ZATHURA — *** — Jonah Bobo, Josh Hutcherson, Dax Shepard; rated PG (violence, mild profanity, vulgarity).

"Zathura" really is what the television ads and movie trailers make it out to be — "Jumanji in Space." Though better and more exciting than that probably makes it sound.

If anything, this science-fiction adventure is more exciting than the 1995 movie version of "Jumanji." But be warned that, like the other film, this one is also a little intense, and some may find its constant children-in-peril content to be a little troubling.

It's also a tad familiar, being based on anther book by Chris Van Allsburg, the popular author of "Jumanji" and "The Polar Express." But it's surprisingly fun as well, and its message about the importance of family, and especially brotherhood, are very welcome and well-done.

Jonah Bobo and Josh Hutcherson star as Danny and Walter, a pair of constantly squabbling brothers. Things only get worse when their father (Tim Robbins) leaves the two boys alone in their new house . . . well, sort of. Their older sister Lisa (Kristen Stewart) is still upstairs and has told them not to disturb her.

Then Danny finds a dusty old board game called "Zathura: A Space Adventure," which apparently has some type of magical powers. When he begins playing, the house is suddenly transported to outer space, and he and Walter find themselves under attack from freak meteor storms, misguided robots and extraterrestrial lizard creatures called Zorgons.

Fortunately, they also manage to rescue a lost astronaut (Dax Shepard), who seems to know a lot about the game, and he may be able to help them get home — and get their house back home as well.

Director Jon Favreau makes the material seem fresher than it should (he performed similar miracles with the Will Ferrell vehicle "Elf").

It helps that the two leads are appealing. Bobo (from "Around the Bend") and Hutcherson ("Kicking & Screaming") are very believable as brothers, and their interchanges seem honest and real.

In support, Stewart ("Panic Room") appears to be a little bored, but Shepard (less irritating than in "Without a Paddle") offers a sarcastic astronaut who is one of the film's more amusing features.

"Zathura" is rated PG for some strong sci-fi action violence (meteor attacks, laser blasts and explosive mayhem), as well as scenes of peril, scattered use of mild profanity (mostly religiously based), and use of some crude slang terms and slightly vulgar humor (belching). Running time: 103 minutes.

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E-mail: jeff@desnews.com