Review of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) by Bradley J — 27 Dec 2017

If there was a film this year that brought me as much consistent fun as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle did, then I sure don't remember it. The joy I had with the film was even more potent due to my immensely lowered expectations towards the film and its unecessariness.

However, Jumanji 2017 is hilarious, and features some of the most well-crafted action scenes of the year. The cast has a brilliant dynamic and their camaraderie is fun to watch and because the film is so character focused, we get many nice moments amongst the players.

Top of all is Jack Black, who channels his inner teenage popular girl brilliantly. The film never allows for the shtick to get old and each character receives the ideal amount of screen time and shining moments to make the humor constantly fresh.

Also, lovers of retro video games will find a lot to admire in the execution of the fight scenes and in-game consistencies, such as strengths and weaknesses stats, and the coldness of the in-game characters.

It isn't breaking much ground with its frivolity, but Jumanji achieves a level of fun that is all too rare nowadays and even a hint of the bittersweet. Rating: 82.