Director Jake Kasdan
Genre Adventure | Family | Fantasy
Cast Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan
Rating PG-13
Release Date December 20th, 2017
“Four teenagers discover an old video game console and are literally drawn into the game’s jungle setting, becoming the adult avatars they choose.”
From director Jake Kasdan (New Girl, Sex Tape), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is the first Jumanji film since the 1995 version starring the late Robin Williams (RIP). This new version has some people fired up about the non-stop remake/sequel push from Hollywood, but a talented cast and a fun premise could and hopefully will provide a fun adventure comedy fit for all ages. The cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan.
With an extremely talented cast and an immersive backstory, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is good old fashioned laugh out loud fun for the entire family. I actually went into the theater with relatively high expectations considering the cast, specifically the Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart combination that had me laughing my tail off in Central Intelligence. Well I am pleased to report that not only did the cast live up to expectations, but the movie as a whole delivered in all of the categories that mattered. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is packed full of hilarious one-liners but what really ignites the laugh factor is the creative use of role reversal for the characters. Basically each person that gets sucked into the videogame and becomes the avatar they have chosen ends up with the polar opposite of what they thought they were getting, and this leads to priceless moments and interactions between the characters. Beyond all of that, I was genuinely impressed with the overall backstory the film brings to life for viewers. The last thing I expected was for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to hit an emotional note in any shape or form yet somehow it manages to do just that, and it does it in such a natural and genuine way that you can't help but tip your hat to the writers. After months of anticipation, I left the theater excited for what I just experienced and I can't wait to see it for a second time.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is packed full of hilarious one-liners but what really ignites the laugh factor is the creative use of role reversal for the characters. Basically each person that gets sucked into the videogame and becomes the avatar they have chosen ends up with the polar opposite of what they thought they were getting, and this leads to priceless moments and interactions between the characters. Beyond all of that, I was genuinely impressed with the overall backstory the film brings to life for viewers. The last thing I expected was for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to hit an emotional note in any shape or form yet somehow it manages to do just that, and it does it in such a natural and genuine way that you can't help but tip your hat to the writers. After months of anticipation, I left the theater excited for what I just experienced and I can't wait to see it for a second time.
I mentioned the talented cast before but I would be remiss if I didn’t take a few more moments to touch on exactly what they brought to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. First and foremost, the chemistry between the entire cast is amazing. You never feel like any of the actors are bored or sleepwalking through scenes. Everyone seems excited and almost giddy for the opportunity to let loose and make a movie that allows them to have a little fun. Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart deliver yet again and provide some of the best banter you will experience in the film *spoiler alert* (just kidding NOT a spoiler), and the majority of the laughs come at the expense of Kevin Hart's height, or lack thereof.
I really enjoyed Karen Gillan's character as well, and thought that she added a unique element to the dynamic between the characters. Most people will recognize Gillan as Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. I was admittedly a little surprised that Jack Black actually stole the show for me thanks to his ability to really take advantage of the humorous role reversal element. Without giving too much away, the perfect and beautiful blonde homecoming queen has the luxury of becoming a "fat middle-aged man" in the videogame, and from there the laughs just never really stop. I have been a Jack Black fan for quite some time, and even though he has had his fair share of duds, personally I think one of his best performances is Tropic Thunder, and I also really enjoyed his role in Orange County. He is just such a great comedic actor and I always find myself repeating his hilarious one-liners for weeks, sometimes even months. The cast is just fantastic from top to bottom.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is fun, hilarious, and most importantly it is easy to enjoy. Ignore the naysayers because this is a movie you won't even consider picking apart because it is just so loose and easygoing. I really appreciated the fact that in no way shape or form is this movie trying to be like the original. Instead it serves as a sort of tribute to a classic family film from the late, great Robin Williams. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle packs enough laughs and a really fun premise to keep the entire family entertained, so do yourself a favor and check this one out while it's in theaters. Highly recommended.
