It’s surprising that we have a Jumanji sequel already, especially since the last one came out only two years ago. The once novel premise, of getting transported into a magical video game and inhabiting the body of video game avatars, is no longer surprising, but Jumanji: The Next Level tries to make the journey feel new while still sticking to the general template established by its predecessor.
The big changes this time around are Eddie (Danny DeVito) and Milo (Danny Glover), two old friends who have become estranged over the years. They join the young adults Fridge and Martha in Jumanji as they search for Spencer, who had disappeared into the game. To their surprise, they get into the wrong bodies: while Martha is still Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) Eddie becomes the musclebound Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson) and Milo becomes the diminutive Moose Finbar (Kevin Hart, ans Fridge becomes Dr. Shelby Oberon (Jack Black). Later, we find out that Spencer has become a sprightly thief, Ming Fleetgoot (Awkwafina).
While there is a plot- the players have to retrieve an important item from the villain, Jurgen the Brutal (Rory McCann)- the focus is mostly on letting the characters be outrageous and interacting with each other. The Rock gets to act like Danny DeVito while Kevin Hart gets to speak in winding, measured sentences that run for too long. The set pieces are also fresh and varied: there’s a sequence with hanging bridges and mandrils that stands out.
Other than that, the best thing that can be said about the film is that it chugs along at a good pace without getting stuck.
Elements such as Spencer and Martha’s relationship and Milo and Eddie’s friendship are there to add emotional weight to the narrative, but Jumanji: The Next Level is at its best when rolling through the next big set piece, like a cinematic roller coaster ride.
It’s surprising that we have a Jumanji sequel already, especially since the last one came out only two years ago. The once novel premise, of getting transported into a magical video game and inhabiting the body of video game avatars, is no longer surprising, but Jumanji: The Next Level tries to make the journey feel new while still sticking to the general template established by its predecessor.
The big changes this time around are Eddie (Danny DeVito) and Milo (Danny Glover), two old friends who have become estranged over the years. They join the young adults Fridge and Martha in Jumanji as they search for Spencer, who had disappeared into the game. To their surprise, they get into the wrong bodies: while Martha is still Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) Eddie becomes the musclebound Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson) and Milo becomes the diminutive Moose Finbar (Kevin Hart, ans Fridge becomes Dr. Shelby Oberon (Jack Black). Later, we find out that Spencer has become a sprightly thief, Ming Fleetgoot (Awkwafina).
While there is a plot- the players have to retrieve an important item from the villain, Jurgen the Brutal (Rory McCann)- the focus is mostly on letting the characters be outrageous and interacting with each other. The Rock gets to act like Danny DeVito while Kevin Hart gets to speak in winding, measured sentences that run for too long. The set pieces are also fresh and varied: there’s a sequence with hanging bridges and mandrils that stands out.
Other than that, the best thing that can be said about the film is that it chugs along at a good pace without getting stuck.
Elements such as Spencer and Martha’s relationship and Milo and Eddie’s friendship are there to add emotional weight to the narrative, but Jumanji: The Next Level is at its best when rolling through the next big set piece, like a cinematic roller coaster ride.
