This is a not-bad rendering of the Jules Verne classic.
For those who have read the book, the first thing noticed is the excision of the extensive "up-to-date" science that Verne often built into his stories. There is a scientist and his student and they do use a few terms appropriately (there really is a very dense rock known as peridotite and a chemical reagent called aqua regia) but beyond that it's pretty weak.
The expansion of romantic interests and inclusion of female protagonists were obviously necessary to make it a marketable film but it's a little bit distracting. Adding an evil character to complicate the journey would have irritated Verne, but it was useful in keeping the story interesting. On the other hand, the inter-species bromance between the guide and his duck was a little silly when the movie was made and a little creepy today. That they could have done without.
The journey itself was highly entertaining. The sets were very good and the special effects, though terribly dated by today's standards, were compelling. PETA would not approve of the lizard exploitation but it was a cost-effective way to put some monsters on screen.
It's a little incongruous to see the pious Pat Boone cast as beekcake. Stripping off his shirt and cutting off his pant legs to reveal a quite acceptable male body is something that Jerry Falwell would not have approved.
Is it great cinema? No, but it's a decent way to spend a couple of free hours for someone who likes to delve into an older sci-fi genre. Worth a look.
For those who have read the book, the first thing noticed is the excision of the extensive "up-to-date" science that Verne often built into his stories. There is a scientist and his student and they do use a few terms appropriately (there really is a very dense rock known as peridotite and a chemical reagent called aqua regia) but beyond that it's pretty weak.
The expansion of romantic interests and inclusion of female protagonists were obviously necessary to make it a marketable film but it's a little bit distracting. Adding an evil character to complicate the journey would have irritated Verne, but it was useful in keeping the story interesting. On the other hand, the inter-species bromance between the guide and his duck was a little silly when the movie was made and a little creepy today. That they could have done without.
The journey itself was highly entertaining. The sets were very good and the special effects, though terribly dated by today's standards, were compelling. PETA would not approve of the lizard exploitation but it was a cost-effective way to put some monsters on screen.
It's a little incongruous to see the pious Pat Boone cast as beekcake. Stripping off his shirt and cutting off his pant legs to reveal a quite acceptable male body is something that Jerry Falwell would not have approved.
Is it great cinema? No, but it's a decent way to spend a couple of free hours for someone who likes to delve into an older sci-fi genre. Worth a look.