Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

27 December 2019

The rebooted Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle film of 2017 (7/10) showed the world that the franchise could hold its own decades after the original film. With the reimagining of the plot being based on a video game they appealed to the imaginations of a new generation of kids, while also offering fun nostalgia for the adults.

In this sequel, our now college-bound heroes meet up again in this fantasy world, introducing a new cast of characters and avatars alike. This film also plays around a little with the world, introducing new abilities and features to continue with that sense of wonder that the series should provide. It was also very amusing to see how the game characters (played by Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart) changed between the films.

It's a fun movie, just like the last one. Unfortunately there are some side plots and scenes that exist more for explaining things instead of moving the story along (getting Milo out of prison), or serving as a joke vehicle than for the story (the arrival of the Kababish brothers). Granted it's still an action/comedy film, but some scenes could go a little long. Effects were fun, acting was great, and the music was entertaining (I loved the hinting of Lawrence of Arabia music in the score). I hope they continue making these, because they're fun, solid movies to watch. 7/10