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Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle

Directed by Jake Kasdan

Written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, Jeff Pinker

Cast: Dwayne Johnon, Jack black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, Bobby Cannavale, Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Ser’Darius Blain, Morgan Turner

Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle is a remake of the original Jumanji (1995). It was directed by Jake Kasdan who gave us comedic gold such as Bad Teacher (2011) and Sex Tape (2014).

The film follows four high school teenagers that aren’t friends- but rather each starkly contrasting- who come across an old video game console and are transported into the game Jumanji and become their chosen game characters. It is soon discovered that in order for them to return back to the reality of the real world they must win, the game by surviving the levels. Along the way, they meet another teen who has been stuck in the game for the last 20 years named Alex Vreeke.

The film stars the adult's version of the teens Dwayne Johnson as Spencer/Dr. Smolder Bravestone; Jack Black as Bethany/Professor Sheldon; Kevin Hart as Anthony/Franklin Finbar; Karen Gillan as Martha/Ruby Roundhouse; and Nick Jonas as Alex/aircraft pilot.

Undoubtedly this film is pure comedic genius, it is captivating, adventurous, action-packed and there’s not a dull moment. The choice for the cast was brilliant in the way it cleverly created complete contrast for each character inside and outside of the game- which made it more exciting. Spencer (Alex Wolff) was great. He did the character justice, Spencer is shy, awkward, frightened of just about anything, but he has moments where he can speak up for himself. That all changed when he turned into Dr Bravestone we see him come out of his comfort zone but still hold the sentiments of  Spencer's traits.

Then we meet the two stereotypical popular high school students,  Anthony (Ser’Darius Blain) the jock who plays for the High School football team, he doesn’t care for anything besides football. Alongside Bethany (Madison Iseman) the all American pretty girl who portrays the self-absorbed popular girl that everyone admires- well some people envying her beauty and life.

Finally, we have Martha (Morgan Turner) who is practically the female version of Spencer- she is an intellectual, but she is more judgemental, stuck up as she shows ignorance towards others and doesn’t particularly trust people around her.

 What was awesome about the film is each character managed to present themselves and you could feel and see the great chemistry when together. Spencer (Alex Wolff)  from being small, shy, and unconfident to being the very impressive, charming, attractive, huge muscular of Dr Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson) was just brilliant he is practically an alter ego for Spencer. Seeing Dwayne Johnson play as Dr Smolder being great at everything was him playing himself to be truthful besides when he is emotional, sensitive and awkwardness but to quote Bethany “that is a man” the man can do no wrong. Spencer started to gain his confidence and grow into understanding that he is capable despite what Anthony may think of him he proved to himself that he can lead out of the crew Spencer/Bravestone is the most experienced as an avid player of video games.

Anthony (Ser’DDarius Blain) (sigh) he was a jerk, selfish doesn’t take any responsibility only caring about his reputation and football and using his former best friend to do his work to just stay on the team, and knowing the reason why he stopped being friends with Spencer was for his own self-promotion. Anthony transforms into Franklin Finbar (Kevin Hart) he seems to not have liked the idea that he didn’t have his abilities from reality instead turned into a small man, who he is Bravestone’s side quick making him adjust to not being the main attraction and the alpha male Kevin Hart was playing himself he is a comedic man so you would expect the laughs that in serious moments it was hard to take him seriously especially with his distinctive voice that is high pitched. But of course with Anthony’s personality coming through.

Bethany was a complete surprise from this gorgeous, phone addict (relatable in today’s society) and it’s all about me girl turning into a chubby middle-aged man (Sheldon Oberon) this was the best part of the whole film having Jack Black who is one of the best comedy actors there is play as a snobby, teenage girl was and is iconic. we see Bethany start to become very aware of herself and that the world doesn’t revolve around her.

Martha from being shy, and judgemental into being Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) who is an alter ego for Martha as she thinks that she isn’t attractive and that because of the way she is she isn’t accepted. Karen Gillan is an incredible talent from when she was in the BBC’s doctor who. She really got into the character of being this complete martial arts expert and dance fighter but being Martha at the same time with feeling uncomfortable with her outfit that was showing her body we saw Martha start to open up instead of being stiff and closed off being more accepting of others.

Let’s not forget about Nick Jonas who played as Alex Vreeke avatar/ Seaplane McDonough. Kudos to Nick Jonas played the character well, of course, seeing Jonas was reminiscing of many teenage hearts Bethany/Sheldon’s reaction was respectable when first seeing Seaplane. Having Bethany fall for Alex/Seaplane was great especially when being portrayed by Jack Black was phenomenal.

The villain Van pelt (Bobby Cannavale) threw the film a little off, wasn’t much of a stand out villain usually when there is antagonist you can feel their presence even if they aren’t in the scene. But you don’t get that in the film until the end when it’s him against the team. To be fair it did put more focus on the group and their mission and them being in a conflict situation we see them start working together having a friendship being built we see that at the end of the film when they are back to reality.

Overall Jumanji is worth the watch some may agree it was a surprising film. It was literally an all-rounder film with comedy, adventure, thrill-seeking. Could heart-harming and love be added to the table? why not it gave us everything.