On the Big Board |
Position |
Staff |
In Brief |
34/166 |
David Mumpower |
Vividly imaginative fare should trigger the creativity of children of all ages. |
In 1981, Chris Van Allsburg published a popular children's book named Jumanji. Eventually, that story was translated into a fantasy film featuring Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst. Twenty years later, the author picked right up where he left off with a sequel of sorts. It was called Zathura and centered around a grand, magical intergalactic adventure.
Brothers Danny and Walter Budwing find an oblong box in the park. Though Walter thinks the box is just a stupid game, Danny decides to take it home anyway, curious about what it actually does. While Walter is watching television, Danny looks at the board portion of the game. It has a "jungle adventure" board, but also has a second board with an outer space theme. That board has a path of colored squares that lead to a purple planet named Zathura.
Imagine Danny's surprise at this point, as a small green card pops out of the edge. He looks at the card, and it has a message: " Meteor showers, take evasive action." Thankfully, this warning keeps the boys from being stunned when a giant meteor falls into their living room. What's more, the only thing they can see outside their window is stars and dark sky. Danny and Walter continue playing the game, and soon they're having to escape from a homicidal robot and a Zyborg pilot. (Kim Hollis/BOP)
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