Inkheart **1/2

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Eliza Hope Bennett, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, Andy Serkis, Jim Broadbent, Sienna Guillory
Director: Iain Softley
Running Length: 1:46
MPAA Classification: PG

Mo Folchart (Fraser) and his daughter Meggie (Folchert) travel the world in search of the hard to find book “Inkheart”. He is a silvertongue, and when Meggie was younger, Mo read from the book and brought the story to life. But, when something comes out of the story, something, or someone, must take its place. In this case, it was his wife, Resa (guillory). They are chased by two characters from the book, the evil Capricorn (Serkis), who wants to rule the real world, and Dustfinger (Bettany), who just wants to go home. With the help of Mo’s Great Aunt Elinor (Mirren), they set out to find the author of the book (Broadbent) to set things right.

“Inkheart” could have been much better. The solid cast is there, and they all do credible jobs in their roles. The effects are there – they are as good as any special effects laden film of late. The problem lies in the story. Not that it is bad; one just gets the feeling that something was lost in the translation from book to film. I have been told that things have been changed, and I cannot help but think that they were for the worse. The ending itself suffers from what “Hellboy II” suffered from: a sense that things could have been resolved much earlier and easier given what resolves things. (Of course “Hellboy II” was a better film and able to overcome this problem.) If more movies are made in this series, the moviemakers need to tighten the story a little more and stay truer to the author’s original vision.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor **

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Jet Li, Maria Bello, John Hannah, Michelle Yeoh, Luke Ford, Isabella Leong
Director: Rob Cohen
Running Length: 1:51
MPAA Classification: PG-13

In ancient China, Emperor Han (Li) united the country. The only thing left for him to conquer was death. The witch Zi Juan (Yeoh) is said to have that power, but when Han kills her lover, she curses Han and his men turning them into stone. In 1947, Alex O’Connell (Ford) discovers their tomb. Soon, the forces looking to return Han to power are able to revive him and his army. Now, Alex, with the help of his parents Rick (Fraser) and Evelyn (Bello) must stop Han from becoming immortal and return him to his grave.

It has been seven years since “The Mummy Returns”, and that is too long for the O’Connells. One could even argue that a third movie was never necessary, even five years ago, as “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” were a complete story. This time around, Alex has been aged into his 20’s and looks too old to be Brendan Fraser’s son. The recasting of Evelyn also makes her appear older than Rick. Maria Bello is a solid actress, but she is out of her element here, and it shows. She is better than this silly movie, and should shy away from any possible sequels. The story is weak, lacking the charm of the first two. If you have to see this, wait until it is out on DVD.

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D **

Cast: Brendan Fraser, Josh Hutcherson, Anita Briem
Director: Eric Brevig
Running Length: 1:32
MPAA Classification: PG

Professor Trevor Anderson (Fraser) believes that the tale told by Jules Verne in “Journey to the Center of the Earth” is a true story. When the opportunity arises, he, his nephew Sean (Hutcherson), and guide Hannah (Briem) set out on the path in Iceland set forth in the book. Misfortune sends them down a tunnel to the center of the Earth, where the find a world of man-eating plants and dinosaurs. Soon, the rising heat of the underworld necessitates that they find an escape route before being burned up. Along the way, Trevor and Sean, who aren’t close, develop a bond, and Trevor and Hannah feel sparks begin to fly.

“Journey” is the first live-action film to use the new 3-D technology that has been used for animated films. In fact, the movie is just an excuse to show off what can be accomplished in 3-D now. The story is thin and the acting is not strong. But, the film sure does look nice. The 3-D is crisp and clear. If this is a movie you want to see, be sure to see the 3-D version, and not the 2-D version. Young kids will most like be the most entertained here.