Movie Review:

Zathura

by Lynn B

Zathura’s director Jon Favreau says he went into this project wanting to…“Make this like a movie we missed growing up and just now found”. Well, the space adventure Zathura does sorta remind us of The Goonies or Gremlins or one of those other 80’s and early ‘90’s Spielberg style adventures.

In Zathura, an overworked father (Tim Robbins) leaves the house and 6-year old son, Danny (Jonah Bobo) and 10-year-old son, Walter (Josh Hutcherson) in the care of their couldn’t-care-less teen sister Lisa (Kristen Stewart). Both boys are vying for the attention of their dad and Walter is pretty mean to his younger brother. Bored when Walter won’t play with him, Danny discovers the game, Zathura in the basement of their house. When his brother won’t play, Danny starts playing the game himself. The game is magic and various moves lead to a meteor shower and finally the launching of the entire house into space!

Instructions let the boys know that they can’t go back home to Earth until they play the whole game and each boys’ turn brings a new dangerous space adventure. Sis has already been “frozen” by one game move and making things more interesting are an astronaut also trapped in the game (Dax Shephard), a giant robot and a threatening lizard race called Zorgons. Will the guys finish the game and return home, will they learn to get along?

Like the best of the early Spielberg films, the characters in Zathura, rather than the special effects, drive the story and both young actors Josh and Jonah are convincing, funny and endearing (Kristen Stewart is fine as big sis but she is “frozen” through most of the film). Funnyguy Dax Shephard is good in an earnest role for a change as the older guy trapped in the game. The twist involving his character is very cool too.

It’s also refreshing to see a film with real critters chasing real kids on a real set rather than all in computer. Director Favreau was very particular about giving his actors something to really react to rather than a tennis ball on a post in front of a green screen and it pays off in their performances and our enjoyment. Dialogue is cute and funny as well.

Zathura is one film that you can take your little sis or bro to and not be bored yourself. It teaches some great lessons without being “preachy” and is a real eyeful. Go…enjoy.

 

This movie is rated PG

Official Movie Web Site - ZATHURA

Pictures courtesy of and copyright Columbia Pictures, 2005