By C. Ramsay
An adaptation of the children’s book written by Chris Van Allsburg, the author also behind Jumanji, Zathura is the space counterpart to the jungle-based story. Both utilize the same style, prioritizing being creative and fun, but with stakes that always feel real. With Jon Favreau’s direction, Zathura is full of rich visuals and world-building, exemplified immediately through a gorgeously colourful and textured mixed media title sequence that introduces how the game board functions and teases some of its contents.
There is a clear love by Favreau for the prioritization of practical effects, including some extremely detailed puppetry, something that he has continued to prioritize throughout his vast career. An equal amount of care is also put into the sets that create the foundation for the film’s atmosphere, both in miniature form and to scale. The interior sets of the house are extensive and well-utilized. The opening act makes sure to move throughout the entire floor plan via different interactions between the family members we’re situated with in order to provide characterization while simultaneously familiarizing the audience with the layout, making the space feel lived in and the characters lived with. No part of the set feels off-limits or unusable.
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