Jumanji: The Next Level
Year: 2019
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart & Dwayne Johnson
Runtime: 123 mins
BBFC: 12
Published: 04/01/20
Director: Jake Kasdan
Starring: Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Kevin Hart & Dwayne Johnson
Runtime: 123 mins
BBFC: 12
Published: 04/01/20
2017’s Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a surprise hit that managed to reboot the series in a way that felt true to the original film, yet entirely its own thing unshackled by what came before.
The sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level does for the most part do little different from Welcome to the Jungle, but the difference in cast members and lessons learned is enough to make it not feel stale.
Still starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan as ‘avatars’ (if you’re unfamiliar with how the first film worked you’ll lose me here) but this time round they are portraying (save Gillan) different actors from last time with additions to the ‘gamer’ cast from Danny DeVito & Danny Glover and additions to the ‘avatar’ cast from Akwafina.
Set two years after Welcome to the Jungle, The Next Level opens with the ‘gamer’ cast from the first film exploring new adventures in life such as travelling and college. Though when they all go back to their hometown and plan to meet up in the run up to Christmas, Spencer comes to the realisation that he isn’t happy with who he is outside of the Jumanji game so he goes back in to relive his experiences as Dr. Bravestone. When friends Bethany, Fridge and Martha realise this they attempt to bring him back...though unforeseen complications occur and Spencer’s grandfather and his former business associate enter the game instead.
Jumanji: The Next Level may play it safe when it comes to the moment to moment beats, but the risks it takes with the cast and the flexibility of the actors in these roles is hugely commendable. On top of that The Next Level is generally a good time.
Another win for the Jumanji reboot series, here’s hoping the inevitable third entry sticks the landing.
The sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level does for the most part do little different from Welcome to the Jungle, but the difference in cast members and lessons learned is enough to make it not feel stale.
Still starring Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan as ‘avatars’ (if you’re unfamiliar with how the first film worked you’ll lose me here) but this time round they are portraying (save Gillan) different actors from last time with additions to the ‘gamer’ cast from Danny DeVito & Danny Glover and additions to the ‘avatar’ cast from Akwafina.
Set two years after Welcome to the Jungle, The Next Level opens with the ‘gamer’ cast from the first film exploring new adventures in life such as travelling and college. Though when they all go back to their hometown and plan to meet up in the run up to Christmas, Spencer comes to the realisation that he isn’t happy with who he is outside of the Jumanji game so he goes back in to relive his experiences as Dr. Bravestone. When friends Bethany, Fridge and Martha realise this they attempt to bring him back...though unforeseen complications occur and Spencer’s grandfather and his former business associate enter the game instead.
Jumanji: The Next Level may play it safe when it comes to the moment to moment beats, but the risks it takes with the cast and the flexibility of the actors in these roles is hugely commendable. On top of that The Next Level is generally a good time.
Another win for the Jumanji reboot series, here’s hoping the inevitable third entry sticks the landing.