In 1995, we saw the original Jumanji come to our screens, starring Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst and the late Robin Williams. In this film, we watch a teenage boy and his friend stumble across the magical board game, called Jumanji. Little do they know that this is a game like no other, with disastrous life changing consequences which will not end until every player finishes the game.

In 2017, an all new cast, including Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Nick Jonas and Bobby Cannavale brought Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle to our screens.

I know what many of you are thinking: How dare we attempt to replace the amazing work that Robin Williams has done?

I know what you’re saying, believe me. Robin Williams was an irreplaceable actor, whose fine work was an asset to every filmmaker lucky enough to have him on their set. However, I do not feel that the intent behind this film was to replace anything, or anyone.

In this instalment of Jumanji, director Jake Kasdan adapts the concept to the twenty-first century; making the game even more powerful.

In this new adaptation, we see the board game buried in the beginning of the film. Twenty years later in the present time, curiosity gets the better of a group of four very different teenagers in detention. The children stumble across a game console in their school utility closet, and unwittingly find themselves transported to the world of Jumanji; where the only way to leave is to win the game. Like a video game, each player takes on the identity of the character they choose. Each player is given a certain number of lives (in this case three), and is expected to navigate their way through a number of levels and challenges; each one more difficult than the last.

 

Now, Jumanji is just one of many classic, loved films to have a re-make done on it in recent years. This is a very risky move for filmmakers to take, for as human beings, we are creatures of habit. Change is rarely ever a good thing to the subconscious mind, and if the change is not tastefully done, it can be a disaster.

Personally, I take my hat off to Kasdan. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was not a replica of the original Jumanji story, but a variation of the classic story for the next generation. The concept of the characters finding themselves inside a virtual reality game is a reflection of the times we live in, as technology plays its part. However, some things are classic, as the four teenagers, amongst battling with the issues surrounding phones and social media, also tackle things like puppy love and friendship which come with being a teenager. One particular modern twist we see is Jack Black playing the part of airhead Bethany, trapped inside the body of an overweight male cartographer named Professor Sheldon Oberon.

In the end, the children not only finish the game and return to reality with a renewed outlook on life, they also rescue another victim of Jumanji who has been trapped in the game for twenty years (Nick Jonas).

 

To sum up, I give Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 4/5 stars. While it was altered for today’s generation, I felt that it stayed true to the original. I was particularly touched by the tribute to Robin Williams with the carving of his character’s name.

What do you think? Do you agree with me? Be sure to comment below. If you haven’t seen the film yet, make sure you check out the trailer!