Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

photo courtesy of davestrailerpage.com

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

     Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle unites Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillian for a reinvention of 1995’s Jumanji. The movie follows four radically different teenagers (Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Ser’Darius Blain, Morgan Turner) who play a video game to distract themselves during an afternoon’s detention. Much to their surprise, the mysterious video game—the titular Jumanji—swallows them up. If they want to get back to reality, they’ll have to use their in-game avatars Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Johnson), Professor Shelly Oberon (Black), “Mouse” Finbar (Hart), and Ruby Roundhouse (Gillian) to work together, dodge the jungle’s dangerous obstacles, and beat the game.

     First things first. As anyone who’s seen any of the movie’s marketing materials can probably tell you, this is not the Jumanji you remember. In theory, it’s a sequel to the original Jumanji, with the board game evolving into a video game to lure more players into its sinister devices. It ends up being nearly the reverse of the original premise: instead of the game spilling over into real life, this time it’s the players who get sucked into the game’s reality. But more than that, what separates it from the original Jumanji is its distinctly modern sense of humor; like Baywatch earlier this year, its nostalgic premise is little more than a justification to let the Rock do his thing. 

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     Having made that point, a question arises: is this new take on Jumanji worth your time? In short, yes. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle makes for surprisingly entertaining popcorn theater. While it’s certainly not among 2017’s more high-minded or sophisticated offerings, Jumanji relies on a combination of carefree humor, a super-star cast, and Raiders of the Lost Ark-style mischief to win audiences over. 

     Kevin Hart and Jack Black carry most of the movie’s comedy. Each of the main actors do well enough in their roles, but only Hart and Black really stand out; they have the charisma and comedy instincts to make nearly any line memorable. Combine that with a natural talent for physical comedy, and it’s not hard to see why so many of their scenes resonated with people—especially kids—in the theater. Karen Gillian, too, makes her mark in one key physical comedy scene.

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     Part of the reason for Jumanji’s success, at least in terms of comedy, is that it puts its actors in the ridiculous place of having to act like teenagers inside adult bodies. It’s fun (and more than a little silly) seeing these accomplished actors try to bring to life characters with whom they have so little in common. Johnson and Gillian’s characters are awkward, insecure, and romantically inexperienced. Hart’s character, usually a tough athlete, has to adjust to his smaller stature and the accompanying weaknesses. And Black’s character has some adjustments of her own to make.

     Much of the actual storyline is more or less disposable. The plot basically functions as the bare minimum explanation needed to get this group of actors together, throw them into the jungle, and give them something to do for two hours. That turns out to be a good thing, because before the main actors take the screen, the movie struggles to get going; the teenage cast’s chemistry and likeability is seriously in question in the opening scenes. As for the movie’s villain, played by Bobby Cannavale, there’s not much to say; only occasionally menacing, he’s a placeholder antagonist.

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     As with any family-oriented comedy blockbuster, Jumanji includes its fair share of heart. When all is said and done, the movie does a decent job of giving us characterization—usually through very un-subtle one-on-one conversations—and manages to include a bit of theme—working together rather than forging your own path, having the courage to be yourself, learning the value of sacrifice, etc.—as well. It’s not about to win any Academy Awards, but it’s a nice touch.

     FINAL VERDICT: Thanks to a bankable cast and lots of laughs, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle amounts to an enjoyable—if relatively mindless—diversion.  

Watch the trailer here.

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