journey 2 mysterious island map

Where Was Journey 2 The Mysterious Island Filmed?

Brad Peyton helmed the blockbuster adventure movie ‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island,’ the second installment in the Jules Verne-inspired ‘Journey’ series. Upon discovering a signal from Sean’s grandfather Alexander Anderson, Sean and his stepdad, Hank, set out for a sprawling adventure filled with lush greenery and uncanny creatures. They arrive in the far-flung island country of Palau, regroup with Alexander thanks to a cyclone, and embark on a search for the lost city of Atlantis.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson delivers a hilarious performance alongside Michael Caine , Luis Guzmán, Vanessa Hudgens , and Josh Hutcherson. Most of the story unveils in the turbulent pacific, while the finale takes place on a dreamy island. However, you may seek to identify the locations where the movie was filmed. If that is the case, let us divulge before you everything we know.

Journey 2 The Mysterious Island Filming Locations

‘Journey 2: The Mysterious Island’ was filmed in locations in and around the U.S., especially in Hawaii. Filming commenced on October 25, 2010, and was wrapped up by December 15 of the same year. Let us now take you to the specific locations where the movie was filmed!

O’ahu, Hawaii

Most parts of the movie were filmed in Hawaii, possibly including the Atlantis scenes. The director took his team to Kualoa Ranch, a 4,000-acre vast nature reserve, event venue, cattle ranch, and most importantly, a famous filming destination in Hawaii. Situated at 49560 Kamehameha Highway in the community of Ka’a’awa, at around 24 miles from Honolulu, the ranch is a popular tourist destination in the city.

The reserve has been home to more than 79 movie productions, including blockbusters such as ‘Jurassic Park,’ ‘ 50 First Dates ,’ and ‘Pearl Harbor.’ Look for the scene where they are heading towards the submarine, at around 46 minutes mark. You can locate the open space where filming of ‘ Jurassic Park ‘ took place.

Several scenes were also filmed at the Waimea Bay and its adjacent Waimea Bay Beach Park, located at 61-31 Kamehameha Highway in the community of Haleiwa along the north shore of O’ahu. Due to its situation at the mouth of the Waimea River and the proximity of several tourist places, Waimea Bay sees footfall all around the year. In the summer, you can go out surfing, while in the winter, you can enjoy the view of the towering waves with a bonfire.

Wilmington, North Carolina

The production team carried out several scenes in a controlled studio environment. The movie presumably contains several CGI-aided sequences, and the scenes were possibly developed in a full-service production facility in the community of Wilmington off the coast of North Carolina. EUE / Screen Gems Studios, a movie production facility located at 1223 North 23rd Street, lent its premises to film scenes.

The 50-acre expansive studio facility features ten fully equipped soundstages and a back-lot to tackle any global-scale production. Since its inception in 1985, more than 400 titles have come out of the studio. Movies filmed in the studio include blockbusters such as ‘ The Conjuring ‘ and ‘Iron Man 3.’ ‘Iron Man 3’ was one of the most significant projects the studio had ever seen, with filming taking place in all the ten soundstages simultaneously.

New York City, New York

Lastly, a few scenes at the movie’s beginning were filmed on location in New York City. New York City remains one of the most iconic places to shoot a film due to the city’s cultural significance. From Martin Scorsese’s ‘ Taxi Driver ‘ to Woody Allen ‘s ‘ Manhattan ,’ the towering landscape of New York City has been featured in timeless classics.

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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

• View history

It has been four years since the events of the first movie. Seventeen-year-old Sean Anderson ( Josh Hutcherson ) is caught by the police after a brief chase on his dirtbike which ended with him driving into a swimming pool while trying to evade them. Minutes later, his stepfather Hank ( Dwayne Johnson ) arrives where a police officer (Stephen Caudill) who is friends with Hank tells him that Sean had broken into a remote satellite research center. The police officer also tells Hank that he has talked Mr. and Mrs. McGillicutty (the owners of the swimming pool) out of pressing charges. Hank takes Sean home where his mother Elizabeth ( Kristin Davis ) is not pleased with his actions or the fact that he and Hank don't get along well.

Hank discovers that Sean had broken into a satellite research center in order to boost the signal of a code he'd received from someone he suspects is Alexander Anderson, Sean's grandfather who had been missing for two years. Wanting to bond with his stepson the next day, Hank helps Sean decipher the code of Jules Verne characters which lead to three books: Treasure Island , Gulliver's Travels , and Verne's own Mysterious Island . Using the book's individual island maps, Hank suspects they are books of the same island and uses a back light in order to make them all one completed land mass with the coordinates to its location. Hank manages to convince Liz to let the both of them go in search of the island.

They arrive in Palau where their need of transportation to this dangerous part of the ocean attracts a Palauan helicopter tourism guide Gabato ( Luis Guzman ) and his daughter Kailani ( Vanessa Hudgens ) who Sean develops an immediate crush on. They agree to fly them out to the island for $3,000, but the helicopter gets caught in a category 5 hurricane and they crash into the Pacific, waking up on the island.

Crossing into the island, they discover one of the laws of the Mysterious Island that all animals big are small and all animals small are gigantic (inspiring Lilliput from Gulliver's Travels ). The crew find tiny elephants and giant butterflies, which are the first creatures they discover on the island. The group decided to explore further into the island.

After coming across a massive frill-necked lizard when they come across her egg clutch, they are rescued by Alexander ( Michael Caine ) who takes them to a large hut he'd built from the wreckage of the ship that brought him to the island called the Blue-Eyed Lucy. He has a radio, but due to the positioning of the communications satellite it would be two weeks before they could call for help.

The next morning, Alexander leads the group to the lost city of Atlantis which is usually submerged in the ocean and he also calculated that the island sinks once every 70 years. However, the sea water appearing from the ground is the evidence that Hank sees that leads him to prove that the calculations are wrong, and that the island will sink in a couple of days. Their only means of salvation seems to be the legendary Nautilus (Captain Nemo's submarine), hidden somewhere on the island. Kailani enters Nemo's crypt and finds his journal, which has the whereabouts of the ship in a cave at Poseidon's Cliffs. They decided to go to that cave through the heart of the island.

They mount giant bees in order to fly over a high ridge and make up time, but encounter large birds that try to devour the bees. After saving Kailani's life, Sean crashes and dislocates his ankle. Hank and Alexander later patch up Sean's ankle the best they can. Afterward, they have a good moment when Hank sings his rendition of "What a Wonderful World" to ease Sean's pain.

The next morning, the water has risen greatly and Hank deduces that the island will sink in a matter of hours, not days. Gabato is missing having gone toward the island's golden volcano (which was the inspiration for Treasure Island ) in search for the funds to give his daughter a better life. While Alexander and Kailani go after him, Sean and Hank head for Poseidon's Cliffs to look for the Nautilus. Alexander also finally calls Hank by his preferred name, as up to that point he only called him "Henry" and the family makes up.

To deal with the rising water after finding the Nautilus' cave underwater, Sean and Hank make makeshift oxygen tanks and dive down fifty feet in order to obtain the Nautilus and are nearly killed by a giant electric eel. They are unable to power the ship however because the vessel's batteries being 140 years old have run down. They find a way to power the submarine from the electric eel's electricity.

Meanwhile, Kailani and Alexander find Gabato and convince him to escape with them instead of trying for the golden volcano. They head toward the shore as the island begins to suddenly and violently rip itself apart. The golden volcano starts to erupt violently, pouring lava flows all over the area. Highly flammable lava bombs are thrown from the golden volcano into the air and suddenly land on the sinking island's debris. Sean and Hank use a harpoon to get an electrical jump start from the electric eel swarming around them and they are able to power the machine, just in time to pick up the others who had fallen into the water. Gabato pilots the submarine out of harm's way while Hank and Sean fire torpedoes into the path of falling island debris. As they clear the dangers, Kailani finally kisses Sean for his bravery.

Six months later, Kailani and Gabato are well off. Gabato is now running the most popular tourist attraction on Palau providing tours aboard the Nautilus and Kailani is attending college. Kailani goes to visit Sean on his birthday. While they are celebrating, Alexander shows up with a book for Sean's birthday present. Sean opens it to find Jules Verne's From the Earth to the Moon , Alexander's suggestion for the next adventure with the family to which Liz protests. Hank replies "What could possibly go wrong? It's only the moon!"

During the credits, the mini-elephants from the earlier scene are swimming underwater over Atlantis.

• Dwayne Johnson as Hank Parsons, Sean's stepfather and a former Navy code breaker.
• Michael Caine as Alexander Anderson, Sean's grandfather who is also the father of Max and Trevor Anderson.
• Josh Hutcherson as Sean Anderson, Hank's stepson who wants to find his missing grandfather on the Mysterious Island.
• Vanessa Hudgens as Kailani Laguatan, Sean's love interest who is part of the father-daughter tour guide team.
• Luis Guzman as Gabato Laguatan, Kailani's father, who is part of the father-daughter tour guide team.
• Kristin Davis as Elizabeth "Liz" Anderson-Parsons, Sean's mother.

• 1 Civil War

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

• Sean Anderson partners with his mom's husband on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.
• Ever since his adventure in the center of the Earth, Sean Anderson has been looking for other places mentioned by Verne and other Vernians. He is notified about a coded message, and breaks into a satellite facility to fully receive it. With the help from his stepfather Hank (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) he decodes the message leading him to find the map that leads him to Verne's mysterious island. Along with Gabato and Kailani, Sean embarks on a mission to find his grandfather, the legendary Vernian Alexander. But unexpected problems arise as Alexander made a mistake that could change everything. — Anonymous User - Earth
• After travelling to the center of the Earth, Sean Anderson, now seventeen, has been at the usual teen schemes lately. His latest crime lands him to finding something extraordinary, a key to a chunk of land in the Pacific Ocean. Sean teams up with his stepfather, Hank, to get there, and they meet an overeager chopper pilot, and his teenage daughter, to get to Sean's grandfather, Alexander, only to discover the mysterious island.
• After going to the center of the Earth, seventeen-year-old Sean Andeson goes on a journey to find The Mysterious Island, a legend discovered by Jules Verne. Assisted by his stepfather, Hank, the pair team up with a helicopter pilot and his beautiful daughter to find Sean's lost grandfather, whom Sean believes is on the island. The team encounters monsters, witty remarks, and a deadly conflict along the way.
• A young male, his stepfather, and a pair of travel guides travel to an island that is not as it seems. Once they find out that the island is sinking, they do everything that they can to find a way off the island and get back home safely with the help of an experienced relative. — RECB3
• 17-year-old Sean Anderson receives a coded distress signal from a mysterious island where no island should exist. Unable to stop him from tracking the signal to its source, Sean's new stepfather, Hank, joins the quest that will take them first to the South Pacific, and then to a place few people have ever seen. Or lived to tell about. It's a place of stunning beauty, strange and threatening life forms, volcanoes, mountains of gold and more than one astonishing secret. Together with Gabato, the only helicopter pilot willing to risk the trip, and Gabato's beautiful, strong-willed daughter Kailani, they set out to find the island, rescue its lone human inhabitant and escape before seismic shockwaves force the island underwater and bury its treasures forever.

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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

• View history

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a 2012 American science fantasy action-adventure film [4] directed by Brad Peyton and produced by Beau Flynn , Tripp Vinson and Charlotte Huggins. A sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), the film is based on Jules Verne 's The Mysterious Island (1875). It stars Dwayne Johnson , Michael Caine , Josh Hutcherson , Vanessa Hudgens , Luis Guzmán , and Kristin Davis . The storyline was written by Richard Outten , Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn, and the screenplay by Brian and Mark Gunn.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was released in cinemas on February 10, 2012, by Warner Bros. Pictures , New Line Cinema and Walden Media to mixed reviews, [5] [6] but was a box office success with a worldwide gross of $335 million, surpassing its predecessor. [3] It was released on DVD/Blu-ray on June 5, 2012.

• 3.1 Casting
• 3.2 Short film
• 4.1 Theatrical release
• 4.2 Home media
• 5.1 Box office
• 5.2 Critical response
• 5.3 Accolades
• 6 Soundtrack
• 10 See also
• 11 References
• 12 External links

Four years after his adventure in the center of the earth , 17-year-old Sean Anderson is arrested by the police for breaking into a satellite control center in hopes of enhancing a coded signal that could have been sent by his long-missing grandfather, Alexander Anderson. Wanting to bond with Sean, his new stepfather Hank Parsons helps decipher the code, which leads to three books: Treasure Island , Gulliver's Travels , and Jules Verne's Mysterious Island . Using the books' individual maps, Hank uses a backlight to make them a single island, complete with the coordinates to its location. Hoping to prove to Sean that there is no mysterious island there, Hank agrees to take him to where the coordiantes point to.

In Palau, Hank reluctantly hires helicopter tourism guide Gabato and his daughter Kailani (on whom Sean develops an immediate crush) to fly to the coordinates, as they are the only ones willing to take them. The helicopter gets caught in a cyclone and they crash into the Pacific, waking up on the island.

Moving inland, they are shocked to discover miniature elephants (which belong to a prehistoric species, the Dwarf sicilian elephant) and giant butterflies. After coming across an egg clutch, Gabato accidentally wakes up a giant frilled lizard, which chases them throughout the jungle. They nearly get eaten, but are saved by Alexander. He takes them to a hut he built from the wreckage of the ship that brought him to the island. He has a working radio, but due to the positioning of the satellite, it will be two weeks before they can call out.

The next morning, Alexander leads the group to the lost city of Atlantis, which rises every 70 years and sinks again after a couple of days. Their only means of salvation seems to be the legendary Nautilus , Captain Nemo's submarine. Kailani enters Nemo's crypt and finds his journal, which shows that Nautilus is in a cave at Poseidon's Cliffs.

To go there, they mount giant bees and fly over a high ridge. When giant bee-eater birds try to devour them, Sean saves Kailani's life, but dislocates his ankle. Hank and Alexander reset Sean's ankle, then the group has a bonding moment when Hank sings his rendition of "What a Wonderful World" to ease Sean's pain.

The next morning, the water rises greatly and Hank deduces that the island will sink in a matter of hours. Gabato is missing, having gone toward the island's volcano in search of gold. While Alexander and Kailani go after him, Sean and Hank head for Poseidon's Cliffs.

To reach Nautilus ' underwater cave, Sean and Hank create makeshift oxygen tanks and dive down fifty feet, but are nearly killed by a giant electric moray eel. The 140-year-old batteries have run down, so they engineer a way to start the submarine with the eel's electricity.

Kailani and Alexander find Gabato and convince him to escape with them instead of trying for the volcano. As they near Poseidon's Cliffs, the volcano erupts. Sean and Hank arrive in Nautilus just in time to rescue the others from the water. Gabato pilots the submarine out of harm's way while Hank and Sean fire torpedoes into the path of falling debris. As they clear the dangers, Kailani kisses Sean for his bravery.

Six months later, Kailani and Gabato are well off, as he runs the most popular tourist attraction on Palau – tours aboard the Nautilus . Kailani visits Sean on his birthday. While the family celebrates, Alexander arrives with a book for Sean's birthday present – Jules Verne's From the Earth to the Moon , Alexander's suggestion for the next new adventure with the family.

• Dwayne Johnson as Hank , Sean's stepfather and a former Navy code breaker.
• Michael Caine as Alexander , Sean's grandfather who is the father of Max and Trevor Anderson from the previous film .
• Josh Hutcherson as Sean , Hank's stepson who wants to find his missing grandfather on the Mysterious Island.
• Luis Guzmán as Gabato , Kailani's father, who is part of the father-daughter tour guide team.
• Vanessa Hudgens as Kailani , part of the father-daughter tour guide company and Sean’s love interest.
• Kristin Davis as Liz, Sean's mother and Hank's wife. Portrayed by Jane Wheeler in the previous film .
• Anna Colwell as Jessica
• Stephen Caudill as Cop, a police officer who is a friend of Hank's.
• Branscombe Richmond as Tour Guide
• Walter Bankson as Hockey Player

Production [ ]

After the commercial success of the first film, New Line Cinema and Walden Media purchased Richard Outten 's spec script, Mysterious Travels , in March 2009 to serve as the basis for the film. In the story, the characters embark on a journey to a mysterious uncharted island thought to have inspired the writing of three literary classics: Robert Louis Stevenson 's Treasure Island , Jonathan Swift 's Gulliver's Travels , and Jules Verne 's Mysterious Island . Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn were chosen to revise Outten's script. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema announced that Journey 2: The Mysterious Island would be released on February 10, 2012.

Casting [ ]

Josh Hutcherson was the only actor to reprise his role. Due to scheduling issues, Brendan Fraser and Anita Briem did not return. Kristin Davis replaced Jane Wheeler as Sean's mother Liz. Dwayne Johnson played Sean's stepfather, who is forced to accompany Sean on the trip to find his missing grandfather Alexander (played by Michael Caine ) on a mythical and monstrous island. [7] Vanessa Hudgens was cast as Hutcherson's love interest, Kailani.

Short film [ ]

The theatrical release of the film was preceded by a Looney Tunes short film titled Daffy's Rhapsody , featuring Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd in the first CG or 3-D depiction of these specific Looney Tunes characters. The short film's director, Matthew O'Callaghan, noted that " Daffy Rhapsody was originally recorded in the early 1950s as part of a kids' album". Unlike the earlier CG Looney Tunes shorts that appeared before Happy Feet Two and Yogi Bear , this short did not appear on the home video release of the film it accompanied.

Release [ ]

Theatrical release [ ].

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was released in cinemas on February 10, 2012, by Warner Bros. Pictures , Walden Media and New Line Cinema . The film was accompanied by a 3D Looney Tunes short titled Daffy's Rhapsody . The short was originally going to play before Happy Feet Two , but was replaced with I Tawt I Taw a Puddy Tat to go along with the bird theme.

Home media [ ]

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was released on DVD/Blu-ray on June 5, 2012.

Reception [ ]

Box office [ ].

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island grossed $103.9 million in North America and $231.4 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $335.3 million, against a production budget of $79 million [8] surpassing its predecessor . [9] [10] In North America, the film earned a $6.54 million on its debut Friday, ranking fourth at the box office. [11] Over the weekend, it earned $27.3 million, coming in third place, much higher than the original's $21.0 million debut. [12] Outside North America, Journey 2 began its run three weeks before its North American release. [13] It topped the box office outside North America for two consecutive weekends [14] and three in total. [15] It surpassed the original's total outside North America. [16] Its highest-grossing region after North America was China ($58.4 million), [17] followed by Russia and the CIS ($17.6 million) and Mexico ($12.7 million). [18]

Critical response [ ]

On Rotten Tomatoes the film has an approval rating of 44% based on 131 reviews with an average rating of 4.92/10. The site's critical consensus reads: "Aggressively unambitious, Journey 2 might thrill teen viewers, but most others will find it too intense for young audiences and too cartoonishly dull for adults". [5] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 41 out of 100 based on reviews from 27 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". [6] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A−" on an A+ to F scale. [19]

Lisa Schwarzbaum of Entertainment Weekly gave the film a B grade, stating that "the movie flies by pleasantly, and is then instantly forgettable. Perhaps Jules Verne can explain the science of that". [ citation needed ]

Accolades [ ]

Soundtrack [ ].

• Letterbomb - Performed by Green Day
• Sleep Forever - Performed by Crocodiles
• Aloha Oe - Performed by Dwayne Johnson
• Hello Again - Performed by Meta & The Cornerstones
• Three Little Birds - Performed by Bob Marley & The Wailers
• What a Wonderful World - Performed by Dwayne Johnson

In August 2014, Carey Hayes and Chad Hayes were announced to write the script for a third film. [21] Brad Peyton and Dwayne Johnson were expected to direct and star in the sequel, respectively. [22] It was later stated that there would be two sequels. [23] By January 2018 however, Johnson stated despite the financial success of The Mysterious Island , and although a third film titled Journey from the Earth to the Moon was intended, its development had been cancelled due to a lack of immediate interest and troubles in adequately adapting the novel. [24] Despite this, reports from Hollywood production insiders arose in August 2020, stating that a sequel was once again in development. In December 2021, Hiram Garcia confirmed that Warner Bros. Pictures wants a sequel film, though Seven Bucks Productions decided to delay development in favor of pursuing other projects. [25]

Gallery [ ]

See also [ ]

• Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008 film)

References [ ]

• ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012): Full Production Credits" . Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on January 4, 2013 . Retrieved March 23, 2012 . <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
• ↑ " JOURNEY 2 – (PG) ".
• ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 " Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ " JOURNEY 2: THE MYSTERIOUS ISLAND ". Warner Bros .
• ↑ 5.0 5.1 " Journey 2: The Mysterious Island ". Rotten Tomatoes .
• ↑ 6.0 6.1 " Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Reviews ". Metacritic.com.
• ↑ McNary, Dave (8 September 2010). " Michael Caine set for 'Journey 2' ". Variety .
• ↑ " Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) - Box Office Mojo ".
• ↑ " Jules Verne Showdown ".
• ↑ Subers, Ray (April 18, 2012). " Around-the-World Roundup: 'Journey 2' Wins Weak Weekend ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Subers, Ray (February 11, 2012). " Friday Report: 'The Vow,' 'Safe House' Draw Huge Crowds ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Subers, Ray (February 12, 2012). " Weekend Report: Moviegoers Say "I Do" to 'The Vow,' Check In to 'Safe House' ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Subers, Ray (January 25, 2012). " Around-the-World Roundup: 'Sherlock' Outwits Competition for Third-Straight Weekend ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Subers, Ray (February 21, 2012). " Around-the-World Roundup: 'Journey 2' Still Strong Overseas ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Subers, Ray (February 21, 2012). " Around-the-World Roundup: 'Journey 2' Wins Weak Weekend ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Subers, Ray (February 28, 2012). " Around-the-World Roundup: 'Ghost Rider 2' Catches Fire Overseas ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Xia, Yun (March 17, 2012). " China Weekly Box Office (03/05 – 03/11): War Horse repeat while A Simple Life shined; Mission Impossible 4 crossed $100m ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ " Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) - International Box Office Results ". Box Office Mojo .
• ↑ Weinstein, Joshua L. (11 February 2012). " Strong Friday Box Office Puts 'The Vow,' 'Safe House' on Track for $38M+ Weekend ". Reuters . ““Safe House” and “Journey 2” each got an “A-.””
• ↑ Roger Ebert (February 8, 2012). "Jump-starting the Nautilus with an electric eel" . Chicago Sun-Times . Retrieved February 6, 2021 . <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
• ↑ " ' Journey' Sequels in the Works With 'Conjuring' Writers (Exclusive)" . The Hollywood Reporter. August 14, 2014. <templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
• ↑ " Brad Peyton Wants A More "Mature" Journey 3 ".
• ↑ " Dwayne Johnson Journey 3 and 4: Writers Hired For Two More Sequels ".
• ↑ Stephens, David (January 3, 2018). " Dwayne Johnson Confirms That Journey 3 Isn't Happening ". Screen Rant .
• ↑ Weintraub, Steve (December 31, 2021). " Exclusive: Producer Hiram Garcia on ‘Red Notice,’ ’Black Adam,’ the Next ‘Jumanji’ Sequel, and Dwayne Johnson’s Upcoming Schedule ". Retrieved on January 5, 2022.

External links [ ]

• {{WP|Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
• Official website

• Journey 2: The Mysterious Island at the TCM Movie Database
• Journey 2: The Mysterious Island at AllMovie
• Journey 2: The Mysterious Island at the American Film Institute Catalog
• Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Now Shooting; Set Photos Surface at /Film
• 1 Tooned Out
• 3 Missy Cooper

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Journey 2 reveals the mysterious allure of islands

Jules Verne's works have much to offer the makers of CGI-prone, 3D-disposed kids' adventure flicks. The 2008 version of Journey to the Centre of the Earth did well enough at the box office, so a sequel was obligatory. We could have had Captain Nemo's submarine odyssey, the exploration of Africa from a balloon or a voyage to the moon by cannon-fired projectile. Instead, we get a trip to an island.

Even in Verne's day, this was considered a bit of a let-down. The author's publisher rejected the first version of what was to become The Mysterious Island with the reproach: "Where is the science?" To beef things up a bit, Verne got his adventurers blown off course while escaping from a war zone by balloon. Less thrillingly, the heroes of Journey 2: The Mysterious Island travel instead by downmarket tourist chopper.

Still, their destination is an island, and islands enjoy a special place in the human imagination. Those who can, including Marlon Brando, John Wayne and Mel Gibson, have insisted on actually owning one. Tiberius preferred to rule the Roman empire from Capri, while to create Nineteen Eighty-Four , Orwell felt obliged to maroon himself on Jura. A poet called Kimon Friar lived on 46 different islands ; a decorator called Andy Strangeway has slept on 162 ; a conservationist called Philip Conkling has visited a thousand .

The allure prompting such behaviour infected cinema from its beginnings. The first big-screen version of Verne's The Mysterious Island appeared in 1929, though the 1961 stop-motion animation is better remembered and the little-known Soviet version has its admirers. Island settings have sustained films as different as Jaws, South Pacific, The Wicker Man, Dr No and Il Postino, or more recently Mamma Mia!, Shutter Island and Archipelago.

Our preoccupation with islands goes back to classical times, while since the middle ages, both paradises and hell-holes have typically been envisaged on islands. This year, the BBC celebrates the 70th anniversary of its longest-running programme, Desert Island Discs , and Danny Boyle presents his Olympian extravaganza , entitled, fittingly enough, Isles of Wonder.

The role of islands in the human psyche has been much pondered , but the artefacts that they've inspired offer clues enough. Works such as The Tempest, Utopia, Gulliver's Travels, Robinson Crusoe, Treasure Island and Lord of the Flies may seem very different, but they utilise the same obvious but distinct features of isolation.

Islands are necessarily extrinsic; but, unlike deserts, forests or mountain ranges, they're also peculiarly finite. This makes them theatres in which alternative worlds can readily take the stage.

Evolution makes this happen automatically, as Darwin discovered in the Galapagos . Journey 2: The Mysterious Island relies on Foster's rule , which asserts that island life-forms may get larger if cut off from predators or smaller if denied mainland nutrients. That's why Michael Caine is subjected to the indignity of having to ride on a giant bee. However, as in so many island fictions, human character also evolves.

Islands provide distance from familiar ways of thinking and invite or require reassessments. Visits to them, real or imaginary, can be as conceptually disruptive as any sojourn in the contrived landscapes of science fiction. They enable us, as one writer has it, "to know ourselves as distinct from those around us, and, in so doing, forge a more articulated relationship with the world" . So it is, sort of, in Journey 2.

The film's protagonists are peculiarly unappealing. As romantic leads, Josh Hutcherson and Vanessa Hudgens are both vacuous and unpleasant. Luis Guzmán is drearily gross and The Rock seems to have wandered in from another movie. The quartet's adventures are mechanically predictable. When we reach the bog-standard redemptive climax to which they're subjected, we might weep with weariness, but for one thing. It's that island locale. This makes the whole thing somehow work.

Journey 2 is based on the idea that Verne, Stevenson and Swift's books were rooted in fact; that they were prompted by rumours of an uncharted island that does actually exist . The film ends up by reminding us that just such an enchanted isle is indeed real enough. It lies, however, not in the wide ocean's stormy embrace, but amid the boundless seas of the human soul.

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Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Intrepid young explorer Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson) traces a mysterious distress signal to a remote island that’s not on any map, and embarks on a daring rescue mission to find his missing grandfather (Michael Caine). Directed by Brad Peyton, ‘Journey 2’ is the follow-up to 2008’s successful ‘Journey to the Center of the Earth.’

On an island full of strange and oversized creatures, the primary challenge for the team was to create a giant, photo-real lizard that aggressively chases the protagonists as they stumble upon its nest.

Led by MPC Vancouver VFX Supervisor Erik Nordby and VFX Producers Julian Levi & Liz Waterlow, the team completed a total of 42 shots in native stereo.

The director’s brief was to create a thrilling jungle chase sequence and MPC were tasked with creating a photo-real lizard that stood 12 feet tall and 30 feet long and displayed a large cape-like frill and sharp dino-like teeth.

With this in mind, the team set about pre-vising the sequence. Knowing that the creature design needed to focus on striking a balance between enlarging a pre-existing ‘real’ lizard, and adapting it by enlarging its main features and textures. The team experimented with the effects on body and head postures, natural gait and the movement of a creature more than 10 times its normal size.

To help with the development and character study work, the team brought in Dr. Stuart Sumida – an expert in animal anatomy and movement – who helped determine the basic patterns and behaviours that the team should aim to recreate. The team focused on frilled lizards and iguanas as the real-world counterparts that the team’s giant lizard would be based on. Walk cycles were later designed and then enlarged to gauge their success.

With the animation set, the environment team went about creating a dynamic foliage system that would allow the giant lizard to run through the jungle and look fully integrated into it. The team built several sizes of appropriate trees, bushes and ferns with which the lizard could push out of the way or destroy. By intelligently placing these throughout the plates, the team could place the lizard successfully into the shots seamlessly.

Finally, MPC’s FX team focussed on adding dust and debris to the lizards footprints as well as smoke which emits from the lizards nostrils after swallowing a CG flare.

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• DVD & Streaming

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

• Action/Adventure , Comedy , Kids , Sci-Fi/Fantasy

Content Caution

In Theaters

• February 10, 2012
• Dwayne Johnson as Hank; Michael Caine as Alexander; Josh Hutcherson as Sean; Vanessa Hudgens as Kailani; Luis Guzmán as Gabato

Home Release Date

• June 5, 2012
• Brad Peyton

Distributor

• Warner Bros.

Movie Review

It’s not that Sean hates his stepdad, Hank.

He’s no little kid anymore, though. And he doesn’t need some new “rent” hovering over him, trying to get into his business. He’s a teenager now and can take care of himself.

Still, it was kind of fun that Hank knew so much about code-breaking from his Navy days. Together they were able to decode that puzzling message from his long-lost grandfather. And they even figured out the clues about the classic novels—Jules Verne’s The Mysterious Island, Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels and Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island —how they all fit together and were really about the same island.

It was really cool that Hank agreed to help him hunt down the map coordinates they found and head off on an adventure to find that secret island. They might even find Sean’s grandfather in the process! Maybe he needs to give Hank a bit more credit for trying to be a pretty good dad after all.

How many guys would shell out the kind of bank required to take this trip and hire a helicopter to check out a set of coordinates out in the middle of the Pacific? Not many. That’s definitely something in Hank’s favor.

The trip even gave Sean the chance to meet Kailani, the helicopter guy’s daughter. And boy is she cute! She’s not really giving Sean the time of day yet, but, oh well. All in all it’s been an incredible couple of days so far. And, well, Sean figures he might actually owe it all to Hank.

Sean would probably almost be ready to, kind of, tell Hank how he felt about him now … if that funnel cloud hadn’t disabled their helicopter and they weren’t crashing into the ocean. Isn’t it funny how life flashes before your eyes and things get so clear just before you’re about to croak?

Positive Elements

Hank does indeed do his best to make a connection with his standoffish stepson. And as the movie progresses, the two take great strides toward a true father/son bond. Hank talks of his own dad abandoning him when he was 8. And he makes it crystal clear that he isn’t going anywhere. As unexpectedly crazy as their adventure becomes, Hank always comes back to trying to protect Sean and make wise choices.

When Hank gives Sean a little advice about the opposite sex, his speech includes some wisdom about being sensitive and curbing a teen’s natural instincts—along with just a dash of silliness about “pec popping,” which could actually be construed, in a bit of a roundabout way, as a hedge against getting too serious too fast.

Hank’s sense of parental commitment even impacts Sean’s grandfather, Alexander, whom they do meet in the middle of their journey. Alexander had, in a way, abandoned his family in the pursuit of his research. And eventually the old scientist realizes that it’s not too late to reconnect and have the same kind of rewarding relationships that Hank is forming with Sean.

The helicopter owner, Gabato, becomes part of the adventuring crew after the crash. And we learn of his love and devotion for his daughter. He longs to send her to college to give her a better life, and he puts his own life on the line to try to dig up a large chunk of island gold to make that possible. Kailani voices her love for her dad, but tells him, “We’ll have all the wealth we need—as long as we’re together.” On several occasions, Sean makes brave choices to protect Kailani from island threats.

Spiritual Elements

When Gabato first sees the beauty of the island, he coos, “If this is heaven, I’m checking in.” When he finds the gold, he exclaims, “My prayers have been answered.”

Sexual Content

Kailani wears a figure-fitting, midriff-baring and cleavage-revealing outfit of shorts and a tank top. Sean immediately takes notice of her. And, later, they share a brief kiss. Sean’s mom sports a little cleavage too.

Violent Content

The island has a special “what is normally small grows large” property about it. And so there are several chase scenes involving giant birds, a king-sized lizard and an enormous electric eel. The result is several slo-mo images of upclose chomping mouths and barely missing snapping beaks. The birds and the lizard are all eventually knocked out cold (with the birds flying into other objects and the lizard getting thumped by rope-suspended logs). An enormous spider and some oversized centipedes are a little frightening-looking, but never a real threat.

During one chase Sean falls and dislocates his ankle. A ravaging funnel cloud snaps the tail of Gabato’s helicopter, sending it and everyone aboard plummeting to the ocean below. (The humans all survive. The helicopter, not so much.) When the mysterious island starts sinking, the land shakes, volcanoes erupt and mayhem ensues. Alexander, Gabato and Kailani fall into the churning sea and are moments away from drowning when Hank and Sean come to the rescue.

Crude or Profane Language

Two uses of “heck” and one “crap.”

Drug and Alcohol Content

Questioning someone’s poor choice, Hank wonders aloud what they were drinking.

Other Negative Elements

We see Sean riding his dirt bike to elude the police after he reportedly broke into a satellite facility. Comic relief guy Gabato delivers several light poop and body odor jokes. Hank tries to scare off a giant lizard with a lit road flare: When the creature bites the top off the flare, Hank looks at it and eeps out, “That’s emasculating.”

A sequel to 2008’s Journey to the Center of the Earth , this film takes the same “what if?” premise of the original (What if Jules Verne’s books weren’t fabrications of the author’s imagination, but a record of his scientific discoveries?) and expands on it nicely.

New cast additions add some heft and chuckles. The mysterious island itself has lots of color and pizzazz. And the ride-a-giant-bee-and-pick-up-a-teeny-elephant contrariness of that secret place makes the journey all the more crazy and fun. Plus, the snippets of clues from classic novels make you want to explore your local library shelves.

Then add in the fact that the filmmakers go to great lengths to explore the value of strong family bonds and lasting parental commitment—while the gang is running from the mayhem of giant birds and torrential flood waters—and you’ve got a light family adventure with a fair amount going for it.

During the press screening I attended, a particularly frenetic—but not too scary—chase sequence had just taken place. We were all sitting back from the edge of our collective seats as a character onscreen asked, “Everyone all right?” And out of the audience, a small, sincere and youthful voice piped up with, “I’m OK.”

The adults in the audience chuckled, but that little moment drove the real charm of this pic home to me. This is the kind of movie that will draw in its audience with an exciting ride and a heartwarming message while making sure that even the youngest in the family feels safe and secure. And if you ask me, that’s pretty “OK” indeed.

After spending more than two decades touring, directing, writing and producing for Christian theater and radio (most recently for Adventures in Odyssey, which he still contributes to), Bob joined the Plugged In staff to help us focus more heavily on video games. He is also one of our primary movie reviewers.

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"Journey 2: The Mysterious Island" looks like nothing so much as one of those live-action adventures that Disney used to grind out in the 1950s — and hey, here's Captain Nemo's Nautilus to prove it. Also, a tree house to humble "Swiss Family Robinson," which contains a short-wave radio that has been assembled from old spoons, I think I heard.

The movie is very, very loosely a sequel to " Journey to the Center of the Earth ," with only two connections: It's inspired by a Jules Verne novel, and it co-stars young Josh Hutcherson as the hero Sean. The film opens with him on a motorcycle and being chased by cops, but not to worry; all he did was break into a satellite-tracking station to boost the power on a message for help sent by his grandfather from a lost island in the Pacific.

Sean, whose father in the first film ( Brendan Fraser ) has disappeared (from the cast, anyway), now has to deal with Hank ( Dwayne Johnson , aka the Rock). Hank is his new stepdad. Josh and Hank make friends by decrypting grandfather's message; Hank glances at it and intuits that the two-syllable words stand for dots and one-syllable words stand for dashes, which means Grandpa has had enough free time on his remote island to figure out a way to make Morse code several times longer than it previously was. Unanswered is why grandfather would encrypt a call for help.

This Hank, what a swell guy. He proposes that the two of them fly off to the Pacific and find Grandpa. On arrival somewhere, they hire a tourist helicopter pilot named Gabato, played by Luis Guzman as another one of those low-comedy guys who gets all worked up and is scared of stuff. (I enjoyed a reprise of this classic shot: Gabato runs toward camera, falls on stomach, looks up …and up … and up.)

Gabato has a daughter named Kailani ( Vanessa Hudgens ), a Polynesian beauty who wears a tank top and Daisy Dukes throughout the film. These four fly off in the helicopter, are trapped in a Force Five hurricane that rips it to pieces and are lucky enough to find themselves alive on the beach of the Mysterious Island.

This is your complete island. It has an active volcano; waterfalls with no apparent water sources streaming down cliffs; elephants the size of dogs, and giant lizards that are nowhere big enough to account for the size of their eggs. (Josh falls through the shell of one, splashes in a pool of yolk and is attacked by an unborn lizard chick.) Also on the island is the lost city of Atlantis, even though it's in the wrong ocean, and bees so big Sean and Kailani can both ride on the back of one. And Alexander Anderson, Sean's grandfather, played by Michael Caine , who will not be editing this role into his videos about how to act in movies.

I hope you understand I enjoyed most of this stuff. The director, Brad Peyton , apparently intended it as a genial parody of countless other movies in this spirit. There is, for example, a scene were Sean, Grandpa, Kailani and Gabato all sit around the old campfire and listen while Hank strums a ukulele and sings "What a Wonderful World." And I mean he sings it: every word of three verses. It's not every day you see the Rock channeling Gene Autry.

Sean deduces that Verne's novel contains everything they need to know, and this comes in handy when the volcano explodes, and the island begins to sink into the sea. Sure enough, Captain Nemo's submarine is still hidden underwater. Hank and Sean, trusting Verne, dive off a high cliff, and while holding their breath and swimming underwater, are able to (1) find the sub, (2) open the hatch by tugging and twisting it, (3) swim inside, (4) push a lever to fill it with air, and (5) get the power generator working by jump-starting it with an electric eel.

This is transcendently goofy. It isn't a "good" movie in the usual sense (or most senses), but it is jolly and good-natured, and Michael Caine and Dwayne Johnson are among the most likable of actors. Johnson is such a good sport, he even shows young Sean how to impress girls by flexing your pecs so quickly that nuts will ricochet off them. I can't think of any reason to pay extra for the 3-D.

Roger Ebert

Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism.

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Film credits.

Journey 2: Mysterious Island (2012)

Rated PG for some adventure action, and brief mild language

Josh Hutcherson as Sean

Dwayne Johnson as Hank

Vanessa Hudgens as Kailani

Michael Caine as Alexander

Luis Guzman as Gabato

Directed by

• Brad Peyton

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Journey 2: the mysterious island.

Sean Anderson partners with his mom's husband on a mission to find his grandfather, who is thought to be missing on a mythical island.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) – Review

With the commercial success of the Brendan Fraser led adventure comedy Journey to the Center of the Earth the people over at New Line Cinema obviously wanted a sequel but as Jules Verne’s original novel didn’t have a sequel they decided to mine for ideas from other stories, taking elements from Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island , Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels and Jules Verne’s own Mysterious Island – which was actually a sequel to Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea – but what they didn’t land for the return journey was star Brendan Fraser.

Taking place four years after the previous adventure we find seventeen-year-old Sean Anderson ( Josh Hutcherson ) living in Dayton, Ohio with his mom ( Kristin Davis ) and his stepdad Hank ( Dwayne Johnson ), he’s not a happy camper and spends all his time obsessing over Jules Verne and trying to decode a radio signal that he suspects was sent by his long-missing grandfather, Alexander Anderson ( Michael Caine ). With help from Hank, they figure out that code by deducing that it uses Jules Verne characters and maps from three different books, Treasure Island, Gulliver’s Travels and Verne’s own Mysterious Island and by combining these three maps into one single large map it reveals the co-ordinates an uncharted island.

It’s at this point they should have called Dora the Explorer for help.

But with the Dora the Explorer unavailable Sean and Hank fly to Palau in the hopes of chartering a boat and proving whether or not this mysterious island actually exists, unfortunately, the area they want to check out is considered by most to be too dangerous to visit and is referred by the locals as a “graveyard of ships” and thus our heroes are forced to resort to hiring a broken down helicopter operated by tourism guide Gabato ( Luis Guzmán ) and his daughter Kailani ( Vanessa Hudgens ). No sooner do they arrive at the coordinates than they find themselves trapped in a cyclone, which batters the helicopter and sends them down into the sea. Lucky for them they all wash ashore on the Mysterious Island and they immediately proceed to search for Sean’s grandfather in the hopes that his radio can call for help.

“Hello, I’m Oscar-winning actor Michael Caine, and I’ll be slumming it with you today ,”

Question: How exactly does one steer a bee?

Stray Observations: • The first movie dealt with Sean’s missing father and in this sequel, we have Sean’s missing grandfather, clearly, the common denominator here is Sean. • A helicopter is not the ideal vehicle to search for an island that may or may not exist as the fuel capacity of said aircraft is rather limited. • The island is hidden by a permanent hurricane, something that would attract every meteorologist in the world to investigate. • Our heroes get cornered by a giant lizard right where Sean’s grandfather had set multiple swinging log devices. That’s not luck that is some bullshit levels of screenwriting laziness. • They come across something called the Dakkar Grotto and Sean states “The resting place of Captain Nemo. Legend has it his crew buried him there.” And what legend is that? In Verne’s book, we are told that the Nautilus sailed the oceans of the world until all its crew except Nemo had died, it was then that Nemo retired to the island, alone, and at the end of the book, the Nautilus was scuttled to serve as Captain Nemo’s tomb. • Gold flakes rain down on our heroes, caused by the nearby erupting volcano, which apparently contains massive gold deposits, and thus Sean states “That must be the treasure that Robert Louis Stevenson was talking about in Treasure Island.” Once again I ask, what the fuck book was he reading? Stevenson was writing about pirate treasure, for Christ’s sake, not gold spewing volcanoes. • I’m fine with taking liberties with the look of Captain Nemo’s submarine but the Nautilus not only looks nothing like Verne version but the writers outfitted it with bloody torpedoes. Seriously, did anyone involve with this project even open a book? For one, the Nautilus rammed enemy ships it did not blow them up.

This looks more like an underwater craft that Jar Jar Binks would pilot.

I’m all four fun rip-roaring adventure films but director Brad Peyton and screenwriters Brian and Mark Gunn clearly had no respect for the source material, with characters at multiple times supposedly quoting information from a book when in actual fact they are just pulling stuff out of their collective assess. Any fan of Jules Verne watching this movie would be endangered of losing their eyesight with the number of times the script will cause you to roll your eyes in disbelief, and even if you set aside the film’s bastardization of the source material you’re still dealing with some fairly unlikable people on this particular adventure. Sean in this movie is a petulant jerk and all the “teenage angst” in the world cannot excuse his behaviour here, then we have Dwayne Johnson, who is one of the most charismatic people in the world, yet he and Michael Caine’s character get into a pissing match the second they meet for no possible reason. Then we have the father/daughter team consisting of Luis Guzmán and Vanessa Hudgens who are stuck in this thing simply to provide some bad comic relief and a possible love interest for Sean.

“Dad, can we go out on our own adventure and leave these asshats behind?”

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012)

• Movie Rank - 5.5/10 5.5/10

Dwayne Johnson was the perfect choice to fill the shoes of absent Brendan Fraser but the nonsensical mess they called a screenplay constantly undercut much of the fun that the film was trying to instill.

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Screen Rant

'journey 2: the mysterious island' review.

On the whole, Journey 2 is just a fun ride from beginning to end.

On the whole,  Journey 2  is just a fun ride from beginning to end.

In this sequel to Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D , we catch up with young Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson), now a bit older and getting into all kinds of mischief. Sean's mom (Kristin Davis) and step-dad Hank (Dwayne Johnson) try to pry the reason for his bad behavior out of the recalcitrant teen, and Hank finally manages to get the answer: Sean is trying to piece together the mystery of his missing grandfather, Alexander Anderson (Michael Caine), who went searching for a mysterious island of legend.

Working together, Sean and Hank decode a message from Alexander based on the famous adventure tales of Jules Verne, Robert Lewis Stevenson and Jonathan Swift. Sean immediately sets his sights on the island of Palau, the next step to locating his grandfather, and Hank - trying to bond with the boy and/or exhaust his curiosity - decides to chaperone the journey.

In Palau, Hank and Sean meet Helicopter tour guide Gabato (Luis Guzmán) and his daughter Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) - who is pretty enough to make Sean risk a flight on her rusted copter into the eye of a hurricane that just so happens to hide the entrance to the mysterious island. Once they are (crash-)landed on the island, the party sets out to find Alexander - and then, find passage off of the mystical land mass before it sinks back into the sea, taking them with it.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island  is one of those "good for what it is" films - and what it is, is a light-hearted, family-friendly adventure film in the vein of  Goonies  or  Honey I Shrunk the Kids  (only not that good). The film is filled with cheesy dialogue and jokes, one-dimensional characters and an overdone plot that offers just a few notes of genuine heart or drama - but none of that really matters in this context. Kids will have fun with the material, and the adults accompanying them will be reasonably entertained as well.

Director Brad Peyton ( Cats & Dogs 2 ) crafts a suitable visual experience via some nice tropical locales and striking (but obvious) green-screen and CGI effects. Journey 2  is not likely to win any technical awards - but again, in the context of a kids' film, the visuals are sufficient. The 3D certainly adds to the fun - though it's more often than not used in that pop-out, 'in-your-face' manner meant to capture the fleeting attention of youngsters. But, to be fair, any movie that spends time showcasing The Rock bouncing CGI berries off of his pecs is just out to have a good time, rather than impress with its technical prowess.

Of course, all the silliness would be too much if not for the cast of actors who manage to ground it, and Dwayne Johnson and Michael Caine are two of the main reasons why this film works as effectively as it does. Both are great leading men in their own right, and the contentious relationship between Hank and Alexander (as Sean's competing paternal figures) creates some great banter, which are probably the movie's best moments.

Josh Hutcherson has become something of a bigger name since his first  Journey  film, but he does a good job holding the screen and potraying a somewhat layered protagonist - good qualities in a young lead. Hutcherson's chemistry with Johnson is also strong, and certain moments between Sean and Hank even manage to be somewhat moving as the film progresses.

Hudgens doesn't offer much except her pretty face (not that she's required to) and Guzmán gets the task of playing the irritating comic relief character - which he is certainly successful(?) in doing.

On the whole,  Journey 2  is just a fun ride from beginning to end. It's not a piece of classic cinema by any means, but between some great set pieces, a healthy mix of non-threatening action, (chessy) kid-friendly comedy, and some likable leading performers, you can easily set this Journey above the one that proceeded it.

BONUS: Journey 2 also includes a new 3D CGI Looney Tunes short featuring Daffy Duck and Elmer Fudd. It's a different look for Looney Tunes, featuring some new voices behind the iconic characters and a spastic, hyper-kinetic pace - but the young'uns should enjoy. Although, it is a little unsettling to end an animated short on an image of a 3D shotgun pointed in the face of a young audience. But I digress.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island  is now playing in 2D and 3D theaters.

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The Mysterious island Map: Journey 2 the Mysterious Island

• Thread starter Riddler13185
• Start date May 9, 2014

Riddler13185

• May 9, 2014

• Jun 15, 2014

I don't know if this is any help but it kind of looks like the original mysterious island from the jules verne novel - http://i.imgur.com/xXaL6hA.jpg  

• Apr 4, 2017

The original Mysterious Island map is only 1 of the 3 maps used to create the final product. The other 2 are Treasure Island and one the islands of Gulliver's Travels.  

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Where was Journey 2: The Mysterious Island filmed?

City locations.

K'a'awa (USA), O'ahu (USA), New York (USA), Wilmington (USA)

Location Types

Ranch, Film Studio, Unusual

Location Styles

Beachfront, Tropical, Muscle, Helicopter Style, Sail

About Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is an exciting and thrilling adventure movie that follows the story of Sean Anderson, a teenager who teams up with his mom’s husband in order to find his missing grandfather on a mythical island. In their search, they embark on a mesmerizing journey filled with unexpected twists and turns that take them across breathtaking landscapes and unimaginable creatures.

Along the way, they also face trying circumstances that call for courage, problem-solving, and collaboration. The mysterious island they find themselves on proves to be full of surprises as they discover secrets that help them make it out alive.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island features a star-studded cast including Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Luis Guzmán, Michael Caine, Vanessa Hudgens, and Kristin Davis. It’s the follow-up to Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008), which was written by Richard Outten, Brian Gunn, and Mark Gunn.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island Locations

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island was primarily filmed in Honolulu, Hawaii, home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. The picturesque coasts and sweeping landscapes of Oahu provided an awe-inspiring backdrop for the film's scenes. From Diamond Head to Hanauma Bay, Honolulu is a perfect place to bring classic literature, like Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth, to life onscreen. With its lush jungles and majestic waterfalls, viewers can practically feel as if they are part of the adventure.

A trip to visit locations from Journey 2: The Mysterious Island would be worthwhile for any fan of the film or avid explorer. From Waimanalo Beach Park where much of the movie was shot, to Nuuanu Pali Lookout which served as a breathtakingly beautiful backdrop for several scenes; there are plenty of sights and activities that will transport visitors back into the movie's setting.

Other popular filming locations include Laie Point State Wayside Park and Kualoa Ranch, both of which have appeared in other movies and television shows due to their stunning views. No matter what kind of traveler you might be, a visit to Oahu will be sure to impress you with its diverse landscape and rich culture, all captured beautifully in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island.

An interesting fact about this movie is that it contains various elements from other Jules Verne works including Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea (1870) and Around The World In Eighty Days (1873). Moreover, there are references to other famous works like King Kong (1933), Star Trek (1966), and Clash Of The Titans (1981). By blending these references into one fantastic journey full of imagination and excitement, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is indeed an amazing cinematic experience!

Sean is arrested scene in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

New York City, New York, USA

Seventeen-year-old Sean Anderson (Josh Hutcherson), four years after his journey to the center of the earth, finds himself arrested for illegally accessing a satellite control center. He hopes to amplify a coded signal that may have originated from his grandfather, Alexander Anderson (Michael Caine), who has been missing for a long time.

Sean's new stepfather, Hank Parsons (Dwayne Johnson), tries to establish a connection with him by assisting in decoding the signal. This effort leads them to three books, namely, Gulliver's Travels, Treasure Island, and Jules Verne's Mysterious Island.

Situated on the east coast of the United States, New York City, also known as the Big Apple, is among the world's most iconic cities. It is also known as The Empire State and is celebrated for its rich culture, diversity, and history. The city currently houses more than 8 million inhabitants.

Amongst its numerous prominent landmarks is the Statue of Liberty, which France gifted the city as a symbol of democracy and liberty. The Empire State Building is another well-known structure, an imposing skyscraper that provides breathtaking views of the city from its observation deck.

Driving to New York is an option from nearby cities, with several highways that provide convenient access to the city. However, traffic congestion can be heavy at times, specifically during rush hour.

Another way to get to NYC is via train. Amtrak provides train service from other major cities in the United States, with the main train station being Penn Station, situated in Manhattan. Additionally, there are also regional train services including Metro-North Railroad and Long Island Rail Road.

Helicopter scene in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Waimea Bay Beach Park, 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy, Haleiwa, HI 96712, United States

Sean, his stepfather Hank, and helicopter pilot Gabato (Luis Guzmán) search for a way to reach the mysterious island. As the trio explores the area, they come across a stunning waterfall that flows into a lagoon. Hank quickly realizes that the waterfall can power their helicopter, which is low on fuel. After charging the helicopter's battery, they continue with their journey.

Located on the North Shore of Oahu in Hawaii, Waimea Bay Beach Park is a truly stunning destination renowned for its crystal-clear waters, golden sand, and world-famous surfing competitions. Nestled amidst lush greenery, this beach park provides a tranquil and serene environment perfect for visitors seeking to revel in the beauty of Hawaii.

It's a popular spot for tourists and locals alike, offering a plethora of recreational activities and breathtaking natural scenery. Aside from surfing, visitors can relish other activities at Waimea Bay Beach Park such as swimming and snorkeling in clear waters teeming with marine life, hiking, picnicking, and sunbathing.

If you have a rental car or your vehicle, you can drive to 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy. Take the H-2 freeway north from Honolulu to Wahiawa and follow the signs to Kamehameha Highway. Turn left on Kamehameha Highway and continue for approximately 15 miles until you reach 61-31 Kamehameha Hwy in Haleiwa.

Riding through the lush forests scene in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Kualoa Ranch, 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy, Kaneohe, HI 96744, United States

Sean, his stepfather, and pilot Gabato ride ATVs across the stunning landscape of Kualoa Ranch. As they navigate the lush forests and grassy plains, they come across a beautiful waterfall that Sean believes will lead them to the mysterious island they are searching for. They quickly dismount their ATVs and set off on foot, trekking through the jungle and climbing up steep cliffs.

Kualoa Ranch is a 4,000-acre private nature reserve situated on the northeastern side of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The ranch is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering numerous recreational activities and stunning natural scenery.

The ranch has been owned by the same family for over 160 years, and it’s served as a filming location for many popular movies and TV shows, including Jurassic Park, Lost, and Hawaii Five-O. Visitors can take guided tours of the ranch to see the filming locations and learn more about the rich history of the area.

If you have a rental car or your own vehicle, drive to 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy. Take the H-3 freeway east from Honolulu to Kaneohe and follow the signs to Kamehameha Highway. Turn right on Kamehameha Highway and continue for approximately 5 miles until you reach 49-560 Kamehameha Hwy.

Discovering the Island scene in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

EUE/Screen Gems Studios, 1223 N 23rd St, Wilmington, NC 28405, United States

Sean, his stepfather, and their guide Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens) explore the island's mysteries. They are taken aback by the realization that the miniature elephants, which belong to the prehistoric Dwarf Sicilian Elephant species, coexist with giant butterflies, resulting in a significant contrast in animal sizes.

They stumble upon a clutch of eggs, but things get out of hand when Gabato unwittingly disturbs a massive frilled lizard, which gives chase and pursues them through the jungle.

EUE/Screen Gems Studios is a state-of-the-art film and television production facility located in Wilmington, North Carolina. The studio complex covers over 150 acres and includes more than 10 sound stages, numerous production offices, and post-production facilities.

Since opening its doors in 1984, EUE/Screen Gems Studios has played a vital role in the film and television industry, serving as a production hub for numerous blockbuster films and hit TV shows. The studio has been involved in the production of over 400 feature films, including Iron Man 3, The Conjuring, and A Walk to Remember, among many others.

If you are driving from downtown Wilmington, take N. 3rd Street towards the north for approximately 2 miles. Then, turn left onto N. 23rd Street and continue for about one mile. You will find 1223 N. 23rd Street on your left.

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is an exciting action-adventure movie that follows Sean Anderson and his family as they embark on an epic quest to find Sean's grandfather. Filmed in two stunning locations, Honolulu, USA, and Oahu, Hawai'i, the movie showcases breathtaking visuals, from lush jungles to sandy beaches.

Along the way, the Andersons encounter a range of mysterious creatures, from giant lizards to a swarm of bees with metal stingers. Despite numerous obstacles thrown their way, they eventually reach the mystical island and discover a hidden world teeming with new life forms.

The movie serves as an incredible reminder that there are still many unexplored places on our planet that hold undiscovered secrets and wonders. With its thrilling action sequences and captivating visuals, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a great watch for anyone looking for an unforgettable journey!

Den of Geek

Journey 2: The Mysterious Island review

The pecs of The Rock and Michael Caine riding a giant insect are but two reasons to see the really enjoyable Journey 2: The Mysterious Island...

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Animated movies have always been a constant source of entertainment for both children and adults alike, going from strength to strength over the past decade or two, in no small part due to Pixar.

Thanks to the incredibly high bar set by them, other studios have raised their game, resulting in such recent gems as Despicable Me , How to Train Your Dragon and Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs .Each provides a really good balance of humour and excitement, for pretty much all ages.

Live action movies aimed at a younger generation, though, have fared less well over the years, proving to be utterly predictable in terms of quality, with adventure stories even more so. Just look at the awful Will Ferrell version of Land Of The Lost , or even the predecessor to Journey 2 , the forgettable Journey To The Center Of The Earth , which starred Brendan Fraser back in 2008. In most cases juvenile humour takes centre stage, with a total lack of wit, or anything approaching ingenuity sadly absent.

Thankfully, then, Journey 2 is an absolute blast, proving that one man’s pecs and a knighted, British legend on the back of a giant insect really can be the making of an entire film.

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The plot is brutally efficient, as Journey 2 races through its ninety-minute runtime at speed. It starts with a motorbike chase, as the now teenage form of actor Josh Hutcherson appears, returning as Sean Anderson (the only character kept on from the original as far as I can remember), is on the run from the police. Within minutes we’ve established that Sean’s suffering from being a near intolerable teenager, with a step-father, Hank, in the large shape of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, who Sean resents for being nice to him (seriously, who wouldn’t want The Rock as a step-dad?). Furthermore, Sean is  hell bent on finding his missing grandfather.

Soon a bonding adventure is under way between the estranged pair, after a quick bit of map puzzling and riddle solving, as they seek out the Mysterious Island, picking up a Looney Tunes pilot (Luis Guzman) and his teen hormone igniting daughter (Vanessa Hudgens, who has little to do aside from delivering some fairly clunky dialogue and providing a little love interest). So far, so predictable, and in truth, the film continues along a well worn route.

But sometimes a film makes no bones about its lack of originality, it just chooses to make the journey itself as entertaining and slick as possible. In this case, it also takes great pleasure in referencing its Jules Verne origins, as well as Indiana Jones, along the way.

Take Guzman’s character, Gabby, who fills the role of comedic idiot (in this case bordering on total mental deficiency). He’s there to nothing more than make noises and panic, to amuse younger children. At first, the overacting seemed too out of control, yet as the film progresses and his adoration of Hank becomes slightly more homo-erotic, I found myself chuckling along. Inno small part, I’m sure, because I’d almost certainly act the same way in the presence of The Rock.

And it’s the humour in Journey 2 that’s really the making of the film, with the more outlandish elements just adding to its enjoyment.

I found myself laughing throughout the entire movie, especially during the surreal sight of Sir Michael Caine atop a giant bee, or consistently facing off against the might of Johnson. In fact, despite Caine’s clear desire to pay for an extension to his house, he does seem to have fun with the role, and more surprisingly has a proper part for the duration of the movie. I was perfectly prepared for a brief cameo at the end.

Still, if there’s one reason to watch this film, it’s the big man himself.

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Dwayne Johnson has always kept one hand in the kids movie jar, regardless of how many times it’s been shut on his fingers, yet I admire his tenacity and ability to walk from the extreme gory violence of Doom , straight into the super sugary world of Hannah Montana. Don’t get me wrong, I was the first person to rejoice when his involvement in both Faster and Fast Five were announced, and if I had my way he’d be confined only to action movies.

Yet maybe that’s a little selfish – surely every generation deserves some of The Rock in their lives? I’m almost certain that there’s a mathematical equation for how much better he makes a movie, just by appearing, he even proved a bright spot in the otherwise wonky You Again .

The man just radiates charisma with an uncanny ease and charm, which makes him a much more suitable fit for both adult action movies and children’s entertainment, unlike some of his predecessors. What’s more, his comic timing simply shines in Journey 2 . For anyone, like me, who mostly wants to see the film off as a Johnson completist, there are some truly great moments.

Have you ever wondered what paternal advice from The Rock about relationships would be like? Wonder no more, as the hysterical sight of cherry bouncing, pec flexes in full 3D reveal all. Ever wanted to see the big man play a ukulele while singing? Done. In fact stay for the end credits and you’ll get even more of him singing, all to the backing of a big band. It’s a sound so glorious I may have to take a pregnancy test in the morning.

Even the 3D was an unexpected delight, providing plenty of theme park style moments to the effects, though scenes might prove a little too intense for the very young, as giant eels, spiders and lizards all make an appearance.

Despite the odd scare though kids should love it, with adults having plenty of surreal moments of inspired lunacy to keep them amused. And Journey 2 ? Against what you might be expecting, it turns out to be a visually rich and thoroughly entertaining ride.

Duncan Bowles | @duncanbowles

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