Jaeger Clade (Dennis Quaid) is a legendary explorer whose lifelong quest is to see what is beyond the mountains of Avalonia. His son Searcher (Jake Gyllenhaal) does not share his father’s exploring aspirations though and when they have a difference of opinion whilst on an expedition they go their separate ways. Jaeger disappears in search of a way through the mountains and Searcher finds a power source via a plant he finds on the mountains. 

Twenty-five years later and the plants that have become Avalonia’s power source are dying and Searcher Clade heads out on an expedition with his own son Ethan (Jaboukie Young-White). 

Their quest takes them on a Jules Verne Journey To The Centre Of The Earth type story.  Filled with unique and interesting creatures and a revelation about Avalonia that allows them to solve the puzzle of their power source failure. 

The film opens and closes with lovely comic book stills telling us the story of the Clade’s complete with newsreel style voiceover. It features both a cute dog and a cute alien like creature that the family interact with. The creatures are unique and interesting and the revelation around two thirds of the way through the film is brilliant. Whilst the ecological message around living harmoniously with nature and the family message about not forcing your aspirations on your children are both admirable. 

Strange World has so many wonderful component parts that should result in it being a great film. Unfortunately though the plot unfolds in a tedious manner and the characters seem particularly generic and uninteresting. 

My kids on the other hand loved it so what the heck do I know? 

Honestly though this is C tier Disney with A tier ideas. A classic example of how sometimes all the right components do not come together as well as they might.