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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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141 - 156 (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
 
 

a big concept, but not an original one. It is, in point of fact, pretty much a rehashing of a much better film, JUMANJI, which was also based on a book by Chris Van Allsburg.

Full Review Source: Killer Movie Reviews | comment 1 Comment
11/09/05
Andrea Chase
Andrea Chase
Killer Movie Reviews

Terrific Special Effects and a nice twist at the end make this a children's film that everyone can enjoy.

Full Review Source: tonymedley.com | comment Comment
11/09/05
Tony Medley
Tony Medley
tonymedley.com

Zathura is a rarity: a stellar fantasy that faces down childhood anxieties with feet-on-the-ground maturity.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
11/09/05
Scott Brown
Scott Brown
Entertainment Weekly

Not without its flaws, but overall surreal fun. Slightly above average. (Might be a bit too scary for little kids.)

Full Review Source: Hollywood Report Card | comment Comment
11/09/05
Ross Anthony
Ross Anthony
Hollywood Report Card

There are a few genuinely amusing moments...but most of 'Zathura' is either shrill or flat.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
11/09/05
Frank Swietek
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

Although filled with amazing set pieces and a strong sense of adventure, 'Zathura' soon becomes annoying to watch because of almost continuous shouting by its young co-stars.

Full Review Source: ReelTalk Movie Reviews | comment Comment
11/09/05
Betty Jo Tucker
Betty Jo Tucker
ReelTalk Movie Reviews

Some pals and I subscribe to the popular theory that any movie is automatically worth watching if it contains (a) jet packs or (b) a giant robot. Zathura has both.

Full Review Source: Philadelphia Weekly | comment Comment
11/08/05
Sean Burns
Sean Burns
Philadelphia Weekly

a perfect PG adventure where two brothers bond while dodging meteors and fighting off giant space lizards

Full Review Source: Sean the Movie Guy | comment Comment
11/08/05
Sean McBride
Sean McBride
Sean the Movie Guy

Let's play Jumanji! No, let's not, but say we did -- in space!

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
11/08/05
Peter L'Official
Peter L'Official
Village Voice

Zathura: A Space Adventure is a mediocre children's movie based on the reworking of an already faulty formula (see Jumanji) generated by the same author.

Full Review Source: ColeSmithey.com | comment Comment
11/07/05
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
ColeSmithey.com

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

Here’s a space mess that’s all show with very little go.

Full Review Source: KWQC-TV (Iowa) | comment Comment
11/02/05
Linda Cook
Linda Cook
KWQC-TV (Iowa)

Arguably the best adaptation of a Chris Van Allsburg book to date.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
11/01/05
Justin Chang
Justin Chang
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Clever space adventure with dazzling special effects.

Full Review Source: FilmsInReview.com | comment Comment
10/31/05
Victoria Alexander
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com

A beautiful film, a return to movie-making craftsmanship that’s gone by the wayside in a wave of cubicle nerds carelessly rendering spaceships on their Apple computers.

Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com | comment Comment
10/27/05
Joshua Tyler
Joshua Tyler
CinemaBlend.com

Favreau again delivers that rare beast -- a family film that even childless adults can enjoy.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
10/10/05
John DeFore
John DeFore
Hollywood Reporter
 
 
141 - 156 (sorted by date; Australian critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
all

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