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Reviews
STAR RATINGS EXPLAINED
Unmissable 5 Stars
Excellent 4 Stars
Good 3 Stars
Poor 2 Stars
Tragic 1 Star

POSTER ART
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FILM DETAILS
Certificate
PG
Cast
Jonah Bobo
Tim Robbins
Kristen Stewart
.
Directors
Jon Favreau.
Screenwriters
Running Time
minutes

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Zathura
Two more bored kids, another board game; this time, it's space...


Plot
While bored and stuck at home, two bickering brothers find an old boardgame in the cellar that transports them to outer space. Unless they can successfully complete the game and reach the planet Zathura, they will be trapped there forever.

Review
Zathura
Browse more images »
From the same world — and indeed author — as Jumanji, Jon Favreau’s interstellar fantasy treads familiar ground as two children uncover a mysterious, musty old board game. Catapulted into the depths of space, brothers Walter and Danny brave meteor showers, malfunctioning robots and the occasional sibling squabble.

Slick visuals make up what the film lacks in story, but it’s the young actors at Zathura’s heart that prove its real strength. The pair deliver effortless performances and successfully carry the entire film with a bare minimum of adult interference


Verdict
Charming children's adventure with some superb performances from the young cast.


Reviewed by James Dyer


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Zathura
 

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Your Reviews

Average user rating for Zathura
Empire Star Rating

I like it! ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by harvestmoon at 14:21, 28 April 2011 | Report This Post


Very good

The excellence of family entertainment. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by mrdoom14 at 12:50, 08 June 2007 | Report This Post


RE: Zathura

Wow! I didnt expect a good movie out of this! When the reviewer Mark Kermode went on and on about the 'Zorgons' about how scary they are. He must be kidding. An overall good movie and definately beats jumanji. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by rockerjo at 16:29, 28 January 2007 | Report This Post


Zathura

Zathura is basically the same as Jumanji only in space. Again just like Jumanji, it deals with family issues and is a great movie for kids. And just like Jumanji, it lacks in story but makes up for it in great visuals. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Movie Mogul 6 at 06:07, 08 November 2006 | Report This Post


A Good Adventure

This is a great film for the family. Although the aliens may be distressing, it still makes this adventure what it really is - a ride. It has its up's and down's, the special effects may not be state of the ark but they are seen believable. The young actors, working with Jon Favreau as director, does a fine job with them, and with putting real energy into the film. Its very similar to Jumanji, but more to do with aliens in space rather than animals in a jungle. Still, little young kids should be... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by cruticus at 08:37, 27 March 2006 | Report This Post


Zathura

Thrilling movie like Jumanji set in space. Brilliant. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by premierbaron at 21:44, 18 March 2006 | Report This Post


how awesome??

*SPOILERS* I only just saw this film last night with my aunt and uncle but i thought it awesome...great special effects but the zorgons were a bit wierd! the two little kids were great actors and i thought the twist with the stranded astronaught being an older Walter was good too. Dax Shepard anyone? I thought he was great in without a paddle and really really good in this too. also great sound etc etc great family film goes right up there with the goonies and other classic family flicks. be... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by sarah 23 at 18:17, 25 February 2006 | Report This Post


DECENT

Went to see it the other day, as a concept and a prmise it was fairly interesting, the budgetary restraines are evident, but all credit to Favreau for making the film as a stage piece, it worked for me. The only setback were the kids, the OLDER one in particular, could have been so much more interesting if they had more able children to play the bickering siblings, budgetary restraines went a bit too far a guess!!!!! ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by omarx at 15:00, 20 February 2006 | Report This Post


This is how modern kids movies should be made!

My title says it all! It has all the charm of an 80's kids movie along with the special effects of a modern film. The older brother was dissappointing but the otherwise stellar cast made up for it! ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Jose Chungs Doomsday at 17:54, 10 February 2006 | Report This Post


Great Fun

A great sequel, as good as or maybe better than Jumanji, full of great special FX and ideas. It drags a touch in the talky second half but at the end you realise this is important. Highly recommended. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Caster at 23:03, 08 February 2006 | Report This Post


Great Fun

A great sequel, as good as or maybe better than Jumanji, full of great special FX and ideas. It drags a touch in the talky second half but at the end you realise this is important. Highly recommended. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Caster at 23:02, 08 February 2006 | Report This Post


Better than Jumanji

This had some great special effects, some touching moments and some great action. The film really absorbs you in its environment. The problems I could see were the dodgy aliens and the older brother who was, as Empire say, emotionless to everything going on. It's a must-see, though. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by cluesy at 19:39, 07 February 2006 | Report This Post


Jumanji Lite

I took my two kids to see this last night and what a disappointment. Whilst Jumanji, (the film that this a sequel to in everything but name) had originality, suspense and a great sense of humour, Zathura is a stodgy pudding of a movie, lacking all of the above. Although the film contains scenes of moderate fantasy menace (BBFC) there is nothing that makes either kids or grown ups stay hooked - it is a disjointed series of stunts based on the game play. Add plot holes so wide you can put your fis... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by Mikehall1970 at 17:05, 05 February 2006 | Report This Post


Zathura

Cracking SFX and a rollicking great family film. Saw this Friday and am still buzzing from it! Well worth a look and will appeal to small and big kids. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by timpeel at 10:38, 05 February 2006 | Report This Post


RE: My film year started with this

Saw this today, and loved it!   A bit cliched in lessons and family, but amazing FX and great script meant it was still utter fab! Well worth seeing!   4/5 ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by DJ Rob C: Mark II! at 18:57, 04 February 2006 | Report This Post


My film year started with this

I took my six year old soon to see this, and it was one of those great bonding moments that I'll keep close to my heart and yeah, my son discovered the power of darned fine cinema. Great sounds - listen to the meteor storm! - some wry nods to familial issues nipping in Speilbergs lake, and of course the obligatory special special effects. Phenomenal. Meant as much to me as it did my son. A real treat. ... More

Empire User Rating

Posted by applegatejohn at 02:58, 31 January 2006 | Report This Post



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