Today’s quick review: Jumanji. Alan Parrish (Robin Williams) loses twenty-six years of his life when, as a boy, he’s trapped in Jumanji, a cursed board game. He’s finally released from the jungles of Jumanji when Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce), two siblings living in Alan’s old house, begin playing the game. The three must survive the deadly challenges Jumanji throws at them to beat the game and restore everything to normal.
Jumanji is a family adventure comedy about a board game that brings the perils of the jungle to life for anyone unfortunate enough to play it. Robin Williams stars as Alan Parrish, a prisoner of the game who must work with two children to finally escape its grasp. Jumanji features a unique premise that serves up plenty of opportunities for action, humor, and drama. The result is a well-rounded family movie that’s memorable, if not exceptional.
Jumanji skews a little dark for a family film. The threats conjured by the board game are genuinely dangerous, an assortment of jungle creatures and hazards that are fully capable of killing the main characters. The story also touches on some dark concepts, revolving around a boy who lost the life he knew with a single roll of the dice. Neither of these factors is overwhelming, but they do give it more bite than the average kids’ film.
Jumanji more or less accomplishes what it sets out to do. Judy, Peter, and Alan play off each other well. The game’s hazards can seem capricious at times, but that’s in keeping with the premise. The special effects hold up fairly well, with the right balance of CGI and practical effects to get the job done. The movie’s comedy is always present but never seems to take center stage, a compromise that balances out the tone quite nicely.
Jumanji is a decent pick if you’re interested in a family-friendly adventure with some heavier themes and a sharper sense of danger than usual. Jumanji is a solidly constructed film that avoids any major missteps, but it doesn’t have the same impact as other films that specialize in a single area. The strength of its premise and the consistency of its exeuction make it a worthwhile watch, but those looking to be impressed may want to look elsewhere.
For another family adventure with a fair amount of peril, try The Adventures of Tintin. For the lighter, comedy-oriented sequel, try Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.
7.0 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it the same for solid execution of a novel premise.