Poster art for "Journey to the Center of the Earth."

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So-so
Avg. Critic Score: 57 out of 100 Mixed or average reviews Metascore® based on all critic reviews
Information for Parents:
8 OK for kids 8+
Read Common Sense Media review

Critic scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 80
    Washington Post | Ann Hornaday

    Terrific family entertainment, an action comedy on a par with "Night at the Museum" and "National Treasure." Read full review

  • 75
    San Francisco Chronicle | Mick LaSalle

    A legit action movie. Read full review

  • 70
    Variety |

    A more unavoidable obstacle here is that there's not much in the way of plot -- the story is in the tour through the labyrinthian intimacies of inner Earth. As such, it's an f/x wizard's dream, and Brevig makes the most of it. Read full review

  • 67
    Entertainment Weekly | Owen Gleiberman

    Journey is just the new version of a 1950s comin'-at-ya roller coaster, with a tape measure, trilobite antennae, and giant snapping piranha thrust at the audience. Read full review

  • 63
    Rolling Stone | Peter Travers

    I don't know if 3-D could improve all movies (nothing could make "The Love Guru" funny) but it sure works here. Read full review

  • 60
    The Hollywood Reporter | Michael Rechtshaffen

    This first feature by veteran visual effects supervisor Eric Brevig has its transporting, if benign, charms. Read full review

  • 50
    Chicago Sun-Times | Roger Ebert

    This is a fairly bad movie, and yet at the same time maybe about as good as it could be. There may not be an 8-year-old alive who would not love it. Read full review

  • 50
    Los Angeles Times | Jan Stuart

    Ultimately, Journey to the Center of the Earth's minor-league visual pleasures will be most enjoyed by those with the smallest number of celluloid reference points, preferably those who have started going to the movies after "Jurassic Park" or, better yet, the Harry Potter films. Read full review

  • 50
    USA Today | Claudia Puig

    Not so much a movie as an amusement park ride. Read full review

  • 50
    The New York Times | A.O. Scott

    If this movie is not a ride, then what is it? One thing it may not be, quite, is a movie. Read full review

View more reviews for Journey to the Center of the Earth on Metacritic

Information for Parents
Common Sense Media says OK for kids 8+ Formulaic-but-exciting family action-adventurer.
What Parents Need to Know Parents need to know that there's plenty for kids to love in this swashbuckling adventure that brings Jules Verne's classic novel to life. Some special effects may be scary for younger tweens, especially the dinosaurs and other creatures that attack humans -- and especially when viewed in 3-D. But there's hardly any swearing and there are plenty of role models, notably a female mountain guide who clearly isn't a damsel in distress.
  • Families can talk about what the journey means for all three lead characters. On its face, this is a thrilling adventure, but how does it affect them emotionally? Does it bring them closure? 
  • Does the movie do Verne's book justice? If so, how? If not, why not? 
  • Do you think the movie is trying to convey any particular messages?  
The good stuff
  • educationalvalue true2 Educational value: Kids learn about Jules Verne and his novel Journey to the Center of the Earth, which a group of scientists in the film believe to be factual. Professor Trevor Anderson is a volcanologist, so there is talk of the science of volcanoes and some encounters with volcanic tubes, magma, geysers, caves, and gems formed in the caves. There are also scenes with prehistoric creatures. 
  • message true3 Positive messages: Working together through adversity, a shattered family becomes close, finds hope, love, and continues the work of Sean's lost father.  
  • rolemodels true3 Positive role models: Hannah is no damsels in distress, but a woman clearly capable of taking care of herself and others, which is nice to see in this type of movie. Trevor Anderson is smart, resourceful, and brave, but distant at first with his surly teen nephew, Sean. Eventually they find common ground.
What to watch for
  • violence false3 Violence and scariness: Somewhat violent but not gory scenes of carnivorous plants attacking humans, dinosaurs feasting on anything that moves, and flying fish on a rampage.
  • sex false1 Sexy stuff: Two sweet kisses.
  • language false1 Language: The word "schist" is used as a replacement for "s--t."
  • consumerism false2 Consumerism: A fair amount, including mentions of Mountain Dew, PSP, and The Family Guy, plus signage for Iceland Air.
An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology. © Common Sense Media Inc. 2010. All rights reserved.

Journey to the Center of the Earth Movie Ratings + Reviews

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Critics say

So-so See all critic reviews

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