Zathura: A Space Adventure (2005)

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 | Black Hole | Sandwich

Awards:

1 win & 3 nominations

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:

While the film was being made, Jonah Bobo (Danny) lost four teeth, so the filmmakers made 'flippers' or fake teeth that he wore, since the movie takes place in only a day.

Goofs:

Continuity: The circular saw that the defective robot grabs from the hatch in its back is shown in most shots to be held closely between the robots two fingers - except when the saw is being used to cut the fireplace; here the saw is shown to have a large hub between the blade and the holding fingers.

Quotes:

Lisa: You guys actually set the house on fire?

Movie Connections:

Featured in "Troldspejlet: (#35.8)" (2006)

Soundtrack:

Slippin'

We loved it- great family fun!

My son (age 10) liked Jumanji and is an avid reader. When he learned "Zathura" would be the next Van Allsburg book to come to the screen, he made me promise we'd see it.

We nearly missed our chance (it was at the second-run theater) but I am glad we made it. "Zathura" was excellent- we were riveted the entire time and my son THEN made me promise we'd buy the DVD when it was released! Since one of the main characters was a 10-year old boy like him, naturally I knew he'd like it. But I really liked it too and thought that every actor's performance was exactly right. Not cutesy in that "movie kid" kind of way, but very real. I flinched at some of the older brother's dialogue- it was so mean and angry toward the little brother. But that's how it is!! Kids are so mean. This movie did not shy away from it (OK, that set up the ending, but still).

Even the teen sister was great. Tim Robbins, as the harried dad (little screen time) was spot-on. Families of divorce have a whole separate set of behavioral rules to learn and live by, and this movie nailed it.

Thumbs-up from all of us!