When it comes to fun action movies that are family friendly there is a wide spread of quality, usually from terrible, to watchable. The Jumanji remake was one of the few that actually managed to be enjoyable for kids and parents alike. Now it has a sequel.
If you didn’t catch the first movie, the synopsis seems pretty cringe. The first movie had the kids playing a board game that brought jungle things into the real world. The remake had the kids playing a video game and being sucked in. It sounds like a gross millennial remake.
Then when I sat down and watched the remake I was shocked at how enjoyable it was. A likeable cast playing likeable characters in a video game jungle made for a cracking watch, and Jumanji: The Next Level keeps that going.
Jumanji: The Next Level is set after the kids from the first movie catch up, but Spencer is missing. They go to his house to see why and find he has reassembled the console they destroyed at the end of the first movie. Nervously they enter it, but accidentally get pulled in with Spencer’s grandfather (Danny DeVito) and his old friend Milo (Danny Glover).
Upon entering the game they discover they have a new mission, and their characters have been shuffled around. What surprised me was watching the actors doing a good job handling totally new characters. I won’t lie, watching Kevin Hart play an old slow talking fella was entertaining.
Without spoiling the movie, there isn’t too much more to say about Jumanji: The Next Level. If you enjoyed the first movie, you should enjoy the new one. If you didnt I doubt you would enjoy this one, and if you haven’t seen it then do watch the first movie. Seriously, it has The Rock in it, it’s fun.
The Blu Ray offers a decent little package with some behind the scenes content and bloopers. Thanks to likable actors making a fun movie, these are great for a relaxed laugh after the movie.