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Amazon.co.uk Review
Zathura, a smart and stylish kid's adventure, launches into action when Danny (Jonah Bobo) twists the key of a dusty science fiction game--a game that unleashes a localized meteor shower and wrenches Danny's house into orbit around a distant ringed planet, bringing Danny's brother Walter (Josh Hutcherson, Kicking and Screaming) and sister Lisa (Kristen Stewart, Panic Room) along. Soon a defective robot, a rangy astronaut (Dax Shepard, Without a Paddle), and an alien spaceship enter the picture. Only by completing the game can the kids return their house to its proper space-time coordinates, but the game board falls into the hands of some nasty, carnivorous lizards. Zathura has some obligatory emotional conflict and resolution between the two brothers, but that's pretty much beside the point; what makes Zathura a delight is the wonderful design, the skillful escalation of disasters, and the adroit direction of Jon Favreau (Elf), who is quickly becoming the go-to guy for mass-market movies with wit and timing. Some situations may be too intense for younger kids; Favreau ratchets up the suspense at a few points. Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg (Jumanji). Also featuring Tim Robbins (The Shawshank Redemption). --Bret Fetzer
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I really wasn't expecting much of this film as I never really enjoyed Jumanji and the idea of a space version of Jumanji made me cringe. However I should not have doubted Zathura as it turned out to be mind-blowing, a little bit scary and out of this world (literally).
First off the movie isn't perfect as child performances suffer and the Zorgons look quite fake. (Don't ask me what a zorgon is). However the film does contain special effects up to the standards of Star Wars and a scene rather familliar to War Of The Worlds where one of the kids trys to not be seen by the deadly zorgons and sneak around wihout being seen (ring a bell). The only difference is that Zathura pulls it off better than Zathura and had me sitting at the edge of my sit in suspense. War Of the Worlds also did this but lacked the realism.
The boradgame itself was very cleverly planned out and included loads of fun bonuses like the shooting star, it also contained meteor showers, frozen sisters and lots of other exciting things. Children will lap this up but may leave feeling a little scared for as fake as teh zorgons are they still have a frightful characteristic to them.
I will be buying this when it comes out on DVD and I pat Jon Favreau on the back for suprising me with the delightful fun-filled, action-packed, scary film.
First off the movie isn't perfect as child performances suffer and the Zorgons look quite fake. (Don't ask me what a zorgon is). However the film does contain special effects up to the standards of Star Wars and a scene rather familliar to War Of The Worlds where one of the kids trys to not be seen by the deadly zorgons and sneak around wihout being seen (ring a bell). The only difference is that Zathura pulls it off better than Zathura and had me sitting at the edge of my sit in suspense. War Of the Worlds also did this but lacked the realism.
The boradgame itself was very cleverly planned out and included loads of fun bonuses like the shooting star, it also contained meteor showers, frozen sisters and lots of other exciting things. Children will lap this up but may leave feeling a little scared for as fake as teh zorgons are they still have a frightful characteristic to them.
I will be buying this when it comes out on DVD and I pat Jon Favreau on the back for suprising me with the delightful fun-filled, action-packed, scary film.
11 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
This year I'll be 46, and as much as I love the challenge of a multilayered plot, brain scrambling time-lines and head spinning editing, nothing quite beats the comfort of a slightly scary kids movie on a wet weekend. And Zathura is it! I gather it must have slipped under the blockbuster net, as it came to me as a second-hand '... if you've nothing better to do' recommendation. Sure it's cheesy, sure it's funny where sometimes it shouldn't be and sure it's a little slow to get started. But forget all that. It's got a clever storyline, superb (believable) effects and lots of laugh out loud moments. Unfortunately, as another reviewer mentioned, it is a tiny bit repetitive which means it may well find itself collecting dust under the stairs (along side the boardgame) between yearly outings. Good to buy, watch once and pass on as a gift.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
And you thought nobody made good kids films anymore? How wrong could you have been! It's easy to prejudge this film: its a Jumanji rip-off, featuring some annoying brats, and hell look at that poster ~ a flying house in space! But in a wierd and unexpected way it is exactly each of these points that made the film such a brilliant fantasy. The child actors are actually very good and don't grate your nerves into cheese-string and the plot of the film (while not entirely original) is told in an exciting manner that builds the tension just enough for the family audeince it is aimed at. While the spectacle of a flying house in space is really quite captivating, and feels more like a notion from a Studio Gibli film than anything to recently have come out of Hollywood. In an age where the 12A [UK film rating] seems to have become the new family film for all the wrong reasons it's great to find a PG that fits the bill the way it should. Zathura is pure escapism at its best.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Exciting family sci-fi
The trailer, and knowing it was directed by Iron Man's John Favreau roped me in to see this, and I'm glad I did. Read more
Published 7 months ago by Benminx
Zathura
got it quickly after purchase happy with the packaging and quality of the CD.great film , fun packed journey. my sort of film 4 out of 5 stars.
Published 8 months ago by Blero
Action packed and awesome
Iron Man director Jon Favraeu tries his hand at a more kid/family friendly film with this offering which couldn't have been better. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Sam
'Scary' fun for all ages
Much better than Jumanji in my opinion, we have seen this movie twice on TV and thoroughly enjoyed it. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Roger Taylor
Lost in space
Enjoyed this movie and I must admitt it was better than I thought it would be, I brought this movie for my grandchildren but it's staying in my collection until I give in to them... Read more
Published 12 months ago by Robyn B. Mcgorm
Jumanji...IN SPACE - A Rubbish Rip-off
Two brother's come further to odds when their dad leaves them alone in the house and the younger bro finds some old board game hidden in the cellar - as they pay the game the soon... Read more
Published on 21 Mar 2010 by James Cameron
Zorgon alert!
Released in 2005 as a follow-up to 1995 smash fantasy adventure `Jumanji', and like that film also based on an illustrated short story by Chris Van Allsburg; Zathura is essentially... Read more
Published on 5 Jun 2009 by Captain Pugwash
A Zorgon guide to house remodelling
Although a little derivative Zathura is lifted above this shortcoming by a witty script and creative production design. Kids will love it and adults will find it charming. Read more
Published on 7 Dec 2008 by sft
out of this world
What a great little film!The story of 2 brothers who argue all the time,as the older one finds the younger one annoying,and the younger one wants his older brother's attention-is... Read more
Published on 28 Oct 2008 by C.Elder
It's Jumanji with a science fiction twist
Brothers Danny (Bobo) and Walter (Hutcherson) don't get along and when Danny finds a mysterious looking game in the basement, the pair are thrust into outer space. Read more
Published on 15 Oct 2008 by Stampy
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