Zathura

reviewed by Jane Louise Boursaw

Suggested Ages: MPAA Rating: Star Rating:
8+ PG *****


This movie tells the story of two squabbling brothers -- 6-year-old Danny and 10-year-old Walter -- who find an ancient board game called Zathura in the basement of their old house. From the first move, they realize that this is no ordinary board game. The spaceship marker moves by itself, and when it lands on a space, a card is ejected which reads, "Meteor shower, take evasive action." The house is immediately pummeled from above by hot, molten meteors. When they look up through the gaping hole in their roof, they discover that they've been propelled into deep, dark outer space!

On their space odyssey, Danny and Walter (Jonah Bobo and Josh Hutcherson) are joined by a stranded astronaut (Dax Shepard) and must face several obstacles, including hostile reptilian creatures called Zorgons, a jet-propelled robot run amok, and an intergalactic spaceship battle. But that's nothing compared to their greatest challenge -- an intense gravitational pull that's drawing them into the void of the dark planet Zathura. Unless they can work together to finish the game, they're doomed to be trapped in outer space forever!

Meanwhile, their older sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart), is also aboard their spaceship -- er, house. She's supposed to be looking after the boys while their father (Tim Robbins) is at work.

Contrary to some reports, this movie is technically not a sequel to 1995's Jumanji, although both were written by best-selling author Chris Van Allsburg, who also wrote The Polar Express.

PRE-SCHOOLER (ages 2-5): The special effects and villains in this movie -- especially the hulking Zorgons, giant robots and space battles -- are too intense for little ones. For some gentler space capers, tune them into Little Einsteins (8 a.m. weekdays, Disney Channel). This is an interactive show about four kids on a mission of fun and exploration in their musical spaceship, Rocket. Also available on DVD.

GRADE-SCHOOLER (ages 6-10): Although this movie will likely be too intense for 6- and 7-year-olds, kids 8 and up should be ok with it (although you might find them hanging on to you during some scenes). And what kid hasn't fantasized about a house that travels through space? Now they can live that fantasy through the big screen. Grade-schoolers will also be able to identify with Walter and Danny, who must learn to work together to get their wayward house back onto solid ground again.

TWEEN/TEEN (ages 11+): 15-year-old Kristen Stewart will be a draw for this age group, as well as a meteor-shower of jokes that appeal to all ages. This is also one of those movies that makes you feel like a kid again -- marveling at the vast beauty of deep space, you truly believe that a house really COULD magically hurtle through space. At the same time, it's a movie that celebrates families and hope, something director Jon Favreau took to heart. "I like stories that offer hope and films that have responsible themes. When you're making a movie for young people, there should be a nice message at the core." That's something we can all use a little more of.
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Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance writer specializing in the television and movie industry. Her syndicated column, "Reel Life With Jane," is published in papers throughout the country. Email her at jboursaw@charter.net.

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