Zathura : Une aventure spatiale

I've always liked Jumanji, but I've only heard very reserved reactions to Zathura. Yet I really see no reason not to indulge in this adventure. Chris Van Allsburg's original books are short, only 32 pages long, and they are the kind of texts that are best used to overwhelm a preschooler's attention span. That's why it's great to see how filmmakers can create such good feature films from such sparse material. True, the original Jumanji is also a good family film while Zathura is purely a children's film, but it is also very authentic in terms of the psychology of the relationship between the two brothers. The ideas in the universe are great, the kids' reactions are perfect, and surprisingly, Kristen Stewart (as the awkward older sister) fit in perfectly. Jon Favreau understands kids and that's why Marvel is doing so well today. (04/04/2020)

When little Kirsten Dunst argued with her brother in Jumanji, it resulted in an unforgettable adventure. In Zathura, the sibling trio argues much more, the storyline tries too conspicuously to copy its predecessor, but not only due to the dysfunctional ending, it miserably fails. Surprisingly forgettable game that does not measure up to the wild Robin Williams at all. (02/08/2006)

With the exception of the Harry Potter films or the animated series, there has been a decline in interest in children's films. That's why Zathura feels like a very enjoyable change of pace, perfectly capturing the spirit of most of director Jon Favreau's independent work. Instead of bombastic digital extravaganzas, it focuses more on uninhibited boys' adventure, which perfectly captivates its target audience - children around the age of 10 years - for 115 minutes. Adults may criticize the film for drawing too much inspiration from other movies. The industrial-futuristic look of the spaceship is reminiscent of Cameron's Aliens, and Debney's music is reminiscent of Arnold's soundtrack for Independence Day. But those who compare it to Jumanji are mistaken, as both films, along with their respective source material, are the work of the same person, Chris Van Allsburg, who is also responsible for The Polar Express. For adults, it can be considered a moderate sci-fi B-movie, while for young children, it guarantees an enjoyable experience. (15/01/2006)

Jumanji crossed with The Explorers... Two and a half stars. Children can add as many stars as they want, because unlike the aforementioned slightly more mature, original and funny films, Zathura is just a weak diversion for them. Yes, I really liked a few scenes, I was impressed with the little actor playing the younger brother, I have nothing to complain about in terms of the fabulous visuals, and the astronaut's exit was really cool, but it was still unnecessarily clamorous and too moralizing. (27/10/2012)

This is the space version of the popular film Jumanji, but somewhat weaker, less humorous, and with worse special effects due to its lower budget. On the other hand, it is still watchable, and it will especially be appreciated by children aged 6 to 12 and by those who occasionally like to return to their childhood, which is also my case. You have to forgive the naive appearance of the lizard monsters and the fact that it cheaply plays the proven string of family values, and you get an average children's adventure film worth a single watch. Overall impression: 50%. (17/01/2012)