Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)

Director: Jake Kasdan

Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gilian, Danny De Vito, Danny Glover, Jack Black

Primary genre: Fantasy

Secondary genre: Adventure Comedy

No matter how you look at it , “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (2017) was a rather pleasant (and goofy) cinematic experience that grossed almost a billion dollars worldwide. The cast had a rock solid chemistry with (some) surprisingly hilarious moments making the possibility of a sequel 100% certain.

“Jumanji: The Next Level” is more of the same although the premise of going back is not as strong. There is some lightweight commentary about the effects of social media on young people, but this is just really the excuse to make Spencer to revisit the world of Jumanji prompting his friends to come to the rescue. Yet this action contradicts the ending of the previous film feeling like a cheap ploy to kickstart the film. Unfortunately, it also undermines any character development that came before rending Spencer as unlikeable and unreliable. The first half is quite sluggish too with the script attempting to inform us on fragmented business friendships, amended relationships and life goals but these are never fully explored which makes one wonder why bother introduce them in the first place?

While the film has a sentiment of “been there, saw that” recycling virtually the same plot, its biggest strength lies in the creation of various extraordinary circumstances where the cast can flex their natural comedic charisma and chemistry including a personality swap here and there. “The Next Level” scores high in comedy with Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart being on fine form imitating the best they can De Vito’s and Glover’s acting (also excellent). There is more screentime for Jack Black (who is now not the selfie-obsessed girl in a nice twist) and Karen Gillan, both having the time of their lives. The rest of the cast are ok with Awkwafina being Awkwafina while Rory McCann is virtually useless (in a similar fashion to the previous film) but I guess the focus here is for him to serve as the final obstacle in true videogame fashion.

Action wise, Kasdan uses a variety of set pieces, including ostriches, monkeys and Zeppelins, yet there is a lackluster feeling when these are deployed. Despite an interesting escape route on suspended rope bridges, the rest are fairly standard action fodder that will not win any action aficionados, certainly not with unconvincing and unpolished CGI. However, the nasty yet hilarious videogame deaths that do occur are Looney Tunes inspired guaranteeing to put a smile on your face and unleash your inner 12 year old self.

“Jumanji: The Next Level” employs exactly the same formula the previous film did. Those who had a good time before, will have a blast. Its strength relies on the wacky cast and their chemistry but the lack of surprises really pushes it in the realm of “so what?” films and makes you wonder that if the third film follows the same route, being tired will not be a feeling, but an experience.

Formulaic but fun

+Cast

+And their chemistry

+Rope bridge escape is inspiring

+Hilarious (bloodless) deaths

-Unconvincing CGI

-Overstuffed

-Sluggish first half

-villain is non existent

-Recycled plot