Jumanji Story: Four highschool children discover an old online game console and get pulled into the game's jungle setting. They quickly realise that they do not just need to play the game as the avatar variations of themselves- they need to survive it too.
Jumanji Review: In the age of Hollywood's obsession with franchise-building and reboots, the speculation for a sequel to 1995's 'Jumanji' came throughout as another eye-roll worthy challenge. However, the mix of charming actors Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillian and Kevin Hart, made it evident that this may finish up both being a whole trainwreck, or sheer senseless a laugh. Fortunately, 'Welcome to the Jungle' falls solidly into the latter category. The chemistry between the lead solid is evident and the script makes probably the most of this by giving every actor moments to polish and showcase their talents while they obviously experience taking part in their characters.
Johnson's younger personality Spencer is a nerdy guy who has lived a sheltered life and is frightened of the arena. When he enters the game he is taking at the avatar of a hunk and not using a discernible bodily weak point. Johnson has a laugh with this switch of personality and observing him go back and forth does not get old. The similar goes for Jack Black who plays a self-absorbed, social media addicted teenage woman Bethany. Her switch into Black's trademark rotund shape is probably the most extreme and finally ends up being hilarious. While Black and Johnson are attractive as they are completely solid against their typical selves, Gillian and Hart are not too some distance behind taking part in an awkward, insecure however intelligent woman, and an all-star jock boy trapped in a less-than-stellar physique respectively.
This whole body-switch premise works on slapstick humour that's not crass and moves temporarily with abundant motion to be sure that the 2-hour runtime does not really feel bulky at any point. Granted there is a villain downside with Bobby Cannavale's Van Pelt being as one-dimensional as they come. It's conveniently defined away as this is all a online game, and the similar regulations apply for its loss of intensity. 'Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle' finally ends up being a a laugh, holiday movie that can keep you entertained enough to make it price your money and time.
