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Friday, December 7, 2018

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2018)

It’s hard to say whether “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” about a group of teenagers who turn into videogame characters, is a sequel to the 1995 movie that Robin Williams is in, or a remake, a reboot, or something else.  Whatever it is, it is a likable, funny diversion, and sometimes more than that.
What it does do is update to the 21st century, where there are way more hours spent playing video games than actual board games.
The protagonists here are Spencer, an earnest nerd; Spencer’s onetime best friend Fridge, a football star who ends up grounded after authorities realize Alex wrote a homework assignment for him; Bethany, a classic snotty Heather-type who’s addicted to her smartphone and takes selfies constantly; and the bookish, socially anxious Martha. They all have insecurities and issues. Once they end up inside the Jumanji video game, these same characters are played by adults, not always gender conforming to their original character.  The movie is kind of stuck in the 1990's in a lot of ways, and almost slapstick in its comedy, but surprisingly enjoyable.

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