Coming out just before New Line Cinema's big budget 3D spectacular, Jules Verne's classic novel is again the inspiration for The Asylum's latest in a long line of sci-fi action films made on probably the catering budget of the afore mentioned film starring Brendan Fraser.

Having never read the original novel, one would assume that the story didn't feature a female army team and an American scientist and her estranged husband on a rescue mission to get the team back. However, we do get an entertaining if somewhat familiar (I will explain in a moment) fantasy film.

A crack army team comprising only of attractive females featuring all your handy stereotypes – the leader, the tough one and the science geek...you get the picture? – have somehow managed to get stranded in the centre of the earth after a transportation machine goes wrong. Head of the project, Joseph Harnet goes to his ex-wife and asks her to help retrieve the team using her latest invention. Greg "Tekwar'' Evigan and Dedee (Michelle's sister) Pfeiffer head to the centre of the earth to get the army team back, which conveniently have Pfeiffer's sister as head of the unit to create a bit of family drama.

Meanwhile back in the centre of the earth, the girls are pursued by a dinosaur which looks exactly the same as the one which rampaged through LA in 100 Million BC, also starring Evigan and a selection of rather large mutant spiders. The locations used for the film are exactly the same as Asylum's other release 100 Million BC, which is Belize and Southern California. I have no issues with any studio saving on the budget and shooting two films as the same time. It makes total economical sense and with two special effects technicians making their directorial debuts, why not let them run riot with a camera and have a ball, but don't release them so close together.

As mentioned above the film is entertaining, however the dinosaur CGI is quite poor, but again don't let it detract from the point of the film and that is to entertain. Evigan and Pfeiffer have a good chemistry and set design in particular the interiors of the drilling machine is very good and doesn't at all look low budget.

Presented in widescreen and shot using HD cameras, the photography in Journey to the Center of the Earth in Belize is once again used to great effect and the scenery is magnificent. The CGI effects at times aren't brilliant but the spiders work well and look fairly menacing.

Sound is in 5.1 and 2.0.  I watched the film with the 5.1 soundtrack and although the film is fairly front heavy with the sound, dialogue is clear and the LFE is used well in particular the chase sequences and the drilling machine.

Trailers of 100 Million BC, Allan Quartermain and the Temple of Skulls, Speed Racer, Journey to the Center of the Earth, War of the Worlds 2: The Next Wave.

Making the Journey (3:37)
A brief making-of featurette with the film's directors, star Greg Evigan and behind the scenes material.  Some nice footage showing the construction of the sets is shown as well.

Bloopers (1:57)
Footage mainly of the two leads but some bits and bobs containing the girls as well larking around on set.

Commentary
Honest and refreshing. The trials and tribulations of low budget film making as told by the two likeable directors who also were lead technicians on the effects.

The film isn't rated but I wouldn't let any kids watch it under 12 as it has a bit of swearing and a couple of gross moments, including a gruesome death for one the army girls. Pretty good brainless entertainment, but if you own 100 Million BC and this film then watch them a couple of weeks apart, as they are quite 'samey' due to the locations, script and some of the effects.