It's never a good sign when a film has two strikes
against it before the opening credits start to roll.
First of all, "Zathura's" nearly unpronounceable title
brings to mind such other misfires as "Gigli" and the
forgettable Vin Diesel sci-fi epic "The Xgcler of
Rrnmlx". It also doesn't help that the film is more or
less a follow-up to pop-cultural punchline "Jumanji"
which is best remembered as the terrible Robin
Williams film that wasn't "Patch Adams" or "Hook" or
"Toys" or, well you get the idea.

However, it would be a mistake to judge "Zathura"
simply because it sort of resembles a ten year old
movie starring some asshole in a beard. Regardless of
how mediocre this film may appear it's actually a rock
solid film guaranteed to entertain the entire family
from your diaper clad nephew right up to your diaper
clad father-in-law.

"Zathura" opens on a deceptively unpromising note as
we're introduced to bickering brothers Walter (Josh
Hutcherson) and Danny (Jonah Bobo), two thoroughly
irritating pre-teens whose unbearable squabbling will
try the patience of even those who actually like
children. Fortunately, the film picks up a little
steam when Danny stumbles upon the titular boardgame
after he's locked in the basement by his brother
Walter. Somehow this retro space adventure toy causes
the boys' house to take off into orbit and now they
must work together in order to guide themselves
safely back to earth. But that won't be easy
especially when they're constantly victimized by
rampaging robots, lizard-like aliens and disturbing
four eyed goats.

Unlike the aforementioned "Jumanji" and last year's
vomit inducing "Polar Express", "Zathura" retains the
charming simplicity of Chris Van Allsburg's original
storybook and never once turns into a glittering
eyesore. Director Jon Favreau (who's also responsible
for the charming Christmas comedy "Elf") doesn't allow
the film to become overly sentimental or sappy it's a
simple stream-lined adaptation that doesn't pile on
any unnecessary details. Favreau has given us a
wonderfully realized sci-fi universe and it's a blast
watching these kids stumble their way through it.
Unfortunately, at times "Zathura" can be more than a
little wrong headed. The film's obvious message about
the importance of teamwork is overbearing. There's
also a time traveling plot twist that makes very
little sense and during the finale an unfunny and
genuinely out of place gag about incest is crammed
into the film for some mysterious reason. Both moments
are such major missteps they nearly crush the movie
under the weight of their own stupidity.

Without a doubt "Zathura" is a fun and engaging
little film but this still doesn't change the fact
that it plays like the longest and most expensive
episode of "The Twilight Zone" ever made.