I saw it on telly years ago. Couldn't understand why I had never heard of it before. Great film, just the sort of thing studios dislike making now. Well-written, well-acted, well-crafted.
I'm one of those who watched "Chicken Little" at the theater with my then-GF/later-wife/later-still-ex-wife and her young daughter. It was actually a pretty good movie, and much better than I'd expected. The marketing department did "Zathura" a huge disservice, turning away a considerable portion of the potential audience. While "Jumanji in SPACE!!" isn't exactly an inaccurate assessment, as the premise is nearly identical, "Zathura" DOES stand on its own. It lacks Robin Williams and his immense charm, but the acting, direction, and special effects are otherwise as good or better than "Jumanji." It's not brilliant, but it's entertaining, and it's certainly one of the better, family-friendly options of the last few decades.
I actually liked Zathura. What sci-fi loving child has not turned their house into a spaceship zipping through the cosmos? That movie pretty much encompassed all of that.
Thanks, GFR! I should give this movie another viewing. For some reasons I can't remember, _Zathura_ just never clicked when I saw it in a theater. The clip you played of the opening theme music reminds me of _Galaxy Quest,_ which I love. Lord knows I've seen lots of SF crap in recent years; maybe _Zathura_ would be a pleasant change, evocative of simpler times (as kids) and better writing.
This film and its amazing animation led to the director, John Favreu, becoming the director for Iron Man. I remember watching this and really enjoying it when it was new...
I was a little too old to be into it, but it absolutely looks like a great movie, and yes sci-fi fans and Jumanji fans are vastly different, huge marketing mistake.
I hate to admit i was one of the people who didn't bother watching Zathura when it initially released. The trailers made it seem like a lame Jumanji knock off, but without the charm of Robin Williams. I saw it later and was amazed by how good it was. It was actually Better than Jumanji imo.
I saw Zathura in the theatres and loved it. What a great movie. Jon Favreau is a genius, Zathura, Iron Man and the MCU. He's also behind the ONLY Will Ferrel movie I can stomach.
One subject you brought up is that movies like this have to compete with franchise films. I have to agree that it is a uphill battle for these movies that people don't really know about half the contend with popular movies that comes out in the same year. Sometimes these popular movies or genres that attracts more people are not even that well good and people will forget them in a few years. Take Twilight for example. I can't tell you how many times I come across Twilight pre-owned movies in a rack at a place that accepts them. But movies like "zathura" goes unnoticed. Sometimes people don't even know about them. One movie that people don't consider is "Star Kid" that had a kid being bullied that got pulled into a intergalactic battle for an alien Ironman suit. Which the movie came out a few years earlier. I saw "Zathura" on VHS when it came out. I didn't even knew about that until it was all ready out. Another possibility resin that movie don't do well is the amount of time and money people can take off to see these films. I can't tell you how many times I heard people say " where do they think this stuff up.". Even with cult film like, The NeverEnding story, labyrinth, the Dark crystal, Conan, the Beastmaster, Lost in Space, Star Trek, Star Wars, the MCU, DC comic movies, and many more to name a few. Other movies I know that didn't do so well but I thoroughly enjoy, are. Spaced Invaders Masters of the Universe Titan A.E. Explorers Small Solder Warriors of Virtues The Forbidden Kingdom (which was way better than "last air bender" live action movie. Bulletproof Monk And many more. Note: I'm trying to keep the movie I mentioned to be PG-13 or lower for family friendly.)
I loved this film but only saw it a few years ago. I don't even remember it being released so there was no chance I would have seen it in the theater. I highly recommend it though and I would definitely watch it again.
I love this movie. I can't claim it to be among my absolute favorites today, but it used to be and is still in my "second tier" favorites. Unfortunately, I didn't see it (or the Harry Potter film that did it in) in theaters because I was in the Navy and crossing the Atlantic (going away from home) at the time. I searched long and hard to find it recently, and ended up having to settle for a three-pack with Jumanji (the original) and Goosebumps. I already had all three Jumanji movies and have still never seen Goosebumps (I really should watch it), but I would happily have paid twice as much for Zathura alone so I can't complain.
The Zorgons bring to mind Galaxy Quest (1999) which had good CGI but all those Stan Winston puppets for Saris and his crew, the true-form Thermians, and the Pig Lizard. Lost In Space (1998) had a beautiful Henson Creature Shop robot but the CGI monkey was a cartoonish eyesore.
Truly a good movie. Maybe it was a bit more scary than one might have expected it to be, making an audience looking for something lighter somewhat uncomfortable.
Not sure why many critics didn't connect with the original Jumanji, that to me is the best in the franchise. However Zathura is on equal ground by using the same concept in it's own way, of a game that forces the players to confront their problems - far from a mere reskin (the Next level does much more copying, but I enjoy those movies too). And your right about the practicle effects, it probably stands a bit above Jumanji that way, which does have the taint of 1996 cgi, even if it's in service of the story.
This was Jumangi in space, that's all it was. Sure the story was different but that's not a reason to like it. I barely remember seeing this as I was bored half way through it. This is why audiences back in the day ignored this film. Critically, sure it was a well made film but that doesn't mean it was a good film to watch. I think you're trying WAY TOO HARD to make a case that this barely watchable movie is somehow a classic. The only reason I'm watching this again is to show the younger ones what kind of movie to avoid wasting money on.
Jumanji was an enjoyable film to watch but not stunning. At the time sequels were crap and the public knew that. Jumanji in space was automatically not worth going out to see. I watched it on VHS and ... yep ... Meh. As a consumer I am not impressed by the brilliance the creators have done. I am impressed by the magic they share with me when my bum is on the cinema seat.
I actually liked Zathura. What sci-fi loving child has not turned their house into a spaceship zipping through the cosmos? That movie pretty much encompassed all of that.
Always loved the vintage vibe of this flick. It’s an excellent Christmas picture for all the family after the meal.
That Craftsman style house was a stroke of genius, even though it resembled Doc Brown's house in "Back to the Future."
I prescreened our theatres 35mm print the night before to check for quality. I loved this film. It was so much fun
I saw it on telly years ago. Couldn't understand why I had never heard of it before. Great film, just the sort of thing studios dislike making now. Well-written, well-acted, well-crafted.
I'm one of those who watched "Chicken Little" at the theater with my then-GF/later-wife/later-still-ex-wife and her young daughter. It was actually a pretty good movie, and much better than I'd expected.
The marketing department did "Zathura" a huge disservice, turning away a considerable portion of the potential audience. While "Jumanji in SPACE!!" isn't exactly an inaccurate assessment, as the premise is nearly identical, "Zathura" DOES stand on its own. It lacks Robin Williams and his immense charm, but the acting, direction, and special effects are otherwise as good or better than "Jumanji."
It's not brilliant, but it's entertaining, and it's certainly one of the better, family-friendly options of the last few decades.
I actually liked Zathura. What sci-fi loving child has not turned their house into a spaceship zipping through the cosmos? That movie pretty much encompassed all of that.
Thanks, GFR! I should give this movie another viewing. For some reasons I can't remember, _Zathura_ just never clicked when I saw it in a theater. The clip you played of the opening theme music reminds me of _Galaxy Quest,_ which I love. Lord knows I've seen lots of SF crap in recent years; maybe _Zathura_ would be a pleasant change, evocative of simpler times (as kids) and better writing.
You're welcome!
I love this movie, still love watching it even today.
This film and its amazing animation led to the director, John Favreu, becoming the director for Iron Man. I remember watching this and really enjoying it when it was new...
Me too, Thank you for sharing, I'm glad you appreciate the film.
Happy to have edited this one! Now we just need a Mac and Me video…
We love here. My 8 years old has watched it so many times
Saw it in the theater opening weekend and loved it!!
Brilliant revue of a perfect movie - thanks.
I could never watch them destroy that beautiful Craftsman home again
I was a little too old to be into it, but it absolutely looks like a great movie, and yes sci-fi fans and Jumanji fans are vastly different, huge marketing mistake.
Saw it with my young boys at the time and loved it
I hate to admit i was one of the people who didn't bother watching Zathura when it initially released. The trailers made it seem like a lame Jumanji knock off, but without the charm of Robin Williams.
I saw it later and was amazed by how good it was. It was actually Better than Jumanji imo.
I bought the DVD and loved the plot (simpler that Jumanji's and I own that movie too).
rented it from the local shop. it was fun.
I saw Zathura in the theatres and loved it. What a great movie. Jon Favreau is a genius, Zathura, Iron Man and the MCU. He's also behind the ONLY Will Ferrel movie I can stomach.
I saw it many years ago, Good Movie!
One subject you brought up is that movies like this have to compete with franchise films. I have to agree that it is a uphill battle for these movies that people don't really know about half the contend with popular movies that comes out in the same year. Sometimes these popular movies or genres that attracts more people are not even that well good and people will forget them in a few years. Take Twilight for example. I can't tell you how many times I come across Twilight pre-owned movies in a rack at a place that accepts them. But movies like "zathura" goes unnoticed. Sometimes people don't even know about them.
One movie that people don't consider is "Star Kid" that had a kid being bullied that got pulled into a intergalactic battle for an alien Ironman suit. Which the movie came out a few years earlier.
I saw "Zathura" on VHS when it came out. I didn't even knew about that until it was all ready out. Another possibility resin that movie don't do well is the amount of time and money people can take off to see these films. I can't tell you how many times I heard people say " where do they think this stuff up.". Even with cult film like, The NeverEnding story, labyrinth, the Dark crystal, Conan, the Beastmaster, Lost in Space, Star Trek, Star Wars, the MCU, DC comic movies, and many more to name a few.
Other movies I know that didn't do so well but I thoroughly enjoy, are.
Spaced Invaders
Masters of the Universe
Titan A.E.
Explorers
Small Solder
Warriors of Virtues
The Forbidden Kingdom (which was way better than "last air bender" live action movie.
Bulletproof Monk
And many more.
Note: I'm trying to keep the movie I mentioned to be PG-13 or lower for family friendly.)
Yes, I did see Zathura in the theaters as an adult. I really enjoyed it. It was clever and had a lot more heart than Jumanji.
I loved this film but only saw it a few years ago. I don't even remember it being released so there was no chance I would have seen it in the theater. I highly recommend it though and I would definitely watch it again.
I love this movie. I can't claim it to be among my absolute favorites today, but it used to be and is still in my "second tier" favorites. Unfortunately, I didn't see it (or the Harry Potter film that did it in) in theaters because I was in the Navy and crossing the Atlantic (going away from home) at the time. I searched long and hard to find it recently, and ended up having to settle for a three-pack with Jumanji (the original) and Goosebumps. I already had all three Jumanji movies and have still never seen Goosebumps (I really should watch it), but I would happily have paid twice as much for Zathura alone so I can't complain.
I definitely want to see it now!
Not my favorite sci-fi movie, but a great one, nonetheless. Truly a delight.
Never even heard of it until just now.
The Zorgons bring to mind Galaxy Quest (1999) which had good CGI but all those Stan Winston puppets for Saris and his crew, the true-form Thermians, and the Pig Lizard. Lost In Space (1998) had a beautiful Henson Creature Shop robot but the CGI monkey was a cartoonish eyesore.
Truly a good movie. Maybe it was a bit more scary than one might have expected it to be, making an audience looking for something lighter somewhat uncomfortable.
Loved it!!!
Is no one going to mention the old guy in Babylon 5 that just kept saying "Zathura"?
Zathras. Nobody listens to Zathras. Very sad. But at least there is symmetry.
@@GiantFreakinRobot That's right!! Thank you for the correction! 😁
Not sure why many critics didn't connect with the original Jumanji, that to me is the best in the franchise. However Zathura is on equal ground by using the same concept in it's own way, of a game that forces the players to confront their problems - far from a mere reskin (the Next level does much more copying, but I enjoy those movies too). And your right about the practicle effects, it probably stands a bit above Jumanji that way, which does have the taint of 1996 cgi, even if it's in service of the story.
I thought it was pretty good. Had great visuals
Wtf Mac and Me was my favorite movie 😂
Interesting. I definitely never heard about this movie.
This movie lowkey made me try to be a better big brother
It’s at least as good as OG Jumanji, but marketing tie-in association or no, it is just Jumanji in space.
This was Jumangi in space, that's all it was. Sure the story was different but that's not a reason to like it. I barely remember seeing this as I was bored half way through it. This is why audiences back in the day ignored this film. Critically, sure it was a well made film but that doesn't mean it was a good film to watch. I think you're trying WAY TOO HARD to make a case that this barely watchable movie is somehow a classic. The only reason I'm watching this again is to show the younger ones what kind of movie to avoid wasting money on.
I liked it, though the Jumanji in space vibe did turn me off a little.
Elf was not a watchable movie.
Honestly, Zathura failed because it wasn’t that interesting. I saw it ONCE in the theater and it made little impression on me.
Jumanji was an enjoyable film to watch but not stunning. At the time sequels were crap and the public knew that. Jumanji in space was automatically not worth going out to see. I watched it on VHS and ... yep ... Meh. As a consumer I am not impressed by the brilliance the creators have done. I am impressed by the magic they share with me when my bum is on the cinema seat.
Not mac and me for the love of God noooooooooooooooo😢
Fear not citizen!
McDonald's made a movie as bad as their "food"!!!🤮😵💫
It failed because it was a crap ripoff of jumanji. We could all see it was a crap ripoff of jumanji, and we did not care for it.
Wrong. The littlest kid was awful. Weakest part of the movie
Not seen it, and even this review makes it sound like a studio hack-job to cash in on more jumanji dollars.
Just being honest.
I actually liked Zathura. What sci-fi loving child has not turned their house into a spaceship zipping through the cosmos? That movie pretty much encompassed all of that.
That is very true, I can easily relate to that.