Danny finds an old board game in the basement. It is Zathura, and once Danny and Walter play it, their house becomes marooned in outer space, subject to attacks by hungry lizard aliens. Help arrives in the form of astronaut Dax Shephard, a veteran Zathura player. The game must be completed for life to revert to normal, but this requires teamwork by the ever-quarreling brothers. Can they pull it off?
How others will see it. The market for this film is pre-teens and their obliging mothers. However, the latter may be uncomfortable about Zathura, since the kids are in constant peril from meteors, killer robots, killer lizard aliens, and black holes. Older kids may share Walter's cynicism toward the movie, although they still have the next appearance of Kristen Stewart to look forward to. Younger kids may better appreciate the film's intended magic.
Scientists will recognize that the film is a kid's fantasy, but will not fail to notice that couches cannot burn in outer space (no oxygen), and a free-standing house in outer space will not have gravity, much less electricity. The house seems to recover from its destructive encounters with meteors and Zorgons. Then there's the matter of a board game having such an enormous affect on the solar system.
How I felt about it. The premise appears original, unless you've seen Jumanji. The script and casting is competent as well. The movie is above average, but it has its problems, beyond its violations of the laws of physics. The hard-bitten cynicism of Walter and Lisa is resolved too quickly and permanently.
The key to the film is the relationship between Danny and Walter. Walter is a bad older brother. He must be taught a lesson, through Zathura, to learn to respect Danny, and value his company. The moral is laudable, and relevant to its target audience. It is less compelling for adults, although a grown-up version could take place at a company, and replace Walter with a boss and Danny with a talented but moderately eccentric employee. The boss would learn (surprise, surprise) the project can't be completed without the employee. It would at least be something different from Boy Meets Girl.