Now, the movie isn’t without it’s faults. For the first time since they got together, I found myself getting a little bored with the Johnson-Hart combo. Don’t get me wrong, they’re both great actors, and I love seeing them in movies; I just don’t want to see them in the same ones anymore. The mammoth/tiny man dynamic is starting to getting a little stale. I mean, what’s next, Kevin Hart joining the cast of
Black Adam? All jokes aside, without Johnson and Hart, it would have been extremely difficult to draw the level of interest the reboot needed to be successful.
I also wasn’t terribly impressed with Gillan’s character, but that might be because she also starred in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 earlier this year, taking the character Nebula to a whole new level. Not only that, in Welcome to the Jungle she plays a really socially awkward teenage girl, which registers as a bit cringe-inducing at times. One suspects that her performance will likely improve after a second viewing.
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Sony Pictures)
The first film gave us a taste, but the reboot brings the world of Jumanji to life. Director Jake Kasdan has created a world that is colourful and beautiful, but at the same time dangerous, as almost every creature, person, plant or … cake, might kill you. I was really impressed with the level of detail and CGI that went into Welcome to the Jungle, which is not something that can often be said for films of this nature.
From Jack Black’s shockingly accurate portrayal of 16-year-old girl to Kevin Hart being trampled by a herd of stampeding albino rhinos, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle pays homage to the original, while creating something fun and exciting for the new generation. While I do think it’s time for the Rock and Hart to go their separate ways (cinematically speaking) they, along with Gillan, Nick Jonas, and Black did a wonderful job bringing their characters to life. Director Joe Johnston brought Jumanji to life in 1995, and 22-years later, Jake Kasdan reminds use all why we feel in love with Jumanji in the first place. It’s the kind of reboot that will have your kids wanting to watch the original. At the end of the day, what more can you ask for?
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Sony Pictures)
7
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is surprisingly entertaining take on a classic that'll push you find and dust off your old VHS collection.
Riley Jones (@moviemanjones)
Riley is the Managing Editor of Goliath. When he's not at the movie theatre or binging some new tv series, he likes to spend his time shooting hoops and play MTG. He doesn't like 'Breaking Bad,' loves 'The Simpsons,' hates mayonnaise, and has been repping the Toronto Raptors since '95. Follow him on IG and Twitter @moviemanjones.