The six-year-old Danny (Jonah Bobo) often finds himself being far less skilled in several activities common for children than his slightly older brothers Walter (Josh Hutcherson).  Danny’s skill discrepancy has become a major issue in his life and has brought on low self-esteem, as his brother exploits the situation by showing off.  Their father, performed by Tim Robbins, tries to balance his attention equally among them, work, deadlines, and the time they do not live with their mother.  It is a difficult job for him while trying to provide the best possible home for them.  Nonetheless, Danny finds himself physically and emotionally bullied by Walter, as he most of the time finds him annoying.  Yet, they spend a lot of time together, which forces Walter to pay attention to Danny and play with him.  On occasion they are left on their own, as they are in this story when their father has return to work and leaves them under their older sister’s supervision.  However, she is far too self-centered and focuses most on getting her beauty sleep.

After one of the sibling’s skirmishes, Walter sends Danny to the basement where he discovers an old board game called Zathura.  Danny brings the game to the living room where he wants to play the game with his brother, but Walter is completely uninterested.  Without anyone to play with, Danny opens and begins to play by himself, awe how the game initially operates.  After his piece has moved by some old fashion machinery inside the game, a card materializes out of the game.  The card says, “METEOR SHOWER.  Take evasive action.”  Unaware what he activated, Danny seeks shelter together with his brother, as the living room is bombarded by small burning meteors that cut through the room like rocks through air.  In shock, the two brothers begin to realize what has just happened, as they must now finish what Danny has set in motion.

It sends Danny and Walter on an amazing journey where they are about to test their affection and caring for one another.  The dangers that emerge could have costly consequences, but with the right decisions they might just get through the perilous adventure of the Zathura game.  Throughout the story, the audience will learn several valuable lessons of forgiveness, understanding, and compassion among others.  What is even more intriguing is that the story is told through the eyes of a child, which enhances its fascination for the younger viewers.  Furthermore, the hazardous events in the film bring about an adult and childish atmosphere at the same time, which undoubtedly further children’s interest to the story.  In retrospect, Zathura might present an already used idea, but the story is far more elaborated than Jumanji.  It makes me wish that this were the first time I saw the concept, which might have made me love this already terrific science fiction tale even more.

Jon Favreau truly loves his calling, and Zathura radiates this throughout the whole film.  However, the reuse of the coming alive board game from Jumanji hurts the overall cinematic experience, yet it is still a wonderful tale with suspense, drama, and entertainment for all ages.  In essence, Zathura is a definitely a film I would strongly recommend to younger viewers and for older people to see in order to find their younger selves once again.

DIRECTED BY

COUNTRY

USA

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