MartinHafer
I remember seeing the previews for "Zatura: A Space Adventure" back in 2005 and thinking that the premise for this one is pretty much "Jumanji"....which it is. While not a sequel, the game clearly is a reworking of the original story. So, if you like one, you'll likely enjoy the other.When the story begins, a divorced dad (Tim Robbins) is trying to work as his bratty kids are being...well...brats. Eventually, after Dad leaves, the youngest finds a game called "Zathura" and when he starts playing it, the game becomes real. Suddenly the house is transported to outer space and the only conceivable way to get back is to, apparently, complete the game with his annoying and occasionally hateful brother. In the process, they meet an astronaut, a murderous robot and meat-eating lizard creatures.The visuals in this film are mind-blowing...particularly for 2005. So much CGI was used...and it looks real. In fact, the CGI and stunts are second to none. As for the story, it's decent but has two minor problems--you really hate the three siblings and the story will be less interesting to adults and is too violent and scary for younger kids. Worth seeing with your kids.
rkhen
This fun little film with a message (appreciate your siblings) could have been preachy or nauseatingly "family-oriented", but it's not. The kids are realistic, and there are effectively no adults guiding or lecturing them. (OK, possibly one young adult; you'll have to see the movie to get it.) A nice evening home with the kids, or just a trip back to childhood. Special mention to Dax Shepard, whose performance as The Astronaut is delicately nuanced between competent and capable, and sensitive and approachable. A memorable character.
mike48128
Maybe a "10" but I can't rate it higher than "Jumanji". Perhaps less scary (to me) than "Jumanji" because I was older at the time? Another magical boardgame with mechanical tokens and springs. Also, we are in the middle of an unfinished game which launches the house into outer space where it is "threatened" by hungry alien lizards, meteors, and black holes. Again, the house is turned into a "shambles" and everything returns back to normal once the game is finally finished. I do not know what character I like better; the "frozen" older sister or the goofy-wacky robot "monster". The aliens like to melt down and salvage everything for fuel, as well as eat delicious humans. A great "twist" is that the "Astronaut" is the young boy's older brother who was suspended and trapped inside the game and therefore forgotten in real time. It is missing a charismatic character actor like a Robin Williams type, but still most enjoyable to watch. Again, the game is buried at the end but will be re-discovered in the future, no doubt. See also "Polar Express", the other Chris Van Allsburg "picture book" made into a great movie.
adonis98-743-186503
Two young brothers are drawn into an intergalactic adventure when their house is hurled through the depths of space by the magical board game they are playing. Zathura is mostly hated cause people compare it to Jumanji and i get that but there's more than you might except in this movie it's the kids that they are both hilarious Jonah Bobo and Josh Hutcherson then you have the astronaut who is played by Dax Shepard who is actually someone than you might not except and i won't spoil then you have dad who is played by Tim Robbins and Kristen Stewart as Lisa who really is goddamn funny in this film then you have the robot who keeps saying any alive form must be destroyed and then we have the Zorgons and the thing that Stan Winston and Jon Favreau worked in this film is truly something amazing. You want the laughs? it's there. You want the drama and action? they are there. You want to spend your time and watch a fun movie? Zathura is the film for you 100%
AD
