lion family journey to the center of the earth

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Journey to the center of the earth (2008), common sense media reviewers.

Formulaic-but-exciting family action-adventurer.

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Kids learn about Jules Verne and his novel Journey

Working together through adversity, a shattered fa

Hannah is no damsels in distress, but a woman clea

Somewhat violent but not gory scenes of carnivorou

Two sweet kisses.

The word "schist" is used as a replaceme

A fair amount, including mentions of Mountain Dew,

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…

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.

Positive Messages

Working together through adversity, a shattered family becomes close, finds hope, love, and continues the work of Sean's lost father.

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.

Violence & Scariness

Somewhat violent but not gory scenes of carnivorous plants attacking humans, dinosaurs feasting on anything that moves, and flying fish on a rampage.

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Violence & Scariness in your kid's entertainment guide.

Sex, Romance & Nudity

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.

The word "schist" is used as a replacement for "s--t."

Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Language in your kid's entertainment guide.

Products & Purchases

A fair amount, including mentions of Mountain Dew, PSP, and The Family Guy , plus signage for Iceland Air.

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. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails .

Where to Watch

Videos and photos.

Community Reviews

• Parents say (15)
• Kids say (37)

Based on 15 parent reviews

Terrifc Fun For Whole Family

What's the story.

Ever since his brother, Max, disappeared in Iceland a decade ago, scientist Trevor Anderson ( Brendan Fraser ) has slowly watched the laboratory they built together slide into obscurity. He's lost his passion for teaching, and on top of everything, he's supposed to care for his estranged nephew, Sean ( Josh Hutcherson ), for 10 days -- after not seeing him for years. While going through Max's personal effects with Sean, Trevor discovers clues that could explain his brother's mysterious disappearance. With the help of mountain guide Hannah (Anita Briem), the two set off to retrace Max's steps, only to unwittingly embark on a journey unlike any other.

Is It Any Good?

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH touts itself as being the first digital 3-D feature, and there are moments when the investment seems to pay off. When the dinosaur looms over you, it definitely looms . But for the most part, there simply aren't enough scenes in which the technology appreciably makes a contribution. Which isn't to say that the special effects aren't fantastic -- they are. They'll keep audiences, especially the young viewers the movie seems targeted to, on the edge of their seats. And the world depicted is indeed fantastical -- perfectly Vernian.

The lead actors exhibit a wonderful rapport. It's a good thing: They're pretty much together for two-thirds of the movie. Briem is especially good; earnest but not saccharine. And Hutcherson, from Bridge to Terabithia , continues to impress. But the dialog is stilted, especially in the beginning, and the eventual bonding between Trevor and Sean seems forced. Why not skip the rote setup and just jump into the action instead?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

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?

Movie Details

• In theaters : July 11, 2008
• On DVD or streaming : October 27, 2008
• Cast : Anita Briem , Brendan Fraser , Josh Hutcherson
• Director : Eric Brevig
• Studio : New Line
• Genre : Action/Adventure
• Topics : Magic and Fantasy , Adventures , Book Characters
• Run time : 89 minutes
• MPAA rating : PG
• MPAA explanation : intense adventure action and some scary moments.
• Last updated : September 10, 2023

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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Our editors recommend.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea

Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959)

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Trevor Anderson

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Occupation: Scientists

Trevor Anderson is the main protagonist from Journey to the Center of the Earth . He is portrayed by Brendan Fraser. He loves his family and carries the family name Anderson in the first movie. In Journey 2: The Mysterious Island , his nephew  Sean carries the family name Anderson.

He was first seen chasing Max Anderson, Trevor Anderson and Sean Anderson's father, in his caverns. Max wasn't Hannah Asgeirsson's father. A fiery earthquake begins during the chase. Max then falls to his death yelling "TREVOR!". But this was only Trevor's nightmare. He dosen't appear in the rest of the movie until the other chase.

He then gets his fish to attack Trevor, Hannah, and Sean. But they were eaten by a group of Elasmosaurus.

Next, after Hannah drank water, the dinosaur breathed life into his carnivorous plants. Trevor cuts off the head of a carnivorous plant. He then stabbed it. He then said "A large, carnivorous plant?". Then another carnivorous plant almost strangles Hannah to her death. It then roared. It took the staff that Trevor held. He grabed another of those. He punches it, killing it, and its slime was on his left hand. Last, he pulls the last plant's roots, killing it and saving Hannah. The last plant surviving, was killed by Trevor doing backhand. Now the Giganotosaurus was really angry. He rushed into his rocky caverns and waited. Sean then came across a boneyard, heard ghostly noises, and ran. Then he hid behind a rock, and looked around, hoping that whatever it was that was chasing him was gone. And then all of a sudden out of nowhere, something slimey fell down right on his feet. Sean then immediately realized, that it was in fact, right behind him. he looked up, and saw this 80 foot long prehistoric monster!

After drooling on Sean’s face, he then tried to kill Sean, and broke an arch with his massively powerful head. He even trapped Sean in a small crevase. Trevor eventually saves him, and both were heading for the geyser. However, the evil dinosaur still chased them. He then accidentally ran on some muscovite, a type of rock. He then falls into magma.

Then, the lava went higher and hotter, proving that the Albino Giganotosaurus was still alive. Offscreen, he tries to kill Trevor, Sean and Hannah in the lava. But his plan backfired. Trevor blew up the wall and water was going to the lava. The Albino Giganotosaurus was really really mad now. But lava finally destroyed him and hopefully, forever.

QUOTES: “This was your old mans PSP.”

“Bolivia, Mongolia, Hawaii.”

“It’s a good read”

“Hana? You knew that, right?”

“Hana, your track ends.”

“Don’t ask”

“Hanvunsflaah? I don’t know. No. What?”

“If you mean annoying, then yeah we’re there.”

“WHOA HEY no you don’t.”

“HANG ON...HANG ON...HANG ON” “STOP SAYING THAT.” “SORRY IT JUST KEEPS COMING TO MY MIND”

“Shaun. If your mom asks you were you’ve been, tell her I took you to Italy”

• Though he doesn't appear in Journey 2: The Mysterious Island , in a deleted scene he was mentioned by Sean that he went on an expedition.
• 1 Sean Anderson
• 2 Trevor Anderson
• 3 Albino Giganotosaurus

• Cast & crew
• User reviews

Journey to the Center of the Earth

An Edinburgh professor and assorted colleagues follow an explorer's trail down an extinct Icelandic volcano to the earth's center. An Edinburgh professor and assorted colleagues follow an explorer's trail down an extinct Icelandic volcano to the earth's center. An Edinburgh professor and assorted colleagues follow an explorer's trail down an extinct Icelandic volcano to the earth's center.

• Henry Levin
• Walter Reisch
• Charles Brackett
• Jules Verne
• James Mason
• Arlene Dahl
• 170 User reviews
• 72 Critic reviews
• 4 nominations total

• Sir Oliver S. Lindenbrook

• Alec McEwan

• Carla Göteborg

• Jenny Lindenbrook

• Count Saknussemm

• Hans Belker

• (uncredited)

• Prof. Bayle
• News Vendor

• Scots Newsman

• All cast & crew
• Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

More like this

Did you know

• Trivia James Mason reportedly had very little patience with Arlene Dahl 's "movie star" preening. Their relationship off-screen was very much like their relationship on- screen.
• Goofs (at around 21 mins) Early in the movie, Oliver Lindenbrook speaks of the "stars and galaxies of outer space." In the 1880s, however, our Milky Way galaxy was believed to constitute the entire universe. Knowledge that other galaxies exist beyond our own did not come about till the 1920s. Thus a man of the 1880s would not use the word "galaxy" in its plural form.

Sir Oliver Lindenbrook : Are we to be abducted every day in Iceland?

• Alternate versions In some European versions of the film, for example the Spanish dubbing, the "Prof of Geology's Song" was re-dubbed into the "Gaudeamus Igitur" song.
• Connections Edited into Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania (1999)
• Soundtracks My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose By Robert Burns Set to music by Jimmy Van Heusen (as James Van Heusen) Sung by Pat Boone

User reviews 170

• Jun 17, 2006
• How long is Journey to the Center of the Earth? Powered by Alexa
• December 1959 (United Kingdom)
• United States
• Put u srediste Zemlje
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park - 727 Carlsbad Caverns Highway, Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA (the center of the earth)
• Twentieth Century Fox
• Joseph M. Schenck Enterprises
• Cooga Mooga
• See more company credits at IMDbPro
• $3,440,000 (estimated)

Technical specs

• Runtime 2 hours 9 minutes

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Table of Contents

Journey to the Center of the Earth

An original and unabridged edition (annotated), publisher description.

From one of the best storytellers of all time comes this wonderful Sci-Fi classic, Journey to the Center of the Earth. Professor Lidenbrock and his nephew Axel stumble across an ancient rune or map that shows the way into the Earths core via the North Pole. Travel with the Professor into the subterranean world in this fantastical voyage from the master that brought you 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea and From the Earth to the Moon, Jules Verne! About the Book Jules Verne wrote the novel Journey to the Center of the Earth in 1864. It narrates the tale of a professor, his nephew, and their guide who go via an Icelandic volcano to reach the Earth's heart. The book delves into a number of scientific and imaginative ideas, such as the possibility of a hollow Earth, ancient animals, and geological structures. Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne, is a Classic Science Fiction Novel first published in France in 1867. A Look Inside “We are of opinion that instead of letting books grow moldy behind an iron grating, far from the vulgar gaze, it is better to let them wear out by being read.” “Science, my boy, is made up of mistakes, but they are mistakes which it is useful to make, because they lead little by little to the truth.” ― Jules Verne, Journey to the Center of the Earth A Stunning Reproduction At Last Chance Publishing, we take every step possible to ensure the original integrity of this book has been upheld to its highest standard. This means that the texts in this story are unedited and unchanged from the original authors publication, preserving its earliest form for your indulgence. This title is one of the best classic Sci-Fi books, of all time, words strung together with such romantic precision, a historical novel that you just do not see in the modern age. This title will make an excellent gift to the Jules Verne buff in your life or a fantastic addition to your current collection. We are ready to ship this book off to you today at lightning speed, so you will find yourself indulging in this title without delay. Books Specifics • 1867 Text • Classic Science Fiction Annotated Content • Historical Context • Detailed 19th Historical bullet pointed context

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