Jumanji the Next Level: Bringing the Game to New Levels

When a sequel was announced to the original Jumanji, many fans were concerned and worried because how can Hollywood make anything close to the quality of the original? How can top Robin Williams? Well the answer is, you can't and shouldn't. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, was it's own movie while still being a sequel but not relying on references to the first one. It was a good movie about being in a video game. So when they announced s sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level, I was curious what more could they do with this story? The answer is something very clever.

This third Jumanji installment takes the video game plot further by turning it sideways. Spencer played by Alex Wolff is stuck back in Jumanji, so it's up to the rest of the group to get him out. But the game is malfunctioning and sucks Spencers grandpa Eddie played by Danny Devito and his friend Milo played by Danny Glover along with them. They think they know Jumanji but everything has changed.

One major selling point of this movie in all the trailers was Danny Devito and Danny Glover becoming Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Harts video game characters. Dwayne Johnson really took the time and effort to study Danny Devito's mannerisms and voice. He does an amazing and impressive job impersonating Devito. It's the best part of the movie in my opinion. Kevin Hart does a good job impersonating Glover as well and really personifies the character set up. This movie really puts the acting and performances ahead of the action scenes. There is plenty of action but it doesn’t feel over saturated. Jack Black is playing an African American character and the mannerisms are ok but stereotypical as he was with the teenage girl character. But they are very funny. Another result of the character switch is that Jack Black and Karen Gillan’s characters have to take charge because the other two are old men.

A lot of the jokes for Dwayne and Kevin’s characters are that they are old, confused, and don’t know what video games are and it’s hilarious. Awkwafina is a new game character and she is hilarious as always. The game has a river where if you jump in you switch characters, so it gave Karen Gillan and Jack Black a chance to switch roles.

Besides the performances, the plot of the movie is pretty interesting. Spencer doesn’t feel like match of a person unless he is in Jumanji because he was a big strong brave person unlike in real life. It was an escape which is something a lot of people deal with. Just like the previous Jumanji, this one was a surprise and had a good story and themes. It’s definitely a must see. 🍔🍔🍔🍔