Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Jake Kasdan, Columbia Pictures, PG, 119 Minutes.
In 1995 Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s classic Jumanji was adapted to the screen by writer Greg Taylor starring the late and great Robin Williams with Taylor returning for the reimagining of the timeless tale under new director Jake Kasdan.
In Kasdan’s version four teenagers are sucked into the magical video boardgame-Spencer (Alex Wolff – ‘Dude’), Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain – ‘Footloose’), Bethany (Madison Iseman – ‘Ghost Squad’) and Martha (Morgan Turner – ‘Quitters’).
The four are transported to a jungle setting assuming the game characters they’d chosen earlier, the now reincarnated Dwayne Johnson (‘Baywatch’) becomes explorer Smolder Bravestone aka Spencer; Kevin Hart (‘Ride Along’) is zoologist Franklin Finbar aka Fridge; Karen Gillan (‘Selfie’) is Ruby Roundhouse aka Martha, while Black is the cartographer Shelly Oberon aka Bethany.
Their challenge is to return a jewel to a mountain top stolen by arch-villain and controller of the jungle animals Van Pelt (Bobby Cannavale – ‘Ant-Man’), knowing they can only sacrifice two of their three lives in this fantasy world.
To complicate matters further the foursome then come across Alex (Nick Jonas – ‘Midway’) another person sucked in some 20 years earlier who is more than willing to help them achieve their objective of returning to their real world.
With time running-out they must each overcome Van Pelt’s villainous ploys, return the stolen jewel to its rightful place on the mountain top and say the magic word that will convey them back home and into their real bodies.
There is no denying that Kasdan’s rendition has transformed the story into a much more exciting adventure fantasy than the ‘Jumanji’ movie released in 1995 through the sumptuous Hawaiian settings, some great special effects and a well-chosen ensemble cast.
In addition to a thrilling storyline, one cannot overlook the enjoyable performances of the popular Johnson and Black, in particular the energetic Gillan, ensuring that the Jumanji reboot is a more entertaining experience than the original.
It is also fair to suggest, based on in the concluding scene, there is already a sequel on the way.
Jumanji – Welcome To The Jungle is being televised on 9GO at 7.00pm on Saturday 10 July.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
