Written by: Devin Burrow, managing editor
Movie title page including actors (Left to Right): Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart and Jack Black. Courtesy Forbes.com
Columbia Pictures released Jumanji: The Next Level December 13, 2019. It is the third movie in the franchise, with the first movie premiering in 1995 starring the late Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt.
The previous film, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,left our team, played by Alex Wolff, Madison Iseman, Morgan Turner and Ser’Darius Blain, destroying the video game that originally sucked them into the world of Jumanji.
Jumanji: The Next Level introduces new Characters (Left to Right): Milo (Danny Glover) and Eddy (Danny DeVito); Courtesy of ScreenRant.com
This time around, the team has to go back into the game after discovering that Spencer (Alex Wolff) had restored the game—an update from the original film’s board game—and disappeared into the world of Jumanji. They are joined by Spencer’s Grandfather Eddy (Danny DeVito) and his friend Milo (Danny Glover).
After being brought into the game, the group is given their avatars, or characters, and have to survive with only three lives in the game. The game differs this time as there are new strengths and weaknesses for the avatars and new environments with which they must interact, including sand dunes and winter forests.
Protagonist Spencer (Alex Wolff) and his Grandfather Eddy (Danny DeVito) playing a video game; Courtesy of digitalspy.com
Arguably the funniest parts of the movies center around Danny Devito’s character Eddy and his inability to understand the reality of the situation.
Repeated comments such as, “We’re in a video game?” from his character bring frustration to the other characters, but laughter from the audience.
The original group plays alongside A-list actors Jack Black, Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart. Certain actors have to portray their best impression of Danny DeVito, bringing another element of comedy to the movie.
Jack Black and Karen Gillan posing terrified after being chased in the second act of the movie; courtesy of pressherald.com
Jumanji struggled to keep my attention in its third act because it felt very drawn out. By this point, I felt that I had received my dose of humor for the day and found myself wanting the film to be over.
That being said, Jumanji has some amazing humorous moments and is very creative in many situations the film portrays, like a chase from a pack of ostriches, all while keeping the story fresh with just the right amount of nostalgia.
I would recommend Juminji to anyone who wants to go to the movies with friends and have a good time. However, it is not perfect and should be enjoyed simply for its creative and often ridiculous premise.
Jumanji: the Next Level is rated PG-13 and is currently showing in Theaters in the Chattanooga area.
*Note: this article expresses the ideas and opinions of the author and are not a reflection of the views of the Triangle or Bryan College as a whole.
Devin Burrow is the managing editor for BryanTriangle.com. He is a senior communications major with an emphasis in digital media. Devin loves movies and cooking food for his friends and family.
