Released in theatres a few weeks ago, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is continuing to be a large box office draw, and so my wife and I went to see it in 3D, (this being my second time seeing the film). This film both compliments the original Jumanji, (1995 starring Robin Williams), and breaks enough original ground to stand on it’s own with plenty of action, laughs, and fun. The film is about some teenagers who get pulled into a game of adventure and danger where they become the characters in the game and try to survive against a wild, jungle setting, (as opposed to the original which had the jungle come to them). Once in the game, familiar faces appear including Dwayne Johnson (poking some fun at the usual strong hero role), Jack Black (stealing scenes in a more complicated role), Kevin Hart (always making funny commentary), and Karen Gillan (kicking butt and hilariously playing with the inexperienced self inside the action heroine). Director Jake Kasdan previously made Sex Tape (2014 comedy with Cameron Diaz) and usually directs tv episodes but here crafts a film that is well paced, fun, and accessible. Both Jumanji films were based on the 1981 book by Chris Van Allsburg, and this film came together from 4 screenwriters (which should be scary but this film is enjoyable for the full 2 hours. It was fun to see the actors poke fun at themselves through the role including the male lead’s bodies and Ruby Roundhouse’s outfit, (a nod to Lara Croft/Tomb Raider). Filmed primarily in Hawaii, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a great example of how to reuse previous films ideas to make new films, as opposed to a complete reboot or a direct sequel, (more on this below in the spoiler section).

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

IMDB

2017, PG, 1h 59m

Spoilers

(please do not continue reading if you have not seen the movie and do not want to read a spoiler)

I believe this film is a good example of how to reuse a previously made film into a new one, without having to reboot or be a direct sequel. This acts as another entry in the same universe of the original, updating the board game premise into the more modern video game idea. It would have setup for a sequel, (surprising with how much money it has made that there is not one announced yet), except for the fact the characters smashed the console with the bowling ball, (answer Fridge’s question of what that ball would be used for). It also pays homage to the original, referencing Robin Williams’ character Alan, his house he built in the jungle, Colin Hanks named his son after him. I also appreciated that nearly everything the film shows you has some significance later in the film. Notice the schools’ mascot is the jaguar (they are also the Defenders of the last level), Spencer playing Street Fighter (later Dwayne Johnson calls out the same moves dispatching a thug in the market), the above mentioned bowling ball, and even Bethany’s selfie taking (which almost helped Jack Black’s snake starring contest). The movie industry should learn some lessons from this film, let enough time pass between incarnations, pay respect to the original, and make enough of an update/reimagining that allows the film to stand on its own. Hiring charismatic leads that buy into the genre and fun helps too.