Movies shown in 3-D are like fireworks: You can tell how successful they are by counting the "ooohs" in the audience. And there are plenty of "ooohs" to be had in "Journey to the Center of the Earth," the latest iteration of the Jules Verne classic and one that uses modern cinematic technology with verve and ingenuity.

College geologist Trevor Anderson (Brendan Fraser) and 13-year-old nephew, Sean (Josh Hutcherson), find themselves on an impromptu trip to Iceland, where a volcano is showing unusual activity. With the help of a gorgeous mountain climber named Hannah (Anita Briem), they get to their desired destination, only to be shunted into an abandoned mine during a thunderstorm. From there, they're hurled farther downward until they reach the titular center of the Earth, which looks remarkably like a 1972 Yes album cover.

Kidding aside, "Journey to the Center of the Earth" is terrific family entertainment, an action comedy on a par with "Night at the Museum" and "National Treasure." Granted, there are scenes of frightening peril, such as when saber-toothed fish jump out of the water directly into the audience's collective lap. But any fear is quickly dispelled by the film's light sense of humor, abetted by Fraser's warm, easygoing style. And viewers will delight at amusing visual stunts involving a yo-yo, a beetle's antenna and at least three spit takes, one from a very sloppy, gloppy dinosaur. Oooh!

-- Ann Hornaday (July 11, 2008)

Contains intense adventure action and scary moments.