Journey 2
Valerie King
Director of Marketing and Business Development at Kualoa Ranch
Where and with whom did you see the movie?
I saw it at Ward Consolidated Theatres with my husband Chris and a good friend for a private screening.
So a lot of our employees were there.
Overall what did you think?
After watching the trailer, I wasn’t expecting something so comical and a little silly. I was surprised that it was so fun and entertaining.
There was not much substance, but sometimes I enjoy seeing the movie just for the sake of pure fantasy and leaving feeling good.
It was pretty entertaining.
On a scale of one to four stars, what would you rate this film?
I would say, for pure entertainment value, ★★★.
It exceeded my expectations.
Without giving away the ending, what was one of your favorite scenes?
For me, personally, I really enjoyed the unveiling of the Lost City. It was probably because it was filmed at Kualoa Ranch.
It was nice seeing the set unveiled on the big screen. The reveal was pretty exciting.
What did you think of the cinematography?
I’m not a big 3-D fan, but I would say that it has definitely improved. It was a lot easier to watch.
I like some of the special effects like the scene with the nautilus, but on the other hand I thought some of the scenes looked very artificial.
From the eyes of a child, I think it would be entertaining.
To whom would you recommend this movie?
Definitely families with young children. But I also think that for an older viewer like myself, you can relate to it.
When I first saw 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, it was nice just having that fantasy.
I want to say Hawaii movie-goers should see the movie because it was filmed in the Islands, as well as to support the film industry in Hawaii.
Did any of the actors stand out?
Not for me, personally. Although a lot of people who are Rock fanswould disagree. I did enjoy Luis Guzman (Gabato), the cheesy character.
I enjoyed the comedy and Michael Caine (Alexander) riding on a giant bee.
Did the soundtrack contribute significantly to the film?
To be honest, it didn’t.
I didn’t think it stood out for me. But I found Dwayne Johnson (Hank) singing and playing the ukulele to What a Wonderful World pretty interesting.
On a different note, what’s new with you?
For me, it’s been a rewarding and challenging year at Kualoa Ranch.
We’ve had a few other films productions happening here, mostly television.
We’re working on a new activity that will be unveiled some time this year. We’re also working on a comprehensive 10-year plan.
It’s really great to be involved with a company that has strong values and stewardship. And I love seeing the natural beauty every day.
