He plays catch on his expansive suburban lawn with 10-year-old Walter (Josh Hutcherson) and the six-year-old Danny (Jonah Bobo), but that ends in bad feelings because each sibling competes for dad’s attention and when not doing that are busy bickering with each other. Writers David Koepp and John Kamps keep the narrative hopping with fun and games.Ī harried divorced art designer dad (Tim Robbins) has the squabbling kids for a few days, as they shuttle back and forth from mom and dad. The actor-turned-filmmaker Jon Favreau (“Elf”) helms this kidpic with passion for the kiddies and leaves some love for the adult set (I cynically say mostly Hollywood suits anticipating big box office returns). Zathura follows the same type of formula as Jumanji, of kids faced with danger when a board game gets out of control. (director: Jon Favreau screenwriters: David Koepp/John Kamps/based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg cinematographer: Guillermo Navarro editor: Dan Lebental music: John Debney cast: Josh Hutcherson (Walter), Jonah Bobo (Danny), Dax Shepard (the Astronaut), Kristen Stewart (Lisa), Tim Robbins (Dad) Runtime: 113 MPAA Rating: PG producers: William Teitler/Scott Kroopf/Michael De Luca Columbia Pictures 2005) “Drips with 1950s nostalgia.”Ī de facto sequel to “Jumanji,” based on Chris Van Allsburg’s 32-page book.

Zathura a space adventure book