2006: a space odyssey
From the writer of Jumanji comes a tale of sibling rivalry and growing up, when two boys find their house and all its contents transported to outer space thanks to a mischievous, magical board game. Comparisons between the two films are inevitable, but this time round the story seems more focussed. Nearly all of the action is confined to the house itself, and it ends up feeling a bit like Panic Room meets Spy Kids.
The script is witty enough to keep most adults entertained (one of the boys shouts out ‘Grandma!’ as a meteor passes through the previously unseen urn containing her ashes), the acting never lets it down, and it’s so fast-paced that it’ll keep your attention right from the excellent title sequence till the credits roll. At the end of the day it’s Jumanji for the next generation; the ones who grew up with Jar Jar Binks not Bambi. But that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy it.
2nd Feb 2006