Review of Jumanji (1995) by James M — 10 May 2012
I'll admit I'm clearly biased about this film; not because I love it, but because I love what it means to me. My daughter used to watch this movie every day when she was 4-5 years old, and would exclaim in broken English "Bad Man Oo!" when the bad hunter popped up.
She is now a much older (and wiser) 9 year old, but the memories of watching it with her, and watching her watch it, never cease to bring a smile. So any review I can offer is steeped not in criticism, but in retrospect.
And for what it is - a family friendly action adventure (emphasis on adventure in the true meaning) - it is very, very good. There are wild animals, man-eating plants, monkey shines ... everything a child's imagination can take and run with.
The pacing isn't perfect, and the FX are dated, and the plot is hurried along sometimes, but it is still good clean fun (which Robin Williams sometimes has trouble keeping in mind in his films). Children's fears of the unknown are kept subdued and merely insinuated rather than preyed upon, and that is to the director's credit.
Having seen it dozens of times in parts and in whole, I still find it fun. And isn't that the point of spending time with your kids?
This review of Jumanji (1995) was written by James M on 10 May 2012.
Jumanji has generally received positive reviews.
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