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Zathura

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Zathura (2005)

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76 %
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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.

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Childrens

US 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

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Reviews for Zathura

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
Arrange By: Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
N/R

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Full Review Source: Sydney Morning Herald | comment Comment
03/31/06
Sydney Morning Herald
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

A flawed but likeable and kid-friendly fantasy with smartly blended effects, Zathura is a throwback to the space adventures of the 1980s.

Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
01/21/06
Urban Cinefile Critics
Urban Cinefile
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

At times it seemed like events were occurring just so the kids, or the kids in the audience, could learn their lesson a little bit more.

Full Review Source: Cinematical | comment Comment
04/08/07
Jette Kernion
Cinematical

A lively, imaginative tall tale that should thrill young audiences and engage their parents.

Full Review Source: Film Journal International | comment Comment
02/22/07
Kevin Lally
Film Journal International

A practically-perfect family flick which delivers a big lesson about the true meaning of brotherly love.

Full Review Source: Black Star News | comment Comment
01/05/07
Kam Williams
Black Star News

Click to read the article

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

For those who love the majesty of the solar system, the thrill of space battles, and the adventure of finding secret passageways in old houses, this movie should be just the ticket.

Full Review Source: Christianity Today | comment Comment
11/17/06
Peter T. Chattaway
Christianity Today

full review in Greek

Full Review Source: Movies for the Masses | comment Comment
10/03/06
Joseph Proimakis
Movies for the Masses

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema em Cena | comment Comment
09/23/06
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Jam! Movies | comment Comment
07/01/06
Jam! Movies
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
06/24/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
05/12/06
Jim Lane
Sacramento News & Review

Any game is more fun to play than to watch others play, even if it involves death-defying stunts and harrowing alien encounters that would frighten even the heartiest souls.

Full Review Source: Denton Record Chronicle (TX) | comment Comment
02/21/06
Todd Jorgenson
Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

...rarely dull...

Full Review Source: Reel Film Reviews | comment Comment
02/18/06
David Nusair
Reel Film Reviews

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: FilmFocus | comment Comment
02/18/06
Joe Utichi
FilmFocus

The effects are extremely good. Rather than opt for CGI overload, director Favreau and effects guru Stan Winston have elected to use good old-fashioned solid objects, which are entirely suited to the 1950s design of the game.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
02/11/06
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
02/11/06
Peter Bradshaw
Guardian [UK]
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

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Full Review Source: Daily Mirror [UK] | comment Comment
02/11/06
David Edwards
Daily Mirror [UK]

Favreau keeps things moving fairly frenetically, clearly having fun with the general mayhem

Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
01/19/06
Rich Cline
Shadows on the Wall
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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