JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE (2017)

[indianasmith]

OK, this was a compromise movie that we saw today.  My wife and I were spending the day out with our 20 year old niece, and after laser tag, bowling, billiards, and dinner, we headed to the theater.  I REALLY wanted to see DARKEST HOUR, but it wasn't showing in Greenville or anywhere nearby.  I thought about seeing THE LAST JEDI again, but Lelia wasn't really interested in that one, and there was NO WAY I was going to let anyone, even my favorite niece, drag me into PITCH PERFECT 3 (seriously, a movie like that would require at least three or four Chuck Norris films afterward to restore my testosterone levels to anything approaching normal masculinity!).  So JUMANJI it was.

   I went in prepared to be underwhelmed.  I loved the original movie with Robin Williams, and frankly this one looked to be nothing but another boring retread.  I was wrong - it's every bit as brilliant, if not more so, than the original film!  Dwayne Johnson has just become a remarkable actor, one who jumps into every role he is given with "smoldering intensity."* (inside movie joke there, if you see the film you'll get it)  Jack Black was hilarious as Bethany, a teenage drama queen transplanted into the body of a middle-aged male professor.  Some of the funniest scenes in the whole movie deal with her discovering the wonders of owning a penis!  ("I cannot believe I am not Instagramming this!" she exclaims after taking a leak for the first time.)

   I don't want to give away too many spoilers, so let me leave it at this:  JUMANJI: WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE is a purely fun popcorn flick that is well worth the price of admission!  4.5/5

[Alex]

Been wanting to see this one but not with overly high hopes. Your review has increased my expectations though. :)

[316zombie]

mine too, loved the original.

[stine.greta]

I will be seeing this movie this weekend, I just really hope that it will be worth the catch since the trailer is undeniably promising.