Movie Review: Jumanji
With crazy special effects and comedic actors, “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is sure to deliver laughs to everyone in the family. The 2017 film remakes the 1995 version with a brand-new cast, including the ever-present Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black and Nick Jonas. The story revolves around a group of four teenagers with varying personalities who find the titular game in their school basement and decide to play it. They are quickly trapped in the game, becoming their own adult avatars. In order to get back home, they have to return a jewel, “The Jaguar’s Eye,” to a jaguar statue. If they fail at this mission, they will be stuck in the game forever. The main characters learn to put their differences aside and use their strengths to work together.
Dwayne Johnson plays the tough and muscular Dr. Smolder Bravestone, who is the avatar for Spencer, the thin, smart outcast of the high school group. Spencer’s wit and his in-game avatar’s strength combine to help the group through their adventure. Kevin Hart plays the tiny zoologist avatar, Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, Bravestone’s sidekick. The avatar is chosen by football player Fridge, Spencer’s former best friend. Karen Gillan plays the gorgeous fighter Ruby Roundhouse, Martha’s avatar. Martha is an activist and honor roll student who, like Spencer, is an outcast. Jack Black plays the stout cartographer avatar, Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon. Oberon is the avatar for Bethany, the popular girl in school. Lastly, Nick Jonas plays the handsome pilot avatar, Jefferson “Seaplane” McDonough. He is the avatar for Alex Vreeke, a teenager who got sucked into the video game twenty years ago and has been in hiding ever since.
The weaknesses and strengths of each character build a hilarious dynamic within the group.
When the players land in the game, Nigel, a nonplayer character guide, informs them about the mission to return the jewel. The jewel was stolen by a corrupt explorer, Russel Van Pelt, played by Bobby Cannavale. He sent a curse through the land and was able to control all of the Jumanji animals using the stone. With a mix of anxiety and uncomfortable jokes, the group of four also learns that they have three lives; if the three lives run out in the game, they die in real life. Before Nigel leaves them, he tells them of the upcoming levels they have to pass before the final return of the jewel.
The first time each of the characters loses a life serves a more comedic purpose, whereas the characters’ second deaths are more serious and help add drama to the plot. As they pass the levels, Spencer and Martha’s affection for one another grows. He saves her life multiple times, and the strong bond they form repeatedly protects the lives of the other players. Van Pelt’s men find the group, and Alex saves them. The players learn that Alex has been stuck in the game for twenty years, and the five characters then devise a plan to get through the remaining levels and return home.
The weaknesses and strengths of each character build a hilarious dynamic within the group. Kevin Hart’s undying sarcasm lights up every conversation, and Karen Gillan’s failed attempts at impressing boys make everyone in the audience chuckle. However, the most hilarious of them all has to be Jack Black, who perfectly impersonates a popular high school girl. With the body poses and high-pitched accent, the actor’s comic performance is one of the movie’s major highlights. Though the ending is cheesy and predictable, the characters’ adventures provide a family-friendly comedy all should see.