Jumanji: The Next Level

“In Jumanji: The Next Level, the gang is back (Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan) but the game has changed. As they return to Jumanji to rescue on of their own, they discover that nothing is as they expect. With more action and surprises, the players will have to brave parts unknown and unexplored, from the arid deserts to the snowy mountains, in order to escape.”

Jumanji: The Next Level opens with the gang texting each other about how excited they are to come back home for the holidays to see one another. All of them seem to be thriving outside the game, going to college, separated by long distances but still staying in touch. The only one who doesn’t seem to be doing well is Spencer (Alex Wolff), living in New York City and feeling particularly isolated from his friends, once the hero Dr. Bravestone, now a nobody. When Spencer gets back home to find his grandfather Eddie (Danny DeVito) staying with them while he recovers from surgery as well as staying in his room, Spencer needs an escape from this world. When he doesn’t show up for the meetup with Martha (Morgan Turner), Bethany (Madison Iseman), and Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain), his friends go to his house to check on him, only to find out he’s nowhere to be seen, and the Jumanji video game repaired in the basement. The gang decides to go in to save Spencer, but when inside, nothing is as they expect.

It was going to be hard topping Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, as the action/adventure and comedy aspects of the film were so well done. Somehow, they’ve exceeded those expectations and created even more grand than the first. The world is bigger, the characters, and the comedy.

Right away, the biggest difference is the characters that are controlling the avatars. Instead of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart playing the same characters they did in the previous film, they are now playing the characters of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, creating hilarious sequences that far surpass the original. Although Johnson and Hart have played opposite each other in several films now, this franchise is definitely the highlight of their collaboration, and if there was any doubt about the acting abilities of either one, this job they do at impersonating the older men is simply astonishing and makes the film. Jack Black also has quite the change in this film having someone else play his avatar, resulting in some very funny moments. What these core actors are able to accomplish is to make the audience able to see the people that are supposed to be playing them. I was able to see Milo and Eddie in Bravestone and Mouse, I was able to see Fridge in Professor Oberon, and keeping the group grounded with Martha as Ruby. Perhaps one of the best improvements of this film is the addition of some new characters including Ming (Awkwafina). I have no shame in admitting I had no idea who or what Awkwafina was before seeing this film, but I was surprised as hell in discovering how versatile an actor she is and how great her performance and comedic timing were. She’s able to perfectly embody the two characters she plays in the film.

Not only do many of the characters change, but as does the entire game of Jumanji. The story seems richer, more elaborate, with beautiful scenery changes that make this version of the game seem much more epic, with Rory McCann playing the villain, Jurgen the Brutal. Even the strengths and weaknesses of the characters have changed, making everything about this time around different, and if this will be the case in any future sequel, I’m all for seeing as many of these films as possible.

While the first film explored themes of accepting yourself, strengths and weaknesses alike, it’s expanded to themes such as forgiveness, repairing relationships, learning to accept old age. These themes are woven fluidly into the story and give it a lot of heart, balanced perfectly with the comedy to make the film just as special as the first.

Jumanji: The Next Level takes another step in connecting these newer films with the original Robin Williams film, re-introducing the character of Nora (Bebe Neuwirth) as the owner of the restaurant purchased from Eddie and Milo. This, along with the credits sequence, points to a direction the franchise may be heading that is very similar to the original. If another one is made, hopefully we can see some other original characters make an appearance. Regardless, the possibilities of the next installment are endless, and I for one cannot wait to see what they come up with.

Video

Jumanji: The Next Level is presented in 1080p High Definition Widescreen 2.39:1. This film looks absolutely fantastic. Color levels are well balanced, with the picture clear and detailed. The look of the film changes drastically as it progresses, with the orange/yellow tint of the desert, green of the lush jungle lands, and the pure white of the mountain snow sequences. With all the wonderful looking sequences, this is one I would want to pick up in 4k to see the colors look even more vivid.

Audio

The audio is presented DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. The audio track sounds great as well, with a good balance between the surrounds and center channel. There is no shortage of action sequences to highlight the great track that utilizes the surrounds. Explosions, stampeding animals, you never know what is next in this film.

Special Features

There is a great list of extras to enjoy on this set. Hilarious, and worth taking a look at if you enjoyed the film. These include:

• Body Swapping: Snapping Into Character
• Back Together: Reuniting the Cast
• Level Up: Making Jumanji: The Next Level
• Gag Reel
• Rhys Darby Wants to Jingle
• Select Scenes & Visual Effect Breakdowns
• Awkwafina Cat Burglar
• NPC Confessions: Jurgen the Brutal
• Grow Up
• Telenovela

Jumanji: The Next Level surpasses the previous film in a lot of ways, most importantly, making it so different from the first one that it feels fresh and new. With endless possibilities in store for the next, I can’t wait to see the direction this franchise takes.