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Back Shelf Beauties
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Zathura If it sounds like Jumanji, looks like Jumanji and feels like Jumanji, you'd be right. Of course, it's based on a book by the author of Jumanji, Chris Van Allsburg, so he's allowed to plagiarize himself to the maximum amount of profit he can gain from it. Ain't that the American way! Josh Hutcherson and Jonah Bobo star as Walter and Danny - two brothers who constantly fight and compete as they deal with Mom and Dad's (Tim Robbins) divorce. Dad has moved into an older and somewhat creepy house, where Danny discovers a mysterious game named Zathura in the basement. It requires two players to participate in a magical trip through space, but Walter and Danny are in for the adventure of a lifetime when the game comes to life, their house starts to float through space, and they must find a way to get back to Earth. Can Walter and Danny put aside their difference to solve this problem together? Will they ever get back home? Fans of The Apprentice are fully aware of Zathura after the infamous contest where competing teams had to design a parade float for the movie (that Kristi was soooooo annoying and bossy), and know Donald Trump thinks Zathura is the greatest movie ever made, but the rest of you probably are trying to pronounce the title. Suffice it to say, Zathura follows many of the same plot twists and themes of Jumanji (without the presence of Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst), but still entertains even if you have seen this story before. Directed by Swingers star and Elf director Jon Favreau, and produced by Peter "The kid from A Christmas Story is all grown up and investing his TBS residuals" Billingsley, Zathura is a fun, imaginative adventure for kids and adults that needs some help in the special effects department, but keeps you interested throughout. It seems Favreau is becoming the Go To Guy when the production house doesn't want to break the bank on special effects and is satisfied with monsters played by guys dressed up in rubber masks (for as funny as Elf was, those super fake North Pole sets drove me nuts), but he does have a nice touch that humanizes these fantastical stories and causes the audience to root for the heroes, even if the danger doesn't always seem too scary. Favreau doesn't let the story become too complex, and gives his actors plenty of room to do their jobs, which leads to some decent performances. Bobo proves to be the best of the ensemble as he is the most convincing when portraying sadness, fear, and anger (look out Dakota Fanning! This kid is ready to snap up your roles when you hit the awkward teen years). He has a strong chemistry with Hutcherson, which might make you think they really were brothers as they bicker and care for each other when facing amazing hardship. Dax Shepard gets by as he brings a natural and parental feel to his mysterious character (although, he is too stiff at times), while Robbins finds a nice balance between being a loving Dad and a guy who is frustrated by the new living situation. Parents of young children should be warned Zathura is not for everyone. When I saw the movie, one young 4-year old girl had to leave the theater when the action got a bit intense for her, and the script calls for one of the child actors to call his older sister a "beeotch", which might not be what Mom and Dad want to hear junior calling his sister on the way home from the Cineplex (there are other questionable words in the movie, check out my pals www.moviemom.com and www.screenit.com for more info). Other than those two issues, I thought Zathura was a fun movie for the family. 3 Waffles (Out Of 4) Copyright 2005 - WaffleMovies.com
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