Forgotten Flix: Zathura (2005)

As another Jumanji Film is behind us, let's look at the forgotten 'second chapter.'  This is Zathura, a 2005 Film that is based on a Book that is a Sequel to Jumanji.  Is it Jumanji 2 (like Jack Black once said)?  No.  In the Book, Zathura is the back-side of the board for Jumanji.  Double-sided game boards are a thing of the past, which is where this idea comes from.  In the Film version, however, that element was removed.  Instead, Zathura is a self-contained game that is also uncovered by two kids.  It's also important to note that this is not a 'rip-off' of Jumanji- it's 100% not.  To be more accurate, it is another story by the same Author and contains many similar elements.  It is kind of like how the guy who wrote and directed Leprechaun would go on to make Rumpelstiltskin too.  If you want to put it another way, think of how L. Frank Baum couldn't get the hell out of Oz.  The Film itself is notable for all of the people involved.  Its Director would follow it up with Iron Man.  Its Male Lead would go on to be the Male Lead in the Hunger Games Films.  It's Female Lead (and only Female Character) would go on to star in the Twilight Films.  Hell, even if you go deep into the Credits, you'll find some notable names.  Is the actual Film worth attention?  To find out, read on...

A pair of brothers are not getting along, something not helped by their parents being divorced (though it is not stated overtly).  Can they work it out?

After 'escaping' the Basement, the youngest finds the titular Board Game and starts to play it.

As you can guess, the consequences are real...

The game sends their house into Outer Space!

It's a good thing they didn't have someone working on the Roof, huh?

They have to keep playing the game in order to get home, but, of course, the stakes keep raising.

Oh and Kristen Stewart spends the first 2/3 of the Film frozen and/or unaware of the Film's events.

FYI you can see the frozen Kristen Stewart Puppet amongst other Stan Winston Props...you weirdo.

The arrival of an Astronaut can help turn the tide.  Will he bring different issues and revelations too though?

The youngest has to face his fears in order to save the day.  Is he finally growing up?

To be nice, I won't SPOIL the couple of twists hidden in the Film that are revealed by the end.  I'm not a dick...well, in this one instance, anyhow.

Of course, they make it back in one piece and agree to never talk about what happened.

I guess the people that saw this Film 15 years ago all agreed too.  The End.

A fun, visually-interesting Film that is definitely made for people younger than me.  Was I too old for this Film when I first saw it?  Maybe.  True story- I was working my first Job at a Movie Theater when it was out, so I saw it in 10 minute chunks over like 2 months.  The biggest positive and negative here is the focus on the two Brothers.  As a sibling, I can relate to alot of it.  If you are one of those weirdos from one kid households, you may not feel the same way.  On top of that connection, you have to realize that it is about kids of a very certain age.  If you are that age, just passed that age or are old enough to have kids that age, it works.  If you don't fit into any of those categories, you find yourself really relating to Kristen Stewart and/or the Astronaut.  That's not a knock on the kid actors either- they're good.  They play the roles just as written, so no fault on their end.  I just kind of got tired of the kids- that's all.  I know- I'm a bad person.  The actual Story, Effects, Set Design, Sound Design, Soundtrack and all around feel of the Film is good.  This seemed to work as Jon Favreau's tryout for a Film like Iron Man.  I can definitely see it.  Of course, it helps that one of the founding Executives behind the MCU was a Producer (and more) on this one first...

Next time, a strange little Film that I saw someone do a Video Review of.  It looked funny enough for me to stop watching the Review so as not to SPOIL it for myself.  Stay tuned...