Zathura
starring Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart and Tim Robbins
written by David Koepp and John Kamps
directed by Jon Favrreau
Based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg, Zathura is almost an exact copy of the 1995 film Jumanji, starring Robin Williams and directed by Joe Johnston. I preferred Jumanji, and so will you. Both films claim to be based on Chris Van Allsburg books. Is it the same book? I checked on the Internet to find the answer and found lots of information that resolved nothing. So, let me see if I can figure out what is going on. Allsburg has written/is writing a series of books subtitled “tales from Jumanji,” or stories that are somehow or other connected by a common fantasy theme: a series of books/stories based on the same premise of players entering into the world of a board game. It was really good the first time, in 1995 with Robin Williams. But the second time it was a recycled, worn, used idea. None of the actors in Zathura has the power of Robin Williams to propel a performance.