While it's possible to stretch a 32-page storybook into a full-length feature, it's not necessarily a good idea.
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11/11/05
Zathura (2005)
76
%
Tomatometer
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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.
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... [More]
Starring: Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart
Director: Jon Favreau
Reviews for Zathura
How to play "Zathura":Scrub away as much of the charm of Chris Van Allsburg's original book as possible... Raise the volume level to ensure that every one of the heroes' shrieks caresses each viewer's eardrums like a rusty fork...
11/11/05
[Ruined by] the utterly unsympathetic portrayal of Walter, and the one-note sourness of his treatment of Danny, for three-quarters of the running time.
11/11/05
If I were still 12 years old, "Zathura" would be my new favorite movie, and even at 12, I had very good taste in movies.
11/11/05
even with all the peril danger and turmoil the game causes, we secretly with that we could open a box from our basement and enter into an adventure like this... at least I do
11/10/05
Zathura has pure adventure, a heart that doesn’t force itself, and visuals that will fuel the dreams of children everywhere for years to come.
11/10/05
Never before has "space camp" been such a good compliment and such a bad pun.
11/10/05
fun, imaginative adventure for kids and adults that needs some help in the special effects department, but keeps you interested throughout.
11/10/05
Imaginative! Fun! Good times...good times.
11/10/05
Complete nonsense in many ways... but in portraying these two kids, their sister, and their dad, it somehow feels right.
11/10/05
Much of the pleasure of Jon Favreau's adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's Zathura comes from its utter simplicity and directness of purpose.
11/10/05
The game has an engagingly authentic retro feel and the special effects serve the action without being overly intrusive, but the kids are dismally unappealing
11/10/05
Marginal special effects and a heavy-handed dead-end plot ... space trash.
11/10/05
Zathura is a pleasant surprise that combines action, humor and special F/X in even, balanced portions.
11/10/05
Highlights those things that seem to be important to the author: imagination, creativity and family.
11/10/05
Far and away more engaging that its predecessor, Jumanji...director Jon Favreau ("Elf") looks to have his second holiday hit on his hands
11/10/05
Thanks in part to its over-reliance on special effects, the result seems all too familiar.
11/10/05
Favreau draws the audience in by keeping it simple.
11/10/05
What really ruins this game is a contrived pair of bickering brothers at the heart of the tale whose relationship swallows any potential excitement like a gargantuan black hole.
11/10/05
The movie has a lot of the elements that might make it thrilling and it's visually arresting, but it's missing the emotional connection necessary to make it interesting.
11/10/05
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