Journey 2: The Mysterious Island

Dwayne Johnson, Josh Hutcherson, Vanessa Hudgens, Michael Cain, Luis Guzman

Directed by Brad Peyton

Rating: B

Having to pick up your life and start it somewhere new is never easy. Sean (Hutcherson) has a new step-father he would rather not take the time to know and a mission to accomplish. Sean is looking for a new journey and when he hears an encrypted message play over the radio waves, only his step-dad, Hank (Johnson), can help him out. The message is from Sean's grandfather who has disappeared for years and Hank agrees to let Sean go find him if he can come along. Reluctantly, he agrees and the two embark on a mission in addition with a pilot and his daughter to a mysterious island where things are not as they appear.

"Journey 2" brings new adventures and a mysterious island that is on the brink of going under water. I think this sequel pulled it off well and kept the excitement alive of watching the main characters find an uncharted island. While the characters may have some cheesy lines, like Hutcherson trying to impress the pilot's daughter and Johnson making his pecks 'dance', the movie has a decent plot to keep it interesting.

It might be necessary to watch "Journey to the Center of the Earth" before watching the sequel because there are a few moments that make you wonder what you missed. Sean repeatedly mentions how the men in his family don't stick around and it's been a while since I last saw the first movie. I can't remember what happened to the father and it's mentioned that the grandfather has always been searching for an adventure rather than being there for his family.

This sequel brings along new scenery, new animals (large animals are small and small animals are large!), and a volcano that erupts gold. The characters are put in danger and take to flying bees to reach their destination. "Journey 2" is not just a movie for children, but for those who are fans of classic literature like "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" or "Gulliver's Travels". This film brings a different kind of thrill that you can't get from repeated plots such as the over-done vampire movies or action films. I would recommend giving this movie a try if you can handle some cheesy lines and enjoy lost continents (Atlantis!).

The Dark Knight

Christian Bale, Michael Cain, Heath Ledger, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Aaron Eckhart, Gary Oldman

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Rating: A-

After Wayne (Bale)'s home was destroyed in the Batman Begins, he takes up residence in a penthouse in Gotham City. Gotham's thugs are too afraid to discuss business at night, hiding away in the daylight from the vigilante. Harvey Dent (Eckhart) is Gotham's needed hero and Wayne starts to believe the city does not need Batman soon. Dent has been locking criminals and keeping Gotham's streets clean. However, one force comes in to play: the Joker (Ledger). The Joker has no rules but his twisted mind brings the city into chaos. Batman is up against one of his toughest villains yet and learns that he has can't always be the hero.

Another masterpiece by Nolan, The Dark Knight continues to thrill audiences. It's a refresher to see a sequel that does not disappoint. There are many factors that make this sequel amazing: Heath Ledger as the Joker. Ledger immersed himself in the role so deeply that viewers could believe he became the Joker. From the creepy laugh to his twisted mind, the Joker becomes one of the audiences favorite villains.

Then there's Harvey Dent. Dent is a symbol of hope not only for Gotham City but for Bruce Wayne as well. Wayne hopes that Dent's keeping Gotham City clear of criminals will allow Batman to retire. The only problem is Dent's vulnerability to being corrupted by the Joker. Shocking events turn Dent from a hero to an angry victim.

Bruce Wayne has his own ethics to abide by. While the Joker has none, Batman faces his toughest challenge yet while seeing how long he can endure watching the city burn. Wayne is trying to be the hero Gotham needs, only after the destruction the Joker left behind, he has to flee the city.

The Dark Knight leaves audiences wanting more. Nolan does another great job keeping viewers anticipating the return, and end, of Batman in 2012's The Dark Knight Rises.

Batman Begins

Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Michael Cain, Katie Holmes, Cillian Murphy, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Rating: A-

The first of the Batman trilogy, Batman Begins pulls you in to the secret life of Bruce Wayne (Bale). Upon being released from a prison in Asia Henri Ducard (Neeson) goes to speak to Wayne, convincing him to train  to fight against evil. Wayne goes home to Gotham to find it in the same thug-controlled environment he left it in. Dr. Crane (Murphy) is working with villain Ra's Al Ghul to take over Gotham with an intoxicating hallucinogen. Lucius Fox (Freeman) works at Wayne Enterprises and helps order material for Wayne to use as Batman. However, Wayne has to use his millionaire persona to dissuade people from getting any notion that he is the masked vigilante "Batman".

Christopher Nolan is a mastermind at making movies. From Memento to Inception to the Batman trilogy, Nolan has audiences flocking to the theaters to see his latest hit film. What makes these films brilliant is not only the choice of cast, the acting believability, but the intricate plot that has the mind spinning. What makes Batman Begins so good is how viewers get to see what makes Batman tick. Wayne lost his parents to a mugger who took their lives outside of an opera. Wayne never kills his enemies; murder is the last thing he wants to do. All Wayne wants is justice and to clean up the city his father tried to build.

Batman Begins is a movie for all audiences in general. Not that parents would take their five-year-old to see this but it's safe enough for an eight or ten year old to see. After watching this movie, viewers begin to anticipate the next two movies and the sequel The Dark Knight does not disappoint.