Jumanji: The Next Level (2019 Film) Review
After Spencer goes back into Jumanji, Martha, Anthony, and Bethany go in to save him. In the process, Spencer's grandfather and his grandfather's old friend are also sucked into the game. When they arrive, Spencer and Bethany are nowhere to be found, so the other four set out to find them and get out of the game once and for all.
Alex Wolff, Morgan Turner, Ser'Darius Blain, and Madison Iseman reprise their roles as teenagers Spencer Gilpin, Martha Kaply, Anthony "Fridge" Johnson, and Bethany Walker. Danny DeVito and Danny Glover join the cast as Eddie Gilpin and Milo Walker.
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, and Nick Jonas also return as the in-game avatars, with Awkwafina and Rory McCann playing the two new characters in the game. Awkwafina is Ming Fleetfoot, a new avatar who specializes in thievery, and McCann is Jurgen the Brutal, the new villain of Jumanji.
"Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" director Jake Kasdan returned to direct "The Next Level." Kasdan, Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg co-wrote the script, once again based on Chris Van Allsburg's "Jumanji." Kasdan also co-produced the film with Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia, Matt Tolmach, and William Teitler. Sony Pictures Releasing distributed "Jumanji: The Next Level."
Overall Thoughts
What made me nervous for "Jumanji: The Next Level" was whether a strong enough story could be formed to support another trip back into the game. As an audience, we understand that the Jumanji game is dangerous, but "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," the 2017 predecessor, benefitted from the characters being ignorant of that information. Now that they're aware of the game's many dangers, it begs the question as to why they would ever go back into Jumanji again. As it turns out, "The Next Level" finds a reason for a return and for the most part, it works.
From a character standpoint, the writers do conjure up a good reason for why the protagonists, mainly Spenser, would return to the game. Spencer's now a college student, but feels unsatisfied with his life at the moment. He recalls how much simpler, however dangerous, life was when he was Dr. Smolder Bravestone, punching guys through walls and having no weaknesses to speak of. As it's revealed, he kept the remains of the destroyed Jumanji game and repairs it, eventually getting sucked back in, but not as Bravestone, obviously. At first, "The Next Level" feels like a blatant cash grab. In the last film, because the filmmakers had no idea how successful "Welcome to the Jungle" would be, they ended it as if it was a one-off. In order for this sequel to be possible, however, they now have to negate the ending of the last film and bring the game back.
When we're thrust back into Jumanji, it's about as fun as last time. The only thing that's missing is the freshness of it all. There's a been there, done that feel to some of the returning jokes and situations. Not a lot has changed. Though the game may be busted, the adventure operates about the same as last time. There's another artifact to find and return, and the concept of the "broken" game isn't developed beyond the initial avatar confusion. I wish the game's fragmented condition could've added more stakes to the quest. Maybe it could've been slowly deleting while our characters are in it. Alas, such added urgency is not found here, but what is added gives "The Next Level" a reason to exist. For example, our heroes discover that they can swap each other's avatars mid-gameplay, an admittedly cool idea that also allows Jumanji to feel like a video game that could exist today.
It may seem like the film repeats a few of the character beats from the previous film, when in actuality, the sequel builds on them to grow the message of self-confidence. There's more to Spencer's reasoning that fits his personality and later finds applications to Martha, Anthony, and Bethany. It's good to see Wolff, Turner, Blain, and Iseman back again and they continue to share such good chemistry with one another. I almost wish that the film had spent more time in the real world with them together. ("Almost," because I suspect the mid-credits stinger may hint at yet another sequel with them being the focus.)
It may seem like the film repeats a few of the character beats from the previous film, when in actuality, the sequel builds on them to grow the message of self-confidence. There's more to Spencer's reasoning that fits his personality and later finds applications to Martha, Anthony, and Bethany. It's good to see Wolff, Turner, Blain, and Iseman back again and they continue to share such good chemistry with one another. I almost wish that the film had spent more time in the real world with them together. ("Almost," because I suspect the mid-credits stinger may hint at yet another sequel with them being the focus.)
Where the film concerns itself is with the heroes in Jumanji, in their avatar forms. The dynamic between the avatar actors is the most notable change from the last film. With Danny DeVito and Danny Glover's characters inside the Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart avatars, Johnson and Hart spend much of the second act channeling DeVito and Glover. Once again, Hart proves himself to be the comedic MVP, whereas Johnson gets a few laughs. As Anthony in the last film, Hart had a way of being funny that seemed so effortless, so with Jack Black now in the role for most of the film, he has a difficult time replicating that. Though Black preforms well, seeing that personality from him doesn't feel the same, which could've been intentional as all of them are in the "wrong" bodies. All, except one, that is. Karen Gillian has an advantage over the other four returning avatar actors. Since her character is the only one to return as their original avatar at the start, she has no trouble recapturing Martha's personality. More so than last time, Gillan is the stand out of this film. Having shed her character's shyness, she is more assertive of the situation and has a leadership role, at least before everyone inevitably comes together. I liked seeing the actress have more to do in the role.
Awkwafina fits right in with the rest of the group and her contributions to the film make a difference, but Rory McCann does not. I'm not saying that Bobby Cannavale's Van Pelt from the last film was especially deep or complex, but he was an entertaining and creepy bad guy. McCann's Jurgen the Brutal is a bore. In many ways, he's a non-threat to our main heroes. He's void of any personality, doesn't get much screen time, and his connection to one of the game's avatars has no affect on the story, which leads one to question why it was ever introduced in the first place.
Because of its familiarity, "Jumanji: The Next Level" can sometimes feels like a retread of the last one. Compared to "Welcome to the Jungle," it is an inferior follow-up, but the film still provides a good time. It has some new and inventive gaming elements, the set design is still impressive, the cast and characters are delightful as always, and the jokes are, of course, comical. Though not a must-see, this film is still worthy of your time.
Because of its familiarity, "Jumanji: The Next Level" can sometimes feels like a retread of the last one. Compared to "Welcome to the Jungle," it is an inferior follow-up, but the film still provides a good time. It has some new and inventive gaming elements, the set design is still impressive, the cast and characters are delightful as always, and the jokes are, of course, comical. Though not a must-see, this film is still worthy of your time.
Rating: ★★★
Conclusion
This has been my review of “Jumanji: The Next Level." I hope you enjoyed it. Have you seen the film? If you have, share your thoughts in the comments below. Should you feel inclined, recommend a film for me to review next. Thank you for reading, I'm Dallin, your resident film fanatic, and I'll return soon with another review.
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