Zuthura: A Space Adventure (2005)

My Review

Director Jon Favreau (“Elf” 2003) took on the project of adapting Chris Van Allsburg’s 2002 children’s book “Zuthura” to a major motion picture, with some success. “Zuthura: A Space Adventure” is a well crafted film with great special effects mixed with comedic, dramatic, and science fiction elements to it. However, the film did not do well at the box office, as this sequel to “Jumanji” (1995) did not have Robin Williams in it, or any other major star, for that matter, to counter the effects of competition. It was clobbered in theatrical release by one of the Harry Potter movies.

The stars include Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart, Tim Robbins, and Frank Oz as the voice of Robot. Good job by screenwriters David Keopp and John Kamps and Columbia Pictures and Sony Pictures in putting together the watchable film “Zathura: A Space Adventure.” It was filmed at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City and exterior shots in South Pasadena.