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Movies / Upcoming / 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.

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

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Zathura

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1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 31 2006 03:15 AM

Sydney Morning Herald

tomato

Urban Cinefile Critics

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: | comment Comment | Jan., 21 2006 11:53 PM

Urban Cinefile

N/R

Felix Vasquez Jr.

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 29 2009 03:16 AM

Cinema Crazed

splat
2/5

Jette Kernion

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: | comment Comment | Apr., 08 2007 11:38 AM

Cinematical

tomato

Kevin Lally

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 22 2007 10:44 AM

Film Journal International

tomato
4/4

Kam Williams

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 05 2007 08:42 PM

Black Star News

tomato
3/5

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Dec., 30 2006 08:30 AM

Empire Magazine

tomato
2.5/4

Peter T. Chattaway

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: | comment Comment | Nov., 17 2006 09:36 AM

Christianity Today

tomato
2.5/5

Joseph Proimakis

full review in Greek

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Oct., 03 2006 09:47 AM

Movies for the Masses

tomato
3/5

Pablo Villaca

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 23 2006 04:36 AM

Cinema em Cena

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 01 2006 04:25 AM

Jam! Movies

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jun., 24 2006 04:29 AM

Time Out

tomato
3/5

Jim Lane

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | May., 12 2006 03:16 AM

Sacramento News & Review

splat

Todd Jorgenson

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 21 2006 10:35 AM

Denton Record Chronicle (TX)

tomato
2.5/4

David Nusair

...rarely dull...

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 18 2006 03:26 AM

Reel Film Reviews

tomato
3/5

Joe Utichi

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 18 2006 03:26 AM

FilmFocus

tomato
3/5

Matthew Turner

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: | comment Comment | Feb., 11 2006 03:24 AM

ViewLondon

N/R

Peter Bradshaw

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 11 2006 03:24 AM

Guardian [UK]

N/R

David Edwards

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 11 2006 03:24 AM

Daily Mirror [UK]

tomato
3.5/5

Rich Cline

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

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jan., 19 2006 03:15 AM

Shadows on the Wall

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
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