 ZathuraMPAA Rating:
 for fantasy action and peril, and some languageReviewed by: Bob Rossiter Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Kids, Family
Genre:
Action, Based on a Book, Fantasy, Kids, Science Fiction
Length:
1 hr. 35 min.
Year of Release:
2005
      Adventure is waiting. / A new adventure from the world of “Jumanji” Ok, I have to admit it. I wasn’t a big fan of “Jumanji”. “Zathura”, on the other hand, is a different story. I disliked the spiritism of “Jumanji”, but that element is gone from the sequel. This is one of the best movie adaptations of a children’s book I’ve seen. The movie starts off with two brothers, Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and Danny (Jonah Bobo), fighting for dad’s attention (played by Tim Robbins). Both are dealing with security and personal-worth issues because of the divorce of their parents. Walter, the older one, inwardly blames his brother for the divorce, and feels Danny gets more attention. He copes by battling for attention and constantly making “put-down” remarks about, and to, his brother. Danny looks up to his big brother and wants to enjoy time with him, but also feels worthless compared to him. The only way Danny can think of to feel important is to cheat at games with Walter, so he does it regularly. One of Walter’s acts of meanness is what leads to the discovery of the game. Danny hides from him in a dumbwaiter, but when Walter finds him there, he forcibly lowers Danny to the basement. Danny finds the game and brings it upstairs, wanting Walter to play Zathura with him. Danny starts the game board moving, which places them in space and forces them to work together to get back home. After the game first starts, they realize they are in over their heads, so they wake their sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart). While trying to show her the game, however, she gets placed in cryogenic sleep. They are on their own to find a solution to their predicament. Walter and Danny don’t know how to work together, so the game places them in deeper and deeper trouble. They rescue a stranded astronaut (Dax Shepard) who seems to have insight into both space and the game. He tries to teach the boys they must love each other and learn to work together if they are to ever win the game and get home. There are a lot of family pressures revealed in the movie, but due to the important topics being dealt with, I did not feel this overdone. Some discussion with young viewers is recommended, however, on what sibling relationships should be like. There is a lot of intense action violence as Walter and Danny learn what it really takes to win at the game—and at life. At one point, Danny cheats, so the game ejects Walter from the game (and into space). There is also a scene with lizard-like aliens that some younger children could have a hard time with, but the music is probably more dramatic at that point than the action. There are about a half-dozen light obscenities and an equal number of times that God’s name is misused. There are also two times when Lisa is shown getting out of bed wearing just short shorts and a tank top. There is no sexual activity or comments other than a statement from Lisa that the astronaut has beautiful eyes. Walter later teases her about liking his eyes. “Zathura” successfully deals with several difficult topics. One theme is that bad attitudes can crop up between siblings when a tragedy like divorce occurs in a family. The movie then teaches that the poor choices we make effect others. It also shows how important unity is when dealing with a crisis. Because these themes are the primary focus of this movie, I think “Zathura” is acceptable, as long as children are old enough to handle the action. The acting is good and the special effects excellent. Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: Minor Year of Release — 2005 / USA release: November 11, 2005 (wide).  Neutral - I took my 10 year-old son and his 9 year-old friend to a “sneak peek” viewing of “Zathura” based only on the commercials we had seen and the assumption that “it’s only rated PG, so it’s probably okay.” Although the story was very creative, and the special effects were impressive, I feel the fright value was VERY high for a PG movie. So much so, that my son and his friend covered their eyes and ears quite a bit and finally asked if we could leave because it was just too scary. Their fright came from too much suspense in not knowing what was going to happen next, and too many “jump in your seat” surprises. There was also a considerable amount of course language and profanity. Neutral - As a sci-fi movie “Zathura” is fairly entertaining. If you liked “Jumanji”, you’ll most likely enjoy “Zathura”. Think “Jumanji” in space, and you get the picture. The only real problem I had with this film is the inappropriate use of profanity by young children. A 6 yr. old child calls his brother a slang word of the male body part. His older brother also used the “B” word. Totally inappropriate and unnecessary. Why does Hollywood insist on doing this? Positive - My 14 year old son and I went on opening day. Besides a plot that was foretold in “Jumanji” there were several unexpected twists. You will find your self laughing out loud several times throughout the movie. There were two objectionable words said by the older brother during the first 15 minutes of the movie. No sexual overtones from the boys at all. All in all it was an entertaining film that I will probably end up buying. Neutral - Saw “Zathura” with my 12 year-old-daughter. A few observations: This move is LOUD (amplified noise level), and it is DARK (very few daytime scenes). So these two elements add to the “intensity” of many of the scenes. The effects were good, and the movie moved along at a nice pace. While I did not like some the language, it was mild compared to what I overhear when I am at the mall and a pack of pre-teens pass. I enjoyed watching Walter “mature” during the film - from a person who agitates his brother to becoming the protector of his brother. This growth made for a nice talking point with my daughter afterwards. Bravery in the face of adversity and learning to think about others instead of oneself are two themes to talk about. Positive - The movie of the year has finally arrived for those who were
anticipating the long awaited sequel to Jumanji. Zathura is the
story of a two boys being raised by a divorced father, both
struggling to find as much love and attention from their ever
loving father. Yes, I said “ever loving” father, played by Tim
Robbins. The fatherly image in this movie is just awesome,
showing that it is indeed possible to be a positive and loving role
model to your kids, while still displaying strength and leadership. Neutral - My ten year old son was hiding during a lot of the movie. I feel there was way to much suspense/scare to be a PG film. It was a great movie. I enjoyed it a lot. The only other “bad” thing I would say about it is some offensive language is used that I really didn ’t appreciate my son hearing. Negative - The incest overtones in this movie were clear, so much so that I can ’t believe no one else has commented on them. The teenage girl is smitten with the astronaut, who turns out to be her brother at an older age. She learns this and exclaims, “And to think that I wanted to--” She wanted to have sex with the astronaut. I see no other way to interpret it. She had earlier complimented the astronaut on his eyes and later her brother asks if she still thinks he has beautiful eyes, just to reinforce the notion that she was physically attracted to her brother. This has no place in any children ’s movie. Comments from young people
Positive - …I liked it. …a lot of fun; the only objection to it is practically the first thing the younger brother says is a rather shocking insult to his brother.… Neutral - I thought it was a good movie overall, but there were a few blemishes. There was a part at the beginning where the smaller brother, 6, called his other brother, 10, a slang word for a male body part and their older sister, 17, cusses 2 times, and they use the word “suck” I do not recommend taking smaller kids, because my friend ’s little brother, 6, almost cried in the movie 'cause it was so intense, and the sister near the beginning walked around in her underwear. But, overall, I thought it was a good movie. Neutral - I went to see this movie with my two teenaged brothers and our aunt. The movie had pretty cool visual effects. Some parts of the movie did not make sense, like when the astronaut had been floating around in space for many years and had not run out of oxygen — and how the kids were just fine without oxygen tanks or masks. Also when they finally returned home that they just agreed not to tell anyone about their traumatic experience in space, that they were just fine after almost being killed. It was a good movie, and I don ’t regret seeing it, but I wouldn ’t dish out the money to see it in the theater, wait for it to come to the video store. Positive - An excellent movie for young kids and young teens Positive - I was expecting this movie to be another cheezy kids movie; I was wrong, it was really good. I watched this movie with my 14 yr. old brother and my parents. We all loved it. There were a few objectional explanations, but I personally didn ’t find them that extreme. The movie is pretty suspenseful and has a neat twist near the end. I don ’t think it would be the best movie for little kids. Anyone over 9, in my opinion, could handle it. This movie is worth seeing. Neutral - Pretty well acted film, though not entirly innocent. These little kids go on a rather disturbing adventure, and some little kids may not be able to catch what’s going on. There was no violence to even mention. (And whatever there was involves a “robot” getting smashed.) Me and my brother watched it, and at one point, the little bro calls the older one, something worse than a “B****.” All in all, this movie was, OK. |
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