"Welcome to the jungle!"

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Mini Review

[13rd of December, 2017]

[PG-13, 1hr 59min, Action, Adventure, Comedy]

As I've mentioned in my instagram post, I was highly skeptical of this different reinterpretation of the flawed 1995 classic Jumanji but after a positive reviews around the internet, I can't help but feel optimistic going in and truth be told I was pleasantly surprised how enjoyable it was! Using the original's template and applying it in a much newer situation and in one singular situation, it is a more streamlined version of the premise while doubling down on the video game concept to the benefits of the film. It is disheartening for me to admit that this is the best video game movie out there that don't even based on any intellectual property at all! Nevertheless, they pay homage to the board game in many ways while bravely venturing out on their own, using the video game's many traits to fill in the storyline and propel their forced journey together. It might not be as homely and full of family values as the original, but there are replaced by a nonstop action with underlying sense of friendship.

Oh, I just have to highlight the main cast as their on-screen charms and chemistry with each other are what makes the whole movie. Their vibrant personalities are at the forefront as they portray their 'real life' counterparts to the best of their abilities as they are all entertaining in all their own ways. Their over the top reactions are fitting when they are surrounded by terrifying game mechanics and all out action sequences galore! Speaking of which, since this is a commentary on how games were designed back in the day, there is fear of them being too campy but they straddle the line expertly with knowing nods and disapproval complains from the players themselves. All in all, go in with the perception of being entertained silly from start to finish since there will a lot of laughs, action and surprising amount of heart! Aww ...

wiki - IMDb

P.S. The kids' counterpart are being sidelined to the beginning and the end of the film but the setup of their life is effective enough that they came through the avatars and make us root for them to finish the game and go back to real life!
P.P.S. If you've seen the original movie and remember the ending, you can see the similarities in how this 'sequel' ends ...
P.P.P.S. [Spoiler Alert!] Compared to how the original boardgame drifted ashore in Japan if my mind serves me correctly, teasing of another adventure to come, this 2017 edition ended with a bowling ball through the console, rendering it useless(?). I won't mind seeing another Jumanji video game adventure, but if they follow their direction by changing up the medium of the game yet again, I'll be fully interested to see what they could come up next! Dungeons and Dragons?! YES!