'Get Smart' (PG-13): There's no question that diehard fans of the original "Get Smart" television series in the 1960s and 1970s will be hard-pressed to accept anybody other than the late Don Adams in the iconic role of agent Maxwell Smart.

But giving the filmmakers credit, "The Office" star Steve Carell was a smart choice, for the lack of a better word, to take the challenge head on for the big-screen update of "Get Smart." And thanks to Carell's expert combination of dry wit and wisdom, Maxwell Smart is back and firing on all cylinders for a whole new generation. The wonderful thing is, he's only one of the many great things going for the feature film version of "Get Smart."

"Get Smart" is set up as an origin story, following Maxwell's long-awaited promotion from an analyst to an agent in the government's covert CONTROL agency. Known for his dreadfully long, detailed reports, Maxwell is as smart as a whip, which is part of the reason Chief (Alan Arkin) refuses to promote him. He's just too valuable an asset for Chief to let go.

But when CONTROL's offices are attacked and several agents are assassinated across the globe, Chief has no choice to but to promote Maxwell to his dream job. Earning the title of Agent 86, Maxwell is partnered with Agent 99 (a drop-dead gorgeous Anne Hathaway) to ferret out one of the heavies (the always deliciously evil Terrence Stamp) in KAOS -- CONTROL's longtime enemy agency in Russia. Meanwhile, Chief and superstar Agent 23 (Dwayne Johnson) run the agency's crippled operations from home.

The problem is, Agent 99 doesn't have a bit of confidence in Maxwell because of his inexperience and the uncomfortable truth that CONTROL's attack was likely because of an inside job. "Trust no one," Agent 99 tells Maxwell, knowing that there may be a romantic attraction between the two.

While Carell has his share of slapstick moments thanks to some of the high-tech gadgets provided to him from the agency, he smartly avoids playing Maxwell as a buffoon. Maxwell is able bodied (you'll see what that means through flashbacks) and intelligent, and Carell finely balances the comedy and action, as he and his fellow agents face ominous danger.

The other characters also know their limitations. Hathaway shows complete restraint and gives off an air of mystery as the hard-as-nails Agent 99, while Arkin, an expert of dry humor, fits snugly into Chief's suit. Johnson, freeing himself of "The Rock" billing for the first time, is also perfect as a super-suave agent who helps teach Maxwell the ropes.

"Get Smart" could be best defined as a James Bond-like action comedy, with a bigger emphasis on the action as the film draws to its wild conclusion. And whether it's a shot of Maxwell plummeting to Earth without a parachute, hanging on to a plane banner or struggling to free himself and Agent 99 from an out-of-control car running down a set of railroad tracks, the action is realistic and breathtaking. Under Peter Segal's tight direction, "Get Smart" rarely has a dull moment.

Of course, when all is said and done, the door is left wide open for more "Get Smart" adventures, so don't be surprised to see Carell and Hathaway get "Smarter" sometime in the near future. Apart from their individual talents, they have great romantic chemistry.

If and when a "Get Smart" sequel happens, Carell, Hathaway and Segal, if he chooses to direct again, can't forget to bring CONTROL's co-workers along for the ride. That includes frequent Carell co-star David Koechner and Terry Crews as a pair of prankster fellow agents; and Masi Oka (Hiro from "Heroes") and Nate Torrence as Bruce and Lloyd, CONTROL's nerdy gadget makers. The four are fabulous in meaningful, supporting roles.

DVD Features: The film can be viewed in its regular, theatrical version or in its "Comedy Optimization" mode, which adds 20 minutes of alternate jokes. Also included in the two-disc edition are a gag reel, production featurettes and more. (Warner Home Video)

Also New:

Journey to the Center of the Earth' (PG): Not accessible to everybody during its theatrical run (only select theaters with digital projection played the 3-D version), the release of "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3-D" on DVD finally allows everybody the opportunity to experience some eye-popping visuals -- albeit with some mixed results.

With an adventure hero pedigree thanks to the trio of "Mummy" movies, Brendan Fraser plays a familiar but likeable character in this re-imagining of the Jules Verne classic. Fraser stars as Trevor, a college professor bothered by the disappearance of his scientist brother, Max (Jean Michel Pare), on an expedition.

But Trevor may be one step closer to finding out the mystery when he, Max's son, Sean (Josh Hutcherson -- you'll have to suffer through his character's annoying tendencies until you discover his motivations) and volcanologist Hannah Asgeirsson (Anita Briem) stumble upon an amazing passageway that leads them to the center of the Earth: a lost world filled with creatures, artifacts and danger beyond their wildest imaginations.

The DVD release of "Journey to the Center of the Earth" comes with both 2-D and 3-D versions, and not surprisingly, the 3-D version is far superior to its conventional counterpart. The 3-D visuals are among the best I've seen on the home video market so far, even though the picture quality takes on a pink and green tint because of the cardboard-framed glass' colored lenses.

The sacrifice in quality is an acceptable one in this case because of the reach-out-and-grab-them effects that sweep you up in the action. Without the gimmick, "Journey to the Center of the Earth is an average movie at best.

DVD Features: Commentary by Fraser and director Eric Brevig; production featurettes including history "Hollow Earth Theories" and more. (New Line Home Entertainment)