Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), directed by Jake Kasdan, is a clever reinvention of the 1995 classic, breathing new life into the Jumanji franchise. Gone are the days of a mysterious jungle-based board game wreaking havoc in a sleepy town; this time around, the iconic game has been transported into the digital age, taking on the form of a video game that sucks players into its virtual world. This modern twist on the original concept delivers a fresh, fun, and highly entertaining adventure that blends humor, heart, and some wild action sequences. The movie embraces its digital setting, acknowledging the ridiculousness of the game’s premise and making it one of the most enjoyable cinematic experiences of the year.
The plot kicks off when four high school students—spanning different social cliques—are assigned to Saturday detention. While cleaning out the school’s storage room, they stumble upon a dusty, old video game console and decide to give it a shot. To their surprise, they are pulled into the world of Jumanji, now a video game rather than a traditional board game. But it’s not just the jungle setting that’s a new twist; the four students are transformed into avatars that reflect their inner selves in hilariously unexpected ways. Spencer (played by Alex Wolff), the nerdy and awkward teen, finds himself inhabiting the muscular, confident avatar of Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson). Fridge (played by Ser’Darius Blain), the popular jock, becomes the tiny zoologist Mouse Finbar (Kevin Hart). Martha (played by Morgan Turner), the shy girl, transforms into the beautiful and tough Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan), while the cheerleader Bethany (Madison Iseman) ends up as the nerdy professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black). The four of them must work together, navigating the dangerous world of Jumanji and solving the game’s challenges in order to escape and return to the real world. But it’s not just the game’s obstacles they’re up against; they also have to learn to embrace who they are, both in the game and out of it, if they want to survive.
A Fresh Twist on the Classic Concept
One of the key strengths of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is its ability to take the core concept of the original movie and update it for a modern audience. The shift from a physical board game to a video game is a stroke of genius, bringing the story into the digital era and tapping into the gaming culture that’s such an integral part of modern life. It’s a brilliant way to reimagine the game’s challenges, making them more interactive and immersive, as the characters literally enter the game world and become part of the action.
The concept of players being transformed into avatars, each embodying characteristics that are the opposite of who they are in real life, adds an interesting layer to the film. It gives each of the characters a chance to break free from their real-world constraints and experience life from a completely new perspective. It’s a great way to explore themes of self-discovery, identity, and growth. The shy, awkward teen who becomes a muscular action hero, the popular jock who becomes a tiny zoologist—these role reversals not only provide comedic gold but also serve as the emotional backbone of the story.
The film doesn’t shy away from the fact that it’s a fun, lighthearted adventure movie, and it wears its heart on its sleeve. Sure, there’s a lot of action and danger—raging rhinos, jungle traps, and the ever-present threat of death—but the real magic of the film lies in the relationships between the characters. They start out as stereotypes—Spencer the nerd, Fridge the jock, Martha the shy girl, and Bethany the self-absorbed cheerleader—but as they navigate the game’s perilous world, they begin to learn more about themselves and each other. By the end of the film, they’ve all grown in meaningful ways, both in terms of their personal development and their relationships with one another.
The Power of Comedy
While Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is certainly a high-octane action film, what truly sets it apart from other action-adventures is its sense of humor. This movie is flat-out hilarious, and much of that comes from the performances of its stellar cast. Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Jack Black all bring their A-game to their roles, fully committing to the absurdity of the premise and playing off each other’s strengths.
Johnson, as the fearless Dr. Smolder Bravestone, is a perfect fit for the role of the action hero. His physicality, charm, and comedic timing make him the perfect match for the character, and he delivers some of the film’s funniest moments. Watching him play a nerdy teen trapped in the body of a muscular superhero is a pure joy, and Johnson fully embraces the goofy nature of the role. His facial expressions, body language, and over-the-top heroism add to the film’s comedic tone, making every action sequence feel like a parody of traditional action movies.
Kevin Hart’s portrayal of the tiny zoologist Mouse Finbar is equally hilarious. Hart brings his trademark fast-talking, high-energy style to the role, delivering some of the film’s best one-liners. The chemistry between Hart and Johnson is electric, with the two actors playing off each other’s comedic strengths to great effect. Their banter and physical comedy create a perfect dynamic, as the two characters are forced to work together despite their vastly different personalities.
Karen Gillan, known for her role as Nebula in the Guardians of the Galaxy films, shines as Ruby Roundhouse, a tough-as-nails fighter with a mysterious past. Gillan delivers a performance that is both badass and endearing, balancing action with comedy effortlessly. It’s refreshing to see her step out of the role of the villainous Nebula and showcase her comedic chops in a completely different light. Her character also provides a nice contrast to the other avatars, as Ruby is a strong, confident woman in a world that often portrays women as damsels in distress.
Then there’s Jack Black, who, as the nerdy, socially awkward professor Shelly Oberon, steals every scene he’s in. Black’s ability to embody Bethany, a self-absorbed teen girl, is nothing short of brilliant. His performance is full of energy, and he brings a unique sense of physical comedy to the character. The way Black navigates the awkwardness of being trapped in a young woman’s body—complete with exaggerated mannerisms and over-the-top reactions—is both hilarious and oddly touching.
Action and Adventure in the Jungle
Of course, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle wouldn’t be Jumanji without its share of wild action sequences, and the movie delivers on that front. The film is packed with action, from car chases through the jungle to hair-raising escapes from dangerous creatures. The visual effects are top-notch, creating a fully realized jungle environment that feels both thrilling and immersive. Whether it’s outrunning a stampede of rhinos or escaping from a deadly trap, the stakes are always high, and the action is non-stop.
But what’s truly impressive is how the film blends the action with the emotional beats. The characters’ growth and their evolving relationships with each other are just as important as the action sequences. The game’s challenges serve as a metaphor for the obstacles they face in their personal lives, forcing them to confront their weaknesses and work together as a team. It’s this balance between action and heart that makes the film so enjoyable to watch, and it’s what sets it apart from other adventure films in the same genre.
The Final Takeaway
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is more than just a fun action-adventure film—it’s a movie about self-discovery, friendship, and embracing who you really are. It’s a film that is both thrilling and heartfelt, filled with humor, action, and emotional growth. The ensemble cast delivers unforgettable performances, bringing their unique characters to life with energy and charm. The film doesn’t take itself too seriously, and that’s part of its appeal. It’s a wild ride from start to finish, and it’s the kind of movie that makes you smile long after the credits roll.
By reimagining the Jumanji franchise for a new generation, Welcome to the Jungle successfully captures the spirit of the original while updating it for modern audiences. It’s a perfect balance of nostalgia and innovation, blending the whimsical magic of the original with a fresh, modern twist. It’s a movie that’s not just for kids, but for anyone who’s ever wanted to escape into an adventure, confront their fears, and maybe have a few laughs along the way.
If you haven’t already experienced Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, it’s definitely worth checking out. Whether you’re a fan of the original or just looking for a fun, action-packed movie with a bit of heart, this is one wild ride you won’t want to miss.
