Friday, May 18, 2018

Movie review: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

 
 Four high-school teens stuck in detention discover an old video game they have never seen before. Deciding to play, they are transferred into the bodies of their avatars in the jungle world of Jumanji, where they learn from a previously trapped player they must complete the games quest or be trapped forever.

Dwayne Johnson (Spencer), Kevin Hart (Fridge), Jack Black (Bethany), Karen Gillan (Martha), Rhys Darby (Nigel), Bobby Cannavale (Van Pelt), Nick Jonas (Alex), Alex Wolff (Young Spencer), Ser'Darius Blain (Young Fridge), Madison Iseman (Young Bethany), Morgan Turner (Young Martha).

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is really a reboot of the franchise rather than a sequel. Instead of continuing the story, this one starts over with a new group of players and Jumanji as a video game, not a board game. Starting the game, the players are immediately pulled into the Jumanji jungle world but in this version they are deposited into the bodies of their avatars. The remainder of the film is much like the original with a quest that must be completed to exit the game, a lot of action, adventure, and some good laughs. And of course, the story finishes with the expected Happily Ever After ending.

Acting was good with Johnson being wonderfully silly throughout. Hart was enjoyable with his usual intense delivery. Black did nicely but felt like his energy was lacking a bit. Gillan was solid and added good depth. Darby, Cannavale, Jonas and the remainder of the supporting cast were solid and enjoyable.

Camera work, sets, and backgrounds were heavily blended with CGI and fit the film well. Action scenes and effects were good, particularly the animals. Dialogue had some nice humor along with the drama and kept the story moving along. Sound and soundtrack are both nicely done.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a good choice for family movie night engaging kids well, adults slightly less. The story is light, moves along nicely, and finishes with a smile.

With some mild crotch humor, action violence, and mild foul language, this should be fine for preens and above.

Released: 2017
Reviewed: 4.30.18
Star rating: 3 out of 5
Genre: Action, Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Action Comedy

copyright ©2018 Dave Riedel

No comments:

Mine mine mine!!!!

Blog disclaimer and copyright information. . .

-I hope to make this blog revenue generating in the future and as such any posts found here may be paid posts. If you want to pay me to post for you, let me know!
-Content may change over time resulting in inaccuracies. I also make mistakes, some will be here.
-I have no control over what is at the other end of any links you may find here.
-Film pictures, dvd covers, film banners or whatever you like to call them are copied here from widely available public locations. I did not create them nor do I own them.
-Any files, programs or downloadables are provided only for convenience and fun. I in no way warrant, represent, or otherwise imply they won’t cause you problems. Use at your own risk! If your computer blows up I don’t want to even hear about it.
-Reviews posted here are my opinion and meant as informational for prospective viewers and are not meant to malign, defame, or otherwise harm anyone or anything. They also are not meant as advice or counsel , not necessarily factual or absolute, and the author will not be held responsible for the results of their use.
-Comments are NOT the opinion of this author, nor is he responsible or liable for the comments or their results. I will try to moderate them in a reasonable (to me) manner.
-Translation of any portion of this blog may result in other than desirable language for which the author is not responsible. Furthermore, I’m not an English major so there will be bad grammar and punctuation found here. There may also be language that is intentionally objectionable to support my opinions. Tough.
-Copyright: All reviews and opinions expressed here by the author are owned by the author. Please enjoy reposting and/or linking, I ask only that you give proper credit and inform me you have used my content for your own pleasure and devious purposes.
-Legal limit on damages: .02 cents, U.S. (Yes, I will give you my 2 cents worth if you abuse me in court).