly departed father/brother.

                That thirst for knowledge is what drives Trevor and before you know it he’s off with Sean to Rekjavick, Iceland, in an effort to learn about abnormal climate change. Once on the ground in the frozen north the pair make contact with a local guide named Hannah Asgeirsson. Clues tell them she’s their best hope of learning what happened long, long ago.

Challenges confound this trio who set off in search of the truth. Certain false steps hurl the esplorers down, way down, into the bowels of the earth. Cut off from the outside the three must rely on their wits and sheer ingenuity to figure out a way out of this living nightmare that seems to have taken them back to an earlier civilization.

Danger awaits these curiosity seekers as they must contend with the elements not to mention scores of surprises lurking around every bend.

                Razzle-dazzle special effects, witty humour and tongue in cheek dialogue spark this rip roaring 92 minute adventure. Shot in 3-D, actually real-D, Journey to the Center of the Earth will quite literally take your breath away. Hotter than ever Brendan Fraser (The Mummy) again turns in a winning performance as the shy nerdy teacher in way over his head and considerably out of his depth. One of the most likeable screen presences Fraser is terrific as this aw shucks sort of character who must go real deep to survive the onslaught that awaits these misguided travelers. Jitters aplenty develop among the trio with Josh Hutcharson (Zathura: A Space Adventure) more than able to hold his own as a 10 year old reluctantly along for the ride. Actress Anita Briem makes an impressive debut as a local mountaineer put to the ultimate test of her training.

                Shot in Montreal, Journey to the Center of the Earth is a film original creator Jules Vernes would be mighty proud of. Likewise for modern viewers of this fun treat.

                Read more reviews by Robert at www.moviereviewssite.com