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Movies / On DVD / Zathura
Zathura

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Zathura (2005)

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Reviews Counted:146

Fresh:111

Rotten:35

Average Rating:6.6/10

Consensus: Dazzling special effects for the kids + well-crafted storytelling for the 'rents = cinematic satisfaction for the whole family.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for fantasy action and peril, and some language.

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:Nov 11, 2005 Wide

Box Office: $28,045,540

Synopsis: 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... 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 one another, bickering over the mediating voice of their long-suffering father (Tim Robbins). 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 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, and 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. [More]

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart

Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart, Tim Robbins, Peter Billingsley, Derek Mears

Director: Jon Favreau

Director: Jon Favreau
Producer: Ted Field, Scott Kroopf
Composer: John Debney
Studio: Sony Pictures Entertainment

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Feb 14, 2006

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Reviews for Zathura

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1 - 20 (sorted by fresh rating)
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Some will probably harp on the movie's lack of scientific accuracy, which really is a logical complaint to make about a movie where a board game creates its own alternate reality. Just shut up and roll with it.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
12/30/06
Empire Magazine

Its world of corporeal creatures and practical FX will allow kids to believe in the movie in a way that many have never believed in a film on the big screen before.

Full Review Source: Juicy Cerebellum | comment Comment
11/05/05
Alex Sandell
Alex Sandell
Juicy Cerebellum

After watching the kids play Zathura in Zathura -- a crackling family adventure in which sibling rivalries play out against a backdrop of Robbie-like robot assaults and devouring gila monsters -- all I can say is, let me at it.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
11/11/05
Amy Biancolli
Amy Biancolli
Houston Chronicle

Most of the film's 101 minutes is an onslaught of explosions, attacks, escapes and infighting.

Full Review Source: Sympatico.ca | comment Comment
11/15/05
Angela Baldassarre
Angela Baldassarre
Sympatico.ca

Jon Favreau has struck again with another entertaining and unique effort, and he's thrust himself to forefront as far as directors for this genre go.

Full Review Source: FromTheBalcony | comment Comment
11/10/05
Bill Clark
Bill Clark
FromTheBalcony

The best that can be said for Zathura is that it meets expectations, which is becoming more and more rare at the movies.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
11/10/05
Bill Muller
Bill Muller
Arizona Republic
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Director Jon Favreau creates a childlike world for the movie. Mostly everything is shown through the eyes of the boys.

Full Review Source: Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) | comment Comment
11/11/05
Bob Bloom
Bob Bloom
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)

The best adaptation yet of a Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji, The Polar Express) children's book, Zathura confirms director Jon Favreau's mastery of the retro-cool family-film format.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Daily News | comment Comment
11/11/05
Bob Strauss
Bob Strauss
Los Angeles Daily News

The special effects and story do most of the heavy lifting, [but] it's surprising and gratifying how well acted Zathura is...

Full Review Source: Now Playing Magazine | comment Comment
11/11/05
Brent Simon
Brent Simon
Now Playing Magazine

Zathura has pure adventure, a heart that doesn’t force itself, and visuals that will fuel the dreams of children everywhere for years to come.

Full Review Source: FilmJerk.com | comment Comment
11/10/05
Brian Orndorf
Brian Orndorf
FilmJerk.com

... if you're willing to settle for a diverting journey that's awfully reminiscent of a previous trip, Zathura will get you there.

Full Review Source: Las Vegas Review-Journal | comment Comment
11/11/05
Carol Cling
Carol Cling
Las Vegas Review-Journal

Favreau draws the audience in by keeping it simple.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Inquirer | comment Comment
11/10/05
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The movie is very similar to Jumanji (same author, same plot), but it's still a fun adventure with special effects that are out of this world.

Full Review Source: TheMovieChicks.com | comment Comment
11/11/05
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com

The movie has just the right amount of scariness, just the right amount of humor and just the right amount of magic.

Full Review Source: St. Paul Pioneer Press | comment Comment
11/10/05
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
Chris Hewitt (St. Paul)
St. Paul Pioneer Press

Zathura could have used that Tim Burton touch, but it's still an imaginative way for kids to kill an afternoon.

Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
11/13/05
Christian Toto
Christian Toto
Washington Times

Smart and engaging, Zathura is one big "Check Mate" to Jumanji, a movie it trumps in every way.

Full Review Source: Bangor Daily News (Maine) | comment Comment
11/12/05
Christopher Smith
Christopher Smith
Bangor Daily News (Maine)

Zathura is spectacular, fun-filled family entertainment for kids, adults, and the child within

Full Review Source: Moviehole | comment Comment
01/03/06
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole

The special effects never overshadow the story, which is just down-to-earth enough to resonate with younger viewers.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
11/10/05
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune

Much of the pleasure of Jon Favreau's adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's Zathura comes from its utter simplicity and directness of purpose.

Full Review Source: Zap2it.com | comment Comment
11/10/05
Dan Fienberg
Dan Fienberg
Zap2it.com
 
 
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