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Movie Review: Zathura (2005)
Review by Amanda Formaro
FamilyCorner Gives It:  
Audience: 9 and older
MPAA Rating: PG for fantasy action and peril, and some language.
Profanity: Mild profanity, some language (one of the boys says "Bee-aatch")
Nudity/Sex: None
Alcohol/Drugs: None
Violence/Scariness: Science fiction action, laser shooting ships, man-sized lizard creatures
Diversity Issues: Learn to appreciate what you have, sibling rivalry
Release Date: November 11th, 2005
I must say that I was rather pleased with this movie, even though the previews led me to believe that I wouldn't. I loved Jumanji, and this film is based on the same concept, but with a different twist and different characters. Our kids loved Zathura and watched it several times, my husband and I enjoyed it as well. I think the things that struck my husband and I most was the sibling rivalry between the two brothers in this film. It was nice to see Hollywood showing what it's really like, rather than portaying today's kids as the Brady Bunch.
The scene is set with 10 year old Walter (Josh Hutcherson) playing catch with his dad (Tim Robbins) in the front yard while Walter's little brother, 6 year old Danny (Jonah Bobo), waits patiently for his turn. There is immediate and obvious tension portrayed by Walter toward his younger brother from the start of the movie. Through conversations we learn that their parents are newly divorced and the boys are having trouble adjusting to the shared custody arrangement. When their father leaves the house to run an errand, he leaves the boys in the care of their unattentive sixteen year old sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart).
After Walter lowers Danny into the basement through the dumbwaiter that Danny always hides in, the six year old finds an old board game called Zathura. He tries to get Walter to play it with him, to no avail, so he starts playing the game himself. That's when the action really begins. Just as in Jumanji, once the game has started, you must play until you reach the finish line in order for life to go back to normal.
Both boys are frightened and amazed by the actions that each turn creates. After they are pounded by meoters in the living room, the boys attempt to tell their sister of their plight who doesn't believe a word the boys are saying. She continues to get ready for her date while their house is floating through the outer reaches of space. After taking another turn, the boys accidentally set their sister into a frozen cryonic sleep where she remains for five turns, leaving the boys to fend for themselves. They are chased by a giant malfunctioning robot, shot at by Zorgons, and they rescue a stranded astronaut.
Through most of the movie, the boys continue with their squabbling and fighting, until they realize, with the help of the astronaut, that in order to get home they must work together. Their sister awakes and after learning of their fate, helps in their plight and their quest for home.
Lots of action, plenty of special effects, and a tender, yet unexpected moment at the end, make this a fun movie with a lesson learned. Learn to appreciate what you have before it's gone forever.
We give this film 3.5 out of 5 stars.
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To find out more about this film, visit the official Zathura website
Fun trailers from the movie, watch them by clicking the links below:
Movie preview
Sleep Chamber
Behind-The-Scenes: Adaptation
Two Favorite People
Meteor Shower
Zathura Awaits
Defective Robot
Anti-Gravity
Fleet Admiral
A Good Plan
CAST:
- Josh Hutcherson
- Jonah Bobo
- Dax Shepard
- Kristen Stewart
- Tim Robbins
DIRECTOR:
Jon Favreau
PRODUCERS:
- William Teitler
- Scott Kroopf
- Michael De Luca
WRITERS:
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Reviewed by FamilyCorner editor, Amanda Formaro
Zathura
 In Columbia Pictures' heart-racing sci-fi adventure Zathura, two squabbling brothers are propelled into deepest, darkest space while playing a mysterious game they discovered in the basement of theirold house. On their fantastic journey, they are joined by a stranded astronaut and must survive meteor showers, hostile lizard-like aliens, a rocket-propelled robot run amok and an intergalactic spaceship battle. Unless they finish the game and reach the planet Zathura, they could be trapped in outer space forever. Check it out here
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