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by Karin Leonard & Daniel Robin

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Zathura

With Tim Robbins, Josh Hutcherson, Jonah Bobo, Dax Shepard

Entertainment: 2.5 Message: 2.5

From the twisted minds that created Jumanji (200x), comes a sci-fi adventure / board game gone awry …. Not really “fun and games” in the traditional sense, but more of a kid thriller, as the house gets destroyed and life-threatening events make you wonder why this game even exists. To cause or help kids deal with fear? A bit of both, it seems. Pretty sinister stuff for six-year-old Danny and ten-year old Walter, who discover the old metal board game and begin to “play” not knowing that once you start, you must finish (or else), taking each twist in turn, even if it means certain death … or worse. Nice try, but a lost opportunity; next time, how about using the game to teach us something … about life or outer space or anything other than just bizarre and violent spectacles; thrills and suspense doesn’t have to be mindless to entertain (1 hr 35 min).