Review of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) by Daniel H — 29 Dec 2017

"Jumanji" (2017) is a new adventure that provides you a more in-depth look into the jungle that was introduced by the original "Jumanji" film in 1996. Different than the 1996 film, this adaption makes the game of Jumanji relevant to this time by transforming itself into a video game (although I would argue board games are making a come back).

For those with positive memories of the 1996 film with Robin Williams, one could be nervous that director Jake Kasdan would ruin that feel-good fighting spirit they found in the original. For that nostalgic among us, the film provides a few subtle "shout-outs" to the original film that will happily send you down memory lane. For example, this film begins almost identical to the 1996 version. A boy, Alex (Mason Guccione and Nick Jonas) finds the Jumanji board game while running by the water. When Alex is more interested in his video games, the board game transforms itself into a video game version of itself. While unbelievable that a board game would have that much power, it is not a far stretch of the imagination when you then realize that this game has now sucked multiple people into it...literally. The evil hunter Van Pelt (Bobby Cannavale) is also reintroduced, though he leaves his normal jungle hunting garb back in the 90s. Additionally, and probably the best throw-back Kasdan included is the reference directly back to William's character, Alan Parrish while we see the new characters in a tree house that Parrish build during his 26 year stay in Jumanji.

Kasdan assembled a great cast including Dwayne Johnson (Spencer), Kevin Hart (Fridge), Jack Black (Bethany), Karen Gillan (Martha), and Jonas. Like his previous movies, Kasdan added a lot of humor into this film, which had me and the audience audibly laughing at times. I am beginning to really enjoy the comedic duo that is Hart and Johnson as they complement each other well. The acting was well done across the board and one could tell the actors had a good time making this film. Black's performance must be complimented as it is no small feat to play a cell phone obsessed teenage woman stuck in a body of a middle-aged man.

Overall, Jumanji is a new part of the adventure that introduces the story to a new generation and makes it relevant to new viewers. If you go in thinking it is a continuation of the original 1996 film you will be disappointed, however, with fresh eyes one can enjoy the newness of this film and the humor it brings to the Jumanji storyline.

Recommendation: 4 Stars- Worth the laughs.