Susan Granger’s review of “Zathura: A Space Adventure” (Columbia Pictures)
From the enchanted world of “Jumanji” comes this wondrous outer-space fantasy-fable.
When the harried father (Tim Robbins) of six year-old Danny (Jonah Bobo) and ten year-old Walter (Josh Hutcherson) leaves them in the care of their teenage sister (Kristen Stewart), Danny discovers a mysterious ’50s-style tin board game, Zathura. Immediately, the bickering brothers realize something extraordinary is happening: their house has been blasted into outer space and is being bombarded by meteors. But they’re not alone. There’s a loud, dangerous, malfunctioning robot and a stranded astronaut (Dax Shepard), along with reptilian carnivores called Zorgons. Worst of all, they’re being sucked into the dark void of Zathura – and they must keep playing!
Acclaimed children’s author Chris Van Allsburg wrote “Jumanji” and “The Polar Express,” which, on-screen, were filled with high-tech, computer-generated imagery. Instead, screenwriters David Koepp and John Kamps, led by actor-turned-director Jon Favreau (“Elf”), favor a wind-up, low-tech, episodic, “Buck Rogers” and “Hardy Boys” approach, leaving far more to the imagination. And it works, teaching a gentle lesson in cooperation and brotherly love that strikes an emotional chord – without any of the menacing “Jumanji” mean-spiritedness.
Both child actors are impressive, as is wry “Punk’d” comedian Dax Shepard. J. Michael Riva’s retro ‘spacecraft’ production design and John Debney’s score cleverly emphasize the creaky, clunky, claustrophobic, yet magical and unpredictable feeling that Favreau has deliberately created. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, “Zathura” zings with an action-packed, adventurous 8. It’s a PG, family-friendly film that everyone can enjoy.
