With all the incredibly realistic CGI created landscapes and settings we've seen in movies these last couple of years ("Avatar," "Thor"), it becomes a challenge to equal or exceed state-of-the-art standards. In "Journey 2: The Mysterious Island," forget about exceeding it or, even, equaling it. What may once have been impressive fantasy world designs, in this movie, it's as though they were done by last year's class. Very good, at times, like the rampaging giant lizard and her eggs, but not so good for the postcard panoramas where compromises are evident.

Taking a ride on the successes of athlete-turned actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's travel adventure movies like the 2008 hit "Journey to the Center of the Earth" (of which this is the sequel with Johnson replacing Brendan Fraser) and "Anaconda," "Journey 2" ups the ante with 3-D realism. That, of course, is as far as realism goes and anyone looking for it is well advised to pick another ticket at the multiplex.

In the flow of concepts created for Johnson's excellent journey to the South Pacific, there seems to be something for every demographic the film hopes to beckon into its Jules Verne/Robert Stevenson/Jonathan Swift fantasy about an island that appears on no single map. Both son and potential father purport to have a keen interest in it.

Put all the hints together with a pilot and a daughter of a Palau helicopter enterprise to get them to that island and you have the framework for something that's all but guaranteed to give your pre-teens a kick. As for the rest of us, well, besides that humongous mother lizard there are plenty of attractions, like gold ash raining down from a volcano, cute and delightful miniature elephants, big bees that you can ride, a very special submarine, unpleasant electric eels that are live energy generators, and more. Sounds like a carnival, eh?

Sean (Josh Hutcherson reprising his role in "Journey to the Center of the Earth") isn't thinking about girls just yet in his 17-year old life. His mind is on travel and adventure while dissing Hank Parsons, his widowed (in "Journey...") mother's (Kristen Davis) live-in intended -- on the basis that he has no use for a male role-model and step-father wannabe trying to take the place of his father. He doesn't even grant Hank credit for saving him from jail time for a stupid infraction.

A measure of detente is reached when Hank not only professes the same interest in Jules Verne and company as Josh's but helps him decode a message from Josh's grandfather who lives on the mysterious island of ancient yore. (Hank was a Navy codebreaker, so it's pretty easy). Which brings mom's patently false approval when Hank shows up with two tickets to Palau where Josh is thrown into the companionship of a girl. But, she's only a part of the fabulous adventure.

The girl, Kailani (Vanessa Hudgens, "Sucker Punch"), is the no-nonsense daughter of Gabato (Luis Guzman, "Arthur"), the adventurers' ticket to the island via his helicopter, the only man who will entertain coming close to an uncharted island with so many stories mythologies about sailors lost by trying to reach it. For a fee, of course. Like $3k, which Kailani negotiates from a position of "take it or leave it."

The trip is eventful. So much so that Gabato loses his aircraft in a maelstrom. Not to worry, though. Once they've landed, grandpop Alexander (the estimable Michael Caine of "Inception" in hunter's regalia) will be the faithful guide into the diverse mysteries, delights and constant dangers of this wonderland of a place.

Own it today! (Click on the link below for this and other versions) The Blu-ray Edition SPECIAL FEATURES: Introduction with Josh Hutcherson Alexander's Treehouse Lost City of Atlantis The Giant Flowers The Mushroom Forest The Golden Volcano The Lizard's Nest The Gigantic Bumble Bee Nemo's Tomb Nemo's Cave Nemo's Submarine Map Payoff Gag Reel Deleted Scenes The Soundtrack

Male bonding is the issue here and it's as predictable as hormonal harmony in the younger set. Safe to say that expectations will be met.

Johnson, who always comes off as a pretty game guy, maintains his strong presence as he puts his particular stamp on the film (which he co-produced), playing all the faux seriousness required of his character including a ukelele rendition of "What a Wonderful World" with a pleasant bass and treadmark modest demeanor. The only time he leans toward showing off his physical prowess is the game he plays by using his pecs like ping pong paddles with wild red berries. When death-defying action comes, he's all seriousness and always impressive, as are his biceps, even at rest. (Enter the teens and wrestling fans to the audience mix). But, while he has a knowing control over his role and the tenor of the film, his range is pretty much limited to such one-dimensional parts.

Jet-black-haired Hudgens plays darling and adorable with an edge of toughness -- a combo that will produce many a job offer; Guzman, a character actor who goes from villain to comedy with ease, completely satisfies the assignment as a greedy oportunist and loving father; Caine has seen better days but hasn't lost his taste or abilty for crowd pleasing moments; and, Hutcherson is pretty much all-boy approaching manhood having the time of his life.

Altogether a dose of romance and adventure from the regions of good intentions for the sake of airy entertainment. Director Brad Peyton uses the 3-D medium with a good sense of visual fun.

                                      ~~  Jules Brenner