Jumanji: The Next Level

For all intents and purposes, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a bonafide surprise hit of original IP. Sure, it was technically a sequel to a Robin Williams film from long ago, but it took such a new approach with an entirely new cast that it might as well be considered an "original" idea.

I remember being somewhat disappointed with it and it barely eeked out a "good" score in my review. It wasn't nearly as funny as I thought it would be and the sense of adventure and action was mediocre. I wouldn't say my expectations for it were sky-high, but I left a little let down - though entertained - regardless. 

Fast forward to 2 years and $1 billion in box office later and of course you've got a sequel. Upon its original announcement I wasn't all that excited because it seemed like it would just be a quick follow up to cash in on the success of the first. But then the first trailers came out and it was clear that the "gimmick" from the first film was still present, but there would be added value in this sequel to the tune of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover. 

Without building suspense too much, as a very "meh" participant in the first film, I had an absolute blast with Jumanji: The Next Level. Something that was missing from the first was present here and the film "clicked" for me the way I was hoping the original would have. 

The best parts about these Jumanji films are the innovative and fun premise of body swapping the characters within the videogame avatars. In the original I felt as if this was underutilized, relying almost solely on Jack Black for laughs (some great laughs at that!) but otherwise not doing much with the other kids. The Next Level doubles down on this and makes nearly every character a funny swap, leading to a lot more consistent laughs and a better rhythm of continuous humor. Don't worry, Jack Black still gets plenty to do here, but Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart also get to have a lot of fun. Karen Gillian gets some laughs herself but acts as the "lead" this time around, being the...ahem...rock for the group. It's no secret by now that Danny DeVito gets transported into Johnson's Bravestone character. That physical irony is hilarious alone, but it's clear The Rock is having a blast hamming it up as DeVito, over-accentuating his words and screaming "Haaaahhh?" with aplomb. It's Kevin Hart though that gets to have the most fun as Danny Glover, speaking slowly and using old sayings and phrasings with such conviction that you wonder if he ever broke character on set. There's a good 30-45 minutes of the film where nearly everything out of his mouth is laugh-out-loud funny and it's never a shtick that gets old. It's also warming to see that this cast, regardless of what character they're playing, clearly has a lot of chemistry, even more so this time around. It's no secret that Hart and Johnson are real life friends (and their press tours are becoming comedic gold) but the four together with Black and Gillian definitely resemble a mini family. 

Notice how "The Rock's Shoulders" get a credit label
in every post I have about him

Their good time is our good time

The adventure is a little more fun this time around too. The special effects are far better  (thanks to $1B+) and there are some genuinely exciting moments. I was having a blast with a particular hanging bridge scene (that's innovative in its own right) and a dance-fight near the end has far better choreography than anything we got in the first. Sure, it's no John Wick, but it's not incompetent either. Similarly, there's more character development for the actual people outside the videogame. The history between DeVito's Eddie and Glover's Milo is one that slowly unfolds and packs an emotional punch near the end while the kids - all good friends from their first adventure - have their own issues to work through. It's never too much where I was rolling my eyes, but it's appropriately inserted to make the film feel more special and create some emotional connection to these characters. 

Color me surprised that I actually liked The Last Level more than Welcome to the Jungle. It has a lot more fun with its premise, looks better, presents greater adventure, and even finds time to pack in some heart among it all. There's a half-credits scene where I'm not quite sure where they're trying to take it for an inevitable 3rd (technically 4th, I guess) film, but at least for now I had a rollicking time with this cast and wouldn't mind going back in for more. 

CONS

• Little too long, could have used trimming
• Less than previous film, but some special effects still look questionable
• Predictable

PROS

• This cast has a ton of fun portraying others. It's a fun design choice that still, even after two films, can create a lot of laughs
• Everyone gets more humor here (Jack Black is the only one with probably a net decrease in laughs) but Kevin Hart is the MVP. He had me rolling in a few segments
• Better action and adventure with good/great special effects and excitement
• Fun videogame references and jokes
• Some well-earned heartfelt moments near the end. Builds upon these characters more
• Highly entertaining, and funnier and more exciting than the first!

Rath's Review Score | 8/10