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Movies / On DVD / 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.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for fantasy action and peril, and some language.

Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

Genre: Childrens

Theatrical Release:03-02-2006

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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21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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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 Critics
Urban Cinefile

Zathura is spectacular, fun-filled family entertainment for kids, adults, and the child within

Full Review Source: Moviehole | comment Comment
01/03/06
Clint Morris
Clint Morris
Moviehole

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Zertinet Movies | comment Comment
12/14/05
Steven Snyder
Steven Snyder
Zertinet Movies

The vintage sci-fi design of the outer space setting and creatures is aesthetically pleasing, not to mention tangible in ways that CGI effects often aren't.

Full Review Source: Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema | comment Comment
12/12/05
Mark Pfeiffer
Mark Pfeiffer
Reel Times: Reflections on Cinema

There's something for kids and pedophiles.

Full Review Source: Planet Sick-Boy | comment Comment
12/09/05
Jon Popick
Jon Popick
Planet Sick-Boy
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: AV Club | comment Comment
12/06/05
AV Club
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
12/06/05
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Some will probably harp on the movie's lack of scientific accuracy, which really is a logical complaint to make about a movie where a board game creates its own alternate reality. Just shut up and roll with it.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Film Threat
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: St. Louis Post-Dispatch | comment Comment
12/06/05
St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Favreau continues to show a real flair for concocting worlds that persuasively blend the real and the fantastic ...

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
12/06/05
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

There's nary a smidgen of adult humor, so parents might find things a bit on the dull side at times, but in the end they will likely thank Favreau in droves for making a film that is at least certain not to give them a headache.

Full Review Source: Premiere Magazine | comment Comment
12/06/05
Ryan Devlin
Ryan Devlin
Premiere Magazine

A great little family film with equal measures of humor, adventure and heart.

Full Review Source: Laramie Movie Scope | comment Comment
12/02/05
Robert Roten
Robert Roten
Laramie Movie Scope

Superb visuals but frustrating and tiresome and much longer than its advertised 95 minutes.

Full Review Source: Cinerina | comment Comment
11/28/05
Karina Montgomery
Karina Montgomery
Cinerina

.

Full Review Source: 3BlackChicks Review | comment Comment
11/26/05
Kamal  'The Diva' Larsuel
Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel
3BlackChicks Review

When two kids discover a futuristic board game in the basement, the results prove to be out of this world

Full Review Source: Sci-Fi Weekly | comment Comment
11/23/05
Michael Szymanski
Michael Szymanski
Sci-Fi Weekly

Zathura is a great example of a live action family film that the whole family can enjoy.

Full Review Source: Supercala.com | comment Comment
11/23/05
Paul Salfen
Paul Salfen
Supercala.com

This extremely cute adventure is certain to keep you laughing and smiling from beginning to end whether you are six or a hundred and six.

Full Review Source: Internet Reviews | comment Comment
11/23/05
Steve Rhodes
Steve Rhodes
Internet Reviews

Thin on plot, skimpy on emotion, big on special effects.

Full Review Source: Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah) | comment Comment
11/21/05
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Audrey Rock-Richardson
Tooele Transcript-Bulletin (Utah)

Boldly goes where no board game has gone before.

Full Review Source: Oregon Herald | comment Comment
11/20/05
Mark Sells
Mark Sells
Oregon Herald

If you're looking for a sci-fi family lark, you might want to roll the dice on Zathura.

Full Review Source: San Antonio Express-News | comment Comment
11/19/05
Larry Ratliff
Larry Ratliff
San Antonio Express-News
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 >> >|
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