In “The Journey to the Center of the Earth 2: The Mysterious Island,” 17-year-old Sean (Josh Hutcherson) embarks on a thrilling adventure four years after his initial journey. This time, he finds himself entangled in an elaborate mystery that leads him to a hidden world like no other. Directed by Brad Peyton, this drama-adventure film takes audiences on a captivating journey filled with twists and turns.
The story begins with Sean’s escapades, as he escapes from the clutches of the police by diving into a neighbor’s pool, triggering a trespassing case. His stepfather, Hank (Dwayne Johnson), steps in to handle the situation. It is revealed that Sean hacked into a satellite’s control system, hoping to enhance a signal code that he believes was sent by his long-lost grandfather, Alexander Anderson (Michael Caine). Sean’s mother, Liz (Kristin Davis), is unsure of how to handle her rebellious son.
Taking advantage of the situation, Hank, who wants to bond with his stepson, helps Sean decipher the code, which leads them to three books: “Treasure Island,” “Gulliver’s Travels,” and “Mysterious Island” by Jules Verne. By delving deeper into the codes, Hank discovers a set of coordinates that point to a mysterious location in the vast ocean.
Despite his mother’s initial resistance, Liz eventually allows Sean to accompany Hank on an adventure to the fabled Palau Island, the starting point of their journey to the mysterious island. However, reaching the coordinates provided by Verne proves to be a challenge. They struggle to find a ship willing to take them, eventually persuading a tour guide named Gabato (Luis Guzman) and his beautiful and exotic daughter, Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens), to join them for a hefty fee after a failed negotiation.
The high price is due to the dangerous nature of the destination, which no one else is willing to risk. Shortly after taking flight in a helicopter, disaster strikes as a Category 5 hurricane causes their aircraft to crash into the Pacific Ocean. Miraculously, they all survive the crash, but their helicopter is beyond repair, leaving them stranded on the supposedly nonexistent or fictional island.
They must now find a way to escape the treacherous island. As they explore their surroundings, they are astounded to witness animals transforming in size—jumbo animals shrinking and small creatures growing larger. Their amazement is short-lived when Gabato accidentally cracks open an egg belonging to a giant lizard, which begins to pursue them. In the nick of time, Sean’s grandfather, Alexander, appears and saves them all.
Sean is elated that his beliefs have been validated, and his grandfather leads them to his residence. With a functional radio, they learn that it will take two weeks before they can make a call due to satellite positioning. The following morning, Alexander leads the group to the lost city of Atlantis after calculating that the island will sink again in 70 years. Their only means of escape is by using Captain Nemo’s super submarine, named Nautilus. Kailani discovers a map inside the underground chamber where Captain Nemo died.
To reach the location of the Nautilus, they must travel to a cave on the cliffs of Poseidon. Opting to traverse a perilous island to save time rather than circling around, they embark on a grand adventure. They encounter giant bees, fend off aggressive birds, and navigate enormous spider webs.
In conclusion, “The Journey to the Center of the Earth 2: The Mysterious Island” takes audiences on an exhilarating adventure filled with suspense, loyalty, and discovery. As Sean, Hank, and the rest of their group face numerous challenges, they uncover the secrets of a hidden world, including the lost city of Atlantis. With stunning visuals and heartwarming moments, this film guarantees an unforgettable cinematic experience for all.
