Journey 2: The Mysterious Island
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.
Manuel Frangis reviewedMarch 26, 2025
I just watched Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and I give it 4 out of 5 stars. This sequel is definitely a fun ride. It leans even more into the fantasy adventure vibe, and while it is a little more goofy than the first one, it still delivers with awesome visuals, nonstop action, and that classic “lost world” feeling. It is a movie that knows exactly what it is and just goes for it.
Josh Hutcherson returns as Sean, and this time he is the one leading the journey. A coded message from his missing grandfather sets things off, and from there, it becomes another wild adventure—this time to a hidden island full of crazy creatures and natural wonders. Sean is more confident now and ready to take risks, and it is cool seeing him step into more of a lead role.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson joins the cast as Hank, Sean’s stepdad, and he brings a ton of energy and charm to the movie. He is strong, funny, and knows how to handle himself when things start falling apart. His banter with Sean gives the movie some fun back and forth, and you can tell he is having a good time in the role. One minute he is tossing jokes, the next he is wrestling a giant insect like it is nothing.
Luis Guzmán plays Gabato, the goofy helicopter pilot, and he brings a lot of the comic relief. Some of the jokes are hit or miss, but overall he adds to the fun vibe. Vanessa Hudgens plays Kailani, Gabato’s daughter, and she brings a confident, adventurous energy to the team. She does not just stand around—she climbs, runs, and takes charge when she needs to.
Michael Caine plays Sean’s grandfather, and even though he does not show up until later in the movie, he makes an impression right away. He is stubborn, smart, and kind of hilarious in the way he throws himself into danger like it is no big deal. Watching him and The Rock argue is honestly one of the most random and fun parts of the movie.
The island itself looks amazing. Everything is oversized or flipped around—tiny elephants, giant bees, flying fish, volcanoes erupting gold—it is like a theme park packed into one place. The visuals are bright and full of color, and the special effects hold up pretty well for a 2012 family movie. It is not meant to be realistic, and that is kind of the point. It is all about wonder and discovery.
The pacing is fast, and there is always something happening. Whether they are flying through storms, dodging giant creatures, or figuring out how to survive a sinking island, the movie never slows down for too long. There are also a few cool science facts thrown in that tie back to classic books like The Mysterious Island and Gulliver’s Travels, which was a nice touch.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars because while it is a blast, some of the humor feels forced and the story is a little predictable. It is not as grounded as the first one, but it still works as a fun, colorful adventure movie that the whole family can enjoy. Overall Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is a fun and action packed sequel that brings new energy and excitement while still staying true to the spirit of the first movie. I had a great time watching it and would not mind going back to this island again.