Whether it''s a sequel, a parallel story or just by the same author, "Zathura" is a lot like "Jumanji." The movie is about
a couple of kids who play a game that ends being a little more real than they were expecting - only this time it''s set in
space, and not quite as good.
"Elf" director Jon Favreau is behind "Zathura" (or, according to one of "The Apprentice" contestants, "Zenthura"), and he is definitely becoming a mainstay director. With a little-known cast (other than Tim Robbins who has a very small role) and probably not a gigantic budget, "Zathura" is a fun and action-filled movie filled with meteor showers, deadly robots and blood-thirsty aliens - all wrapped into a hard PG rating.
The movie starts off great, establishing how siblings Danny (Jonah Bobo) and Walter (Josh Hutcherson) get on each other''s nerves. The two boys are absolutely terrific off one another; their constant, berating exchanges seem very natural and believable. When nine-year old Danny finds a game in the basement called Zathura, the film immediately kicks into high gear, as their house gets transported into outer space, bombarded by meteors and attacked by a poorly-programmed robot.