Zathura: A Space Adventure

Favreau gratifyingly prevents the film from becoming a mere maelstrom of CG effects by pushing the brothers' amusing bickering to the fore...

The only way to win is just to keep playing until it's over, and the only way to leave the theater is to hover over these kids' shoulders until they finally wrap things up. In both cases, there are more entertaining ways to spend an afternoon.

A smart and funny kids' movie that will also keep parents entertained.

Zathura, Jon Favreau's adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's kid-lit adventure of the same name, more than fills the bill -- though it's unlikely to draw anyone over the age of 11 (not counting baby-sitters).

Zathura salutes the low-tech magic that lurks inside a board game -- that hidden ability to bring people together.

In seeking to entertain adults as well as children, director Jon Favreau (Elf) may have overplayed his hand a bit on the grown-up side.

Zathura is a space circus of the surreal that recalls a time when the likes of Joe Dante ruled the pre-adolescent pop sphere.

It doesn't talk down its audience, it doesn't paint clichés, it doesn't insult our intelligence, and its entertainment is enjoyable for both adults and children. That's rare.

At times it seemed like events were occurring just so the kids, or the kids in the audience, could learn their lesson a little bit more.

A lively, imaginative tall tale that should thrill young audiences and engage their parents.

A practically-perfect family flick which delivers a big lesson about the true meaning of brotherly love.

Charming children's adventure with some superb performances from the young cast.