Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Spoiler Free Review

Finally got to Watch Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle booked a 9 o clock screening as early as 4 o clock since Ive wanted to see this since December last year. Since the Philippines held the Metro Manila Film Festival last December the movie Jumanji: Welcome the Jungle was moved to a much later date to January 8 instead of the December 21 as it was originally intended. I've tried to stay away from movie reviews and pretty much anything pertaining to this film in preparation for making this review. I had watched the first Jumanji (1995) movie years ago when I was a kid and ive re-watched it and done a review of the first film in preparation for this new film.

This is a spoiler free review since I feel this is a movie that everyone should experience watching themselves.

You can read my Jumanji (1995) here: Jumanji (1995) Review

Jumaniji: Welcome to the Jungle is directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers, Scott Rosenberg, and Jeff Pinkner, from a story by McKenna. Its the second installment in the Jumanji franchise, based on the 1981 children's book of the same name by Chris Van Allsburg. It is a stand-alone sequel to Jumanji(1995). It stars Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas, and Bobby Cannavale.

The plot follows four teenagers who are suddenly transported into a video game world of Jumanji, playing as the characters they chose and must overcome the game's magical power in order to return home. Pretty much a cliche plot line by anime standards nowadays but this is one of the movies shines best. The game Jumanji moves and acts like a game, anything you would expect that would happen while playing a game is represented in the game. Like how a certain character who is meek and cowardly in real life is now super strong because his avatar is a super strong one. The movie makes fun of this facts in a really entertaining and fun way.

Being a guy that loved games I know a lot of these so called video game tropes and I love how this movie makes fun of them and incorporate it in the movie without being forced. Not everyone could relate to them unless your into games or have a basic understanding of them but Im sure nearly everyone knows the basics by now. Theres even a weak easter egg reference to the game Contra on this film but I wont spoil what it is you need to watch the movie and find out what it is for yourselves.

All the main characters are extremely well written, fun and memorable. A geeky genius video game nerd at school who is awkward at girls is suddenly turned into this strong, manly adventurer character. Or that tall football jock suddenly found himself to be the shortest guy in the group and he is the slowest runner too. The movie reminds you of how misplaced their characters are without the concept being forced. The characters develop as the movie progresses and they learn some life values along the way. The only weak part for me is the main villain. He is just there to be the antagonist of the film. A person that is supposed to be this all powerful bad guy but you hardly feel how powerful he is.

Visually and effects of the film is impressive. And a lot of the cgi is well done except for a few minor scenes here and there. Sure that mountain tiger thingie seen in the trailer looked like something from an 80's cartoon, motorcycles riding into the jungle firing guns, a character menu, enemies that go flying when punched and a whole lot of other cliché over the top scenes that enhances the enjoyment of the film and makes you feel that they are in a video game.

I like how this movie slightly references the original Jumanji movie you see in the trailer with the original board game yet being its own thing. Its nice that you dont need to watch the original Jumanji (1995) film to enjoy this movie. The hints are lightly sprinkled here and there on the film. I counted at least two.

I like also how this film incorporated background music into the film signifying when something big is going to go down, kind of like how the music changes during a Boss fight in a video game or some character use certain abilities. 

Id preferred they labeled this movie a G rating but stuff happened in this game that isn't really for the kids. Like that guy exploding when he ate that cake because that is his characters weakness. Or how one of the character has a Lara Croft-ish avatar and fights in skimpy shorts and a short top. So yeah this movie deserved a PG rating despite how fun and enjoyable this movie is.

Overall the movie is pure entertainment from beginning to end and something id easily recommend to anyone wanting to have a good fun time watching movies. It has a lot of video game references and makes fun of the them without being forced. If you are a fan of Jumanji and have seen the original film, are into video games, like Indiana Jones or lara Croft-ish adventure movies, or just a casual moviegoer that wants to have a good laugh and enjoy an adventurous movie then this movie is definitely for you. Id probably given this a perfect score but it still suffers from a weak villain in my opinion.