Zathura: A Space Adventure
By Mal Simons, Blockbuster.co.uk
An entertaining family film, ‘Zathura’ is based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, the author of
Jumanji. Like
Jumanji
, ‘Zathura’ also uses a board game that transports two kids into a game of adventure. However while ‘Jumanji’ struggled from time to time to get the balance between Special Effects and story right, ‘Zathura’ is a superior movie that will entertain children and adults of all ages.
Danny (Jonah Bobo) and Walter (
Josh Hutcherson)
are two brothers who are always fighting with each other. The classic case of an older brother being jealous of his younger sibling. When their Dad (
Tim Robbins)
has to go to a meeting one Saturday afternoon, he leaves the two boys in the house with their older sister (
Kristen Stewart)
, this is when they come across ‘Zathura’, a magical board game set in space just as ‘Jumanji’ was set in the jungle.
Quickly starting with a meteor shower that obliterates the front room and transports them to the middle of the galaxy. The boys have to battle alien pirates, black holes and robot killing machines. Along the way, the boys discover a young astronaut played by (
Dax Shepard)
who helps them to get out of danger and is a querky and amusing character in the game.
The interaction between the brothers are excellent – rarely are child roles so convincing or compelling. Director (
Jon Favreau)
does a good job at telling the story from the brother’s perspective that children will enjoy however at the same time, in such a way that adults can relate to themselves. This film also has some amazing special effects which help thrust the viewer into the child’s imagination.
The boys’ older sister Lisa is living in a world of her own, a typical teenager, in bed until late and pretty self obsessed with preening and dating, the boys hardly see her although she does join the game late on in the film after being cryogenically frozen in the bathroom upstairs for most of the duration. All of the scenes between her and her brothers are great – particularly when she is thawed out only to find that their house is being attacked by intergalactic pirates. She doesn’t take it very well.
Funny, exciting and highly entertaining, ‘Zathura’ will is sure to let you forget your troubles by transporting you to another world. Add to your list now.