Fun 'Zathura' takes flight as it keeps effects in check

Sixteen-year-old Lisa has one rule of engagement for her pesky little brothers: "Unless the house is burning down, don't talk to me."

Does a meteor shower count?

The third time was a charm for Goldilocks. So it is for author-illustrator Chris Van Allsburg. The film version of his Jumanji was overwhelmed by special effects; likewise, The Polar Express lost its human factor in the translation to screen.

Zathura, the thrilling action fantasy based on Van Allsburg's 2001 book (and sequel to Jumanji) gets it just right. Three squabbling siblings define a universe. No amped-up special effects required. When their Craftsman home hurtles into the cosmos, tree roots and all, it resembles Wizard of Oz, Deep Space Nine.

Jon Favreau, the actor-director who made the delightful family film Elf, has a firm grip and a light touch with this material about bickering brothers who find a board game that zaps the family home into hyperspace. Initially they can't enlist their big sis's help because, well, she's frozen for the next five moves.

Walter (Josh Hutcherson), age 10, is a baseball lover and a brother hater. In his eyes, little bro Danny (Jonah Bobo), 6, is no fun. Walter rags Danny like his 16-year-old sister, Lisa (Kristen Stewart), rags both boys.

Nothing like an external enemy to turn the rivalrous siblings into allies. The only way to survive is for the brothers and sister to cooperate so they can get safely back home.

Favreau draws the audience in by keeping it simple. All the behavior is primal and recognizably kid-like, petty jealousy and revenge interfering with their efforts to foil extraterrestrial home invaders.

Like the game that drives its action, the film has the rusty retro appeal of 1960s fantasy and sci-fi. The galaxy looks like something Walt and Danny made for a school project: pinpricked black construction paper on a white background.

Everything about the film's retro appeal works with the exception of Lisa, conceived as a jailbait centerfold. This kind of retro is no longer in fashion, if it ever was.

My escorts to Zathura - Luca, 10, and Cora, 9 - were so into the movie that I didn't hear them breathe. Luca said that "the movie combined my two favorites, action and fantasy." Cora said it was "about being on the same team with your brother instead of against him." Hear, hear.

Contact movie critic Carrie Rickey

at 215-854-5402 or crickey@phillynews.com.

Zathura

*** (out of four stars)

Produced by William Teitler, Scott Kroopf and Michael De Luca, directed by Jon Favreau, written by David Koepp and John Kamps, from the book by Chris Van Allsburg, photography by Guillermo Navarro, music by John Debney, distributed by Columbia Pictures.

Running time: 1 hour, 53 mins.

Walter. . . Josh Hutcherson

Danny. . . Jonah Bobo

Lisa. . . Kristen Stewart

The Astronaut. . . Dax Shepard

Dad. . . Tim Robbins

Parent's guide: PG (mild profanity, scary monsters, meteors and robots, suitable for children 7 and older)

Playing at: area theaters