The last post was Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, so naturally, the next film in the franchise would be the next review! This post will contain spoilers.
Jumanji: The Next Level
Summary
This film takes place 3 years after the first, the main 4 characters are now in college but coming home for winter break. Everyone seems to be doing well except Spencer (Alex Wolff). He decides that he wants to be Dr. Bravestone again (The Rock), so he tries to fix Jumanji, the game he previously destroyed with his friends. When Spencer doesn't turn up to brunch the others Fridge (Ser'Darius Blain), Martha (Morgan Turner), and Bethany (Madison Iseman) go to his house and discover the semi-fixed game in the basement. They attempt to go back into the game but since it is not entirely fixed, Bethany is left out of the game and Spencer's Grandpa Eddie (Danny DeVito) and his friend turned enemy Milo Walker (Danny Glover) are transported into the game instead.
When in the game they find that it is a new challenge, they will not have to do the same adventure as they had planned. They also did not get to pick their avatars, so they are all mixed up. They start out on a quest to find Spencer while Bethany goes to Alex (Colin Hanks) and asks for his help to fix the game. Together they all have to finish another game of Jumanji to return back to the real world.
One Sentence Review
Rating: 10/10
Somehow this film is better than the first comedy-wise but worse plot-wise, but it balances out
The Tiny Details
This film is much more comical to me than the first one, The Rock and Kevin Hart doing impressions of the elderly and The Rock specifically trying to encapsulate Danny DeVito was just something that I didn't know I needed. The thing that is amazing in itself is that in this the actors who play the game avatars switch characters. So, at some points Jack Black plays Fridge then Martha and then Bethany and he does so great with all of them. All of the actors do really well at keeping the character's personality consistent despite not plaything the characters the entire time.
The plot for this film was more complex and it wasn't my favorite but you're too busy laughing to really pay too much attention to the plot so, what does it really matter? Like the first one, this is a film you watch to have fun it's not particuarly groundbreaking but it is a great time whether you're watching it alone or with other people.
Favorite Characters
So for the first film I combined the teenagers with their avatars and I'm going to do the same for this one but it does mean that they're played by different actors in the film than the first time. Which is a little trippy but also just really cool.
5) Grandpa Eddie
The Rock trying to do an impression of Danny DeVito was the thing in the trailer that made me so excited for the film when it first came out and it did not dissapoint.
4) Milo Walker
Him talking slowly was such a highlight for me because it really added to the comedy of every scene.
3) Fridge
He's here for the same reasons as last time, just has great lines and timing through the whole film.
2) Bethany
I'm still loving her character development in this one where she started off travelling the world and building houses, she also just so obviously cares about all of her friends and I love that for her considering where she started.
1) Martha
She was the rock (in a figurative sense, not the actor) of this film, she was really the only person who played the character she did in the first film, and she kept the film moving because of that. I also really enjoyed her commentary through the film compared to the first one where she was more quiet.
Best Quotes
5) "I gotta stop hanging out with white people, I don't know what the hells wrong with me" - Fridge
4) "Did I die and turn into a small muscular boy scout" - Finbar (Milo)
3) "May I offer you a piece of cake?" "NO NO NOOOOO" - Finbar (Fridge)
2) "Did I just kill Eddie by talkin' to slow....like he always said I would" - Finbar (Milo)
1) "Why did we take a plane if there's nowhere to land" - Roundhouse (Martha)
An Inspired Playlist
A lot of the same songs were used in this film which in a way I really appreciate because it feels like a callback, especially Welcome to the Jungle and Baby, I Love Your Way. Here are some other songs that fit the vibe:
Kickstart My Heart - Mötley Crüe: I was just listening to this song and thought, "yeah this needs to be in a Jumanji movie".
Be Aggressive - The Hit Crew: Not really a song BUT Bethany does start singing it so I included it
Don't You (Forget About Me): In the beginning, the main four just give such like post-detention/high school Breakfast Club and I love that for them.
Spotify Playlist Here: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2KqAyO4CNbzhuT03mWYN7t?si=4b7b1f443cca47bf
Thank you for reading! I would absolutely love to hear your opinions, ratings, top characters, and ratings!
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