In 1995 we were treated to Jumanji, starring the amazing Robin Williams, a movie about a board game that comes to life. If you don't win you die, for real, and each turn a player takes can have dire consequences. This movie was fun and innovative. My middle-school self loved it, but was freaked out at the same time. Thank goodness board games aren't really like that!
Fast forward to 2017 (the movie came out over Christmas; I finally saw it), and the game has changed, literally. Who plays board games these days??!! (A point the movie makes, but we all know board games are still very cool. Go check out same of the indie/international games that have come out in the last couple decade. Awesome stuff). Anywho, who plays board games . . . ? Video games are where it's at, and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, to remain devilishly relevant, must reinvent itself. Gone is the board game with a game cartridge in its place, old school style.
A group of four High Schoolers find themselves in detention. These aren't your run-of-the-mill trouble makers--that's too cliché--these kids have potential, they just have a little something to learn. While in detention Jumanji, the video game, is discovered, and to avoid work they decide to play while picking avatars. Suddenly they're zapped into the game where they become the avatars they've chosen, bringing about opportunities and laughs.
And that's where the spoilers end.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is great fun. It really is. I laughed so much throughout.
I love how this movie is a stand-alone extension of the original movie. You don't need to see the first movie to enjoy this new film, though the 1995 version is still great, but this new movie is its own entity.
In the middle of the movie my Dad leaned over to me and said, "This is dumb enough to be good." I agree, though not so much dumb as just silly and fun. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle doesn't take itself seriously, yet it's still a solid film. The action is great, the pacing good, with a lot of humorous moments.
If you want a fun movie that's a true escape film go see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
MPAA: Rated PG-13 for adventure action, suggestive content and some language.
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