by Drew Deitch
| Published
Controversial statement: Science fiction shouldn't be just for adults. Kids love science fiction and should have plenty of movies and TV shows that explore and celebrate the genre without diminishing its importance given the age of the target audience. In the 2000s, a movie tried to do this but failed at the box office and never received the full appreciation it deserves today. We hope to change that.
Zatura: a space adventure It was pretty much doomed from the start. Based on a book written by Jumanji Author Chris Van Allsburg, and director Jon Favreau's sci-fi take on the “board game come to life” concept had a lot to work against. It was never going to get a fair shake, as it was promptly buried at the box office and mostly forgotten.
Twenty years later, it's time to enjoy this clever children's film for what it is: a great adventure story that's not just the best entry in the world. Jumanji franchise but as an excellent film on its own.
How Zatura: Space Adventure was created
Jon Favreau It was the result of the success of the Christmas family comedy dwarf. He showed how stylish and sharp he can be with a film meant for all audiences. His decision to make Zatura It was an attempt to show how he could once again handle material for all ages with his wit and charm. This time, he'll take the special effects and storytelling to a higher level.
Zatura It excels in these elements. Favreau insisted on using as many practical effects as possible. He hired Stan Winston Studios – who would also work on Favreau's next little film, Iron man – To create lizard-like opponents, the Zorgons. These creatures are just awesome.
As CG became the standard for creature creation, Favreau was committed to building actual effects that actors could interact with and respond to. May God bless him and the many artists who brought life to the Zorgun family. They are one of the highlights of the movie.
This mentality extends to the entire production aspect Zatura. The story takes place primarily in one place (the house), and Favreau has to turn it into a floating spaceship of sorts. They get smashed and dismantled as the film goes on, and the design behind those aesthetic decisions adds real character to the structure. Favreau photographed real models of the house for use in the film.
Add to all this art the cool 1950s sci-fi style that informs the film's design decisions, and you get a film with a very specific visual direction. Favreau knows how to hone the effects and make everything tangible. It's a subtle touch.
Zathura's screenplay and score do a lot right
Zatura It's not just artistic fun. The screenplay by David Koepp and John Camps does a lot right. It condenses the story to a much simpler structure than the original Jumanji by reducing the number of necessary characters. It also does a better job of focusing on the young heroes and their relationships. Drama may be simple, but it is very effective. And when we learn more about the mysterious astronaut character (Dax Shepard) who appears later, it all pays off thanks to the very clever first act setup.
Zatura It also features a truly underrated score from composer John Debney. The opening credits and main theme highlight the mood and intent of the film in the opening seconds. There is 100% commitment to the tone of stately adventure in Debney's score.
It takes what could be considered a small movie (due to the one-house location) and makes it seem epic. The phrase “underrated” has been thrown around a lot, but it may actually apply to the work Debney does Zatura.
The perfect Zathura team includes Kristen Stewart
Zatura He knows it has to be an intimate film given its size. While Lisa's (Kristen Stewart) attraction to the astronaut suggests a goofy little romance, the film's real emotional drama is the relationship between two brothers (Josh Hutcherson and Jonah Bobo). Their conflict is simplistic but treated seriously.
It helps that the entire cast plays everything perfectly. There is no weak link in the band's chain.
Zatura It is a children's film that does not degrade its target audience, whether in the story, characters, or production of the film. This is a powerful, first-rate experience for young viewers and kids at heart.
Why didn't a group support Jon Favreau's family sci-fi film?
When we talk about how a film “failed,” we're often referring to its public reception in some way. When it comes Cash reception, Zatura Didn't fail at all. As of this recording, it is linked Rotten tomatoes with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle For the best reviewed entry in the entire Jumanji series, and Zatura It certainly holds up better than that flick.
It wasn't the critics who disliked or ignored the film. It was the fans.
Zatura It opened in the second slot on its opening weekend, beaten by Disney Small chicken In its second weekend at number one. Yes, Zach Braff, as a terrified CGI bird in a low-key Disney effort, beats a movie from one of the principal architects behind the film. marvel cinematic universe and The Mandalorian.
Adding more fuel to the burning fire Zatura at the box office, Harry Potter And the cup of fire It was released the following weekend and Zatura It dropped nearly 62% to the No. 5 slot. This processor took away any potential target audience Zatura We can hope.
Creative clash leads to bad marketing
It didn't help that there was a creative struggle over how to market the film. Alsburg and Favreau said that although the general hypothesis was similar, Zatura It wasn't the same kind of movie Jumanji.
Unfortunately, the studio wanted to use… Jumanji A name to help market this movie. It made people confused or resistant to what it looked like.”Jumanji In space.” So far, this particular article contributes to the linkage Zatura To another movie, its story has nothing to do with reality.
This is unfair. Zatura He doesn't deserve to suffocate JumanjiShadow. This movie has a lot of generational nostalgia due to its inclusion Robin WilliamsThis connection may obscure how lovers Jumanji Watch Favreau's independent victory. It definitely made an impact Zatura In that time since he saw the public Jumanji The name was attached but without Robin Williams' on-screen involvement, resulting in a disconnect and lack of interest in the film.
Zatura They should not be left to collect dust in the basement. It should be taken out and played with. Yes, some things may seem familiar, but they are exciting and dangerous in entirely new ways. Take a journey into the unknown, space student. There is danger, glory and majesty in the depths of space. Zatura He waits.
Zatura: a space adventure Currently available to stream via rent or purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
