Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: ZATHURA: Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau (SWINGERS, ELF) delivers another work of intelligent, charming family fare with this space adventure based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg (JUMANJI). Older brother Walter (Josh... ZATHURA: Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau (SWINGERS, ELF) delivers another work of intelligent, charming family fare with this space adventure based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg (JUMANJI). Older brother Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and the younger Danny (Jonah Bobo) are constantly at war with each another, despite the attempts of their long-suffering father (Tim Robbins) to mediate. When he has to go to the office to replace some papers the boys destroyed in their crossfire, he leaves them in the dubious care of their older sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart), who is sleeping upstairs. When Danny discovers an old board game called Zathura stored in the basement, his excitement is lost on Walter, who has no time for such old, boring toys. Soon, however, the game becomes impossible to ignore, as the boys are transported into space, and one of them must win in order to make it home again. Each turn brings a new, often dangerous, surprise--the boys are faced with a murderous robot, an explosive meteor shower, and lizard-like aliens--while poor Lisa is cryogenically frozen early in the game. The adventure yields some heartwarming, family-friendly life lessons, and Dax Shepard (IDIOCRACY) is unusually subdued in his role as a stranded astronaut. JUMANJI: A magical board game serves as a door to another dimension in this adventure fantasy based on Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning children's book. When a pair of orphans discover the game and start playing it they unwittingly unleash a man (Robin Williams) who's been trapped inside--as well as an array of stampeding jungle animals, brought vividly to the screen courtesy of ILM's computer-generated special effects. Directed by Joe Johnston (THE ROCKETEER, JURASSIC PARK III.)
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Tim Robbins, Kristen Stewart, Dax Shepard
Director: Jon Favreau, Joe Johnston
Synopsis: ZATHURA: Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau (SWINGERS, ELF) delivers another work of intelligent, charming family fare with this space adventure based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg (JUMANJI). Older brother Walter (Josh... ZATHURA: Actor-turned-director Jon Favreau (SWINGERS, ELF) delivers another work of intelligent, charming family fare with this space adventure based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg (JUMANJI). Older brother Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and the younger Danny (Jonah Bobo) are constantly at war with each another, despite the attempts of their long-suffering father (Tim Robbins) to mediate. When he has to go to the office to replace some papers the boys destroyed in their crossfire, he leaves them in the dubious care of their older sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart), who is sleeping upstairs. When Danny discovers an old board game called Zathura stored in the basement, his excitement is lost on Walter, who has no time for such old, boring toys. Soon, however, the game becomes impossible to ignore, as the boys are transported into space, and one of them must win in order to make it home again. Each turn brings a new, often dangerous, surprise--the boys are faced with a murderous robot, an explosive meteor shower, and lizard-like aliens--while poor Lisa is cryogenically frozen early in the game. The adventure yields some heartwarming, family-friendly life lessons, and Dax Shepard (IDIOCRACY) is unusually subdued in his role as a stranded astronaut. JUMANJI: A magical board game serves as a door to another dimension in this adventure fantasy based on Chris Van Allsburg's award-winning children's book. When a pair of orphans discover the game and start playing it they unwittingly unleash a man (Robin Williams) who's been trapped inside--as well as an array of stampeding jungle animals, brought vividly to the screen courtesy of ILM's computer-generated special effects. Directed by Joe Johnston (THE ROCKETEER, JURASSIC PARK III.)
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Tim Robbins, Kristen Stewart, Dax Shepard
Director: Jon Favreau, Joe Johnston
Review: Amazon.comZathura, a smart and stylish kid's adventure, launches into action when Danny (Jonah Bobo) twists the key of a dusty science fiction game--a game that unleashes a localized meteor shower and wrenches Danny's house into orbit around a distant ringed planet, bringing Danny's brother Walter (Josh Hutcherson, Kicking and Screaming) and sister Lisa (Kristen Stewart, Panic Room) along. Soon a defective robot, a rangy astronaut (Dax Shepard, Without a Paddle), and an alien spaceship enter the picture. Only by completing the game can the kids return their house to its proper space-time coordinates, but the game board falls into the hands of some nasty, carnivorous lizards. Zathura has some obligatory emotional conflict and resolution between the two brothers, but that's pretty much beside the point; what makes Zathura a delight is the wonderful design, the skillful escalation of disasters, and the adroit direction of Jon Favreau (Elf), who is quickly becoming the go-to guy for mass-market movies with wit and timing. Some situations may be too intense for younger kids; Favreau ratchets up the suspense at a few points. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji). Also featuring Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption). --Bret Fetzer
