Zathura (Special Edition)
by Jon Favreau
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Dax Shepard, Jonah Bobo, Josh Hutcherson, Kristen Stewart, Tim RobbinsDirector: Jon Favreau
Brand: Sony
DVD: Region Code 99
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Dubbed)
Format: Color, Dolby, Dubbed, DVD, Full Screen, NTSC, Special Edition, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: Anamorphic Widescreen, 1.85:1
Running Time: 113 minutes
Published: 2006-02-01
DVD Release Date: 2006-02-14
Audience Rating: PG (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
Movie Reviews of Zathura (Special Edition)
Movie Review: Excellent Family Entertainment: hits the mark without being pompous or preachy
Summary: 5 Stars
Lots of films with kids in lead roles feature inept dialog, bad acting, poor shooting and/or little or no plot, or are thinly disguised morality tales. Despite its not lighting up the Hollywood skies with box office success, Zathura is one of those rare and delightful exceptions that is really worth taking the time to see.
The film starts out showing the belligerent behavior of a 10 year old boy towards his younger brother, and the 6 year old's response, during a front yard game of catch with their father. After Dad goes out for an errand, the 6 year old finds a "space" game in the basement - Zathura - and his older brother resentfully agrees to play it with him. It turns out that the game changes reality - as they learn when a meteor shower hits the living room, followed by the discovery that their house is now orbiting what appears to be a fiery planet.
The boys overcome increasingly terrifying challenges as the movie progresses, learning to trust and love each other (and themselves) more and more, as they work to protect each other as each new catastrophe occurs.
Their older sister joins in and learns to love and trust her younger siblings as well, though she doesn't have a significant role until the latter half of the film - a side effect of being cryogenically frozen by the game early-on (and the source of several humorous moments and sight gags during the course of the film).
Without being "preachy", the film provides strong lessons on the value and importance of family, and of working together to solve problems.
The performances of all of the actors are superb and very believable. The writing, direction and special effects are all excellent. Humorous moments and dialog, some of it REALLY funny, kept the audience laughing throughout the film, and helped to lighten things up in between some of the really intense scenes.
This is a "must-see" film, right up there with the best children's films I've ever seen. Even so, due to the intensity, I would not recommend it for very young children (5-6 years of age or under), and some older pre-teens should probably see the film with an adult.
Given that the film hits the mark in terms of quality, provides an excellent message of the importance of family, does a good job of reaching its intended audience, and treats them with respect, I'll give it 5 stars: good entertainment, and a "must have" for any parent's DVD collection.
Summary of Zathura (Special Edition)
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