Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)

User Rating:

6.3/10   

Director:

Jon Favreau

Writers (WGA):

Chris Van Allsburg (book)
David Koepp (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

11 November 2005 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

A New Adventure From the World of Jumanji

Plot:

Two young brothers are drawn into an intergalactic adventure when their house is magically hurtled through space because of the board game they are playing.

Plot Keywords:

Game | Board Game | Outer Space | Hair Dryer | Teenage Girl

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

US TV Schedule:

Thur. July 23	1:00 AM	TBS
Thur. July 23	10:00 AM	TBS

Cast

Jonah Bobo	...	Danny
Josh Hutcherson	...	Walter
Dax Shepard	...	Astronaut
Kristen Stewart	...	Lisa
Tim Robbins	...	Dad
Frank Oz	...	Robot (voice)
John Alexander	...	Robot
Derek Mears	...	Lead Zorgon
Douglas Tait	...	Zorgon
Joe Bucaro III	...	Zorgon (as Joe Bucaro)
Jeff Wolfe	...	Zorgon

Also Known As:

Zathura (International: English title) (short title) (USA) (promotional title)
Jumanji 2 (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG for fantasy action and peril, and some language.

Runtime:

113 min | USA:102 min (DVD version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS (8 channels)

Certification:

Singapore:PG | Canada:G (Quebec) | Canada:PG (Alberta/British Columbia/Manitoba/Nova Scotia/Ontario) | Finland:K-11 | Germany:6 | UK:PG (cut) | Czech Republic:U | Mexico:A | Australia:PG | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Ireland:PG | Brazil:Livre | Argentina:Atp | France:U | Sweden:11 | Hungary:14 | Philippines:G | Iceland:10 (original rating) | Iceland:12 (video rating) | South Korea:All | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

Columbia Pictures Corporation

Trivia:

Originally conceived as a direct sequel to Jumanji (1995). The visual effects supervisor on that film, Ken Ralston, was lined up to direct before Columbia abandoned the project in favor of adapting Zathura.

Goofs:

Factual errors: In an early scene, Danny asks his father to play "Smash Brothers". This is an obvious reference to a series of Nintendo games titled "Super Smash Bros." that is only available on the Gamecube and Nintendo 64. Danny is holding Sony Playstation 2 controllers.

Quotes:

Walter: [to Robot] Get me a juice box, BIATCH!

Movie Connections:

References Bullitt (1968)

Soundtrack:

Numb

jumanji for trekkies

i was expecting this film to merely be a decent way to waste some time like it's predecessor, but zathura is better. it's just as wacky as jumanji, but just seems to make more sense.

it's a little bit on the short side and i expected a few more action scenes, but what's there is pretty good.

the dialogue is funny, but was a little more edgy than i expected.

overall, the film moved along at a brisk pace and had some nice unexpected twists. it was nice to see that it was filmed as a retro "buck rogers type" sci-fi game, but with modern day action levels. it's a nice mix.

the film offers enough action to keep your attention and enough surprises to keep you guessing. it was a lot better than i expected it to be. it was fun.