Filmology Rating: 3 out of 4

Four high school kids discover an old video game console while in detention; upon starting the console and picking characters, they become drawn into the game becoming the adult avatars they chose. To beat the game and return to the real world, they’ll have to complete the most dangerous adventure of their lives or they’ll be stuck in the game forever.

When I first saw the trailer, I will admit my heart broke a little. The original Jumanji is a classic and Robin Williams was one of my favorite actors growing up; to see a remake so soon after his passing, I was a little pissed off. That being said, the trailer looked like it had a lot of potential and with a talented cast composing of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan, I at least wanted to give it a shot and go in with an open mind. I am so glad that I did because “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” turned out to be one of my favorite movies of the season!

My first thought was that it was fantastic to finally discover what Alan Parrish (Robin Williams in the original) went through 20 years ago! All we really got to see in the original was a scared big bearded wild man but now, we finally got to see what made him go crazy. The Jumanji world that was created was excellent. The board game turned video game played out just like a real life video game. There was a guide that brings you into and out of the video game, cut scenes, characters with only programmable responses, and many other tiny details, all of which I really appreciated! The thought that went into this film must have been immense. You can tell they knew they would be battling a hostile audience of people who adore the original. I am happy to report that the original source material was both honored and played off of surprisingly well!

The concept of giving the kids in detention animated characters that were polar opposites worked incredibly. Dwayne Johnson was actually a scared nerd, Kevin Hart a huge football player, Jack Black a popular blonde, and Karen Gillan a shy Harvard bound girl. Throughout their adventure, they learn to work with their new bodies and the abilities, or lack thereof, and also with each other. As their journey progresses, this collaboration opens up opportunities for impactful life lessons and personal growth. On a less serious note, this discovery of their new avatar bodies created a LOT of humorous moments that had me bursting with laughter.

The chemistry between these characters was some of the best I’ve seen all year. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart are quickly developing some of the best on-screen chemistry in Hollywood today. Between this and “Central Intelligence”, I am sold, I will see anything that these two guys make together no matter what it is. Their chemistry is that good! Jack Black has fallen off the grid a little but this role reminded the audiences of what a true comedic talent he is. I cannot wait to see what doors this film opens up for him once again.

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” can be summarized by one word: surprising. I was pleasantly surprised with just how good this movie really was! I had a blast from start to finish and whatever minor flaws I found, I was easily able to push them aside and enjoy myself. Hopefully you will too!

Rating: See It

-Nick

Like many 90s kids I grew up watching Jumanji a countless number of times, the film became apart of 90s canon and while I remember very little of the films actual plot and I actually fear returning to the film since most of my childhood films don’t hold up.  And then the idea of a sequel seemed to be rather appalling, since the magic of the film would be missing the charismatic charm of Robin Williams in the lead role; it’s hard to find anyone who champions Zathura as a superior film let alone finding people who actually remember the film exists.  

Four students from different walks of life are struggling to connect to reality and cannot yet define the person that they want to be in adulthood.  The four end up in detention together and instead of attempting to do the monotonous task that they are given, they decide to play a video game and are literally sucked into the world of the video game: Jumanji.   

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle lives and dies by the performances given by the core of main actors consisting of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan.  All four of the actors commit to the roles and bring a sense of camp and lightheartedness, which makes them all incredibly engaging to watch.  While I was afraid that this new film wouldn’t have anyone in it who could capture the magic that Robin Williams created, I should have realized my reason for worrying was short sighted since Johnson is one of the most charismatic actors I have ever seen on the silver screen.  Even when Johnson does a project that I don’t end up liking, in the final product I usually like him, The Fate of the Furious and Hercules are two films that come to mind.  The reason that I had to worry was Kevin Hart, whom I have never found to be that funny actually, rather I usually find him to be toxic.  Hart is usually nothing more than a loud foul mouthed little man who has little heart and soul with his characters, such as Snowball in The Secret Life of Pets and Bernie in About Last Night.   But with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Hart proves that he can have a heart and soul with his characters and not just a big mouth.  While Jack Black was a household name during the early 2000s with films like School of Rock and King Kong, he then quickly almost became forgotten after Year One and Gulliver’s Travels.  Black proves in this film that he still has strong comedic skills even playing a character who is against his normal character types.  It’s hard to see Black as a pompous narcissistic teenage girl but he completely pulls of the roll, making him one of the most humorous characters of the year.  Karen Gillan is well known in the geek community for playing Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy and Amy Pond in the television show Doctor Who,  but she has never seemed to make it into the popular zeitgeist like the other actors have,  but I believe that many will be hoping to see Gillan in more comedic projects in the future after her performance given with this film.  The joke of a character not being comfortable in their own skin is something that most people can relate to and watching Gillan attempt to tackle the inner battle is incredibly humorous.

Like most video games, the final loss of the game was a complete let down and seemed to drag on too long.  I would like to think that Bobby Cannavale can be a dynamic actor but after seeing him in Ant-Man, Spy, and Annie he is giving bland performances that make the film feel lifeless.  With Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle having a villain who is supposed to feel like evil incarnate, but comes across like a Saturday morning cartoon villain is problematic.  I never felt like the quartet was in any actual danger since the villain attacking them was incredibly weak, even in the weakest of Marvel films you are given at least one scene that proves the villain can be a true threat, but you aren’t given a single frame that provides that sense of menace.  

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is The Breakfast Club meets Wreck-It Ralph and if that concept just sent chills down your spine I suggest that you rush out to see the film, but if you thought the concept sounded childish, I would agree with you but that doesn’t mean that the film isn’t entertaining.  Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a film that should appeal to the inner child in all of us who miss the days of wonder and exploration that can come with something as simple as a day in the woods.  

Rating: Rent It

-Jonny G