Jumanji (1995)
1995
PG
104 Minutes
When siblings Judy and Peter discover an enchanted board game that opens the door to a magical world, they unwittingly invite Alan -- an adult who's been trapped inside the game for 26 years -- int...
User Review
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Jumanji may have a cult following, but that does not necessarily mean the film is great. Heck, "classics" like 'The Room' and 'Jack and Jill' have garnered a cult status...yet we all know they are abysmal. Fortunately Jumanji isn't that bad however, there are various stumbles that prevent it from being classed as great. Two young kids come across an ancient and mysterious board game known as Jumanji, where every move they make will affect reality. They must withstand and survive the onslaught of jungle madness and complete the game. If you were a 90s kid (like myself) you would've watched this over and over and over again. "Wow! Look mum, check out the graphics on those monkeys!". "I'm scared of both exotic plants and giant spiders!". "When I grow up, I want to be just like Adam and get stuck in a board game!". The point is, it's a story that evokes imagination and creativity. The fantastical chaos that ensues is one that younger audiences can truly appreciate and become enthralled in. Robin Williams owned the 90s in terms of family flicks and he does so again here. Comedic and yet somewhat emotionally involving. A young Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce gave fun performances, and that's exactly what this film is...fun! I mean what other film would you expect to see giant plants, a lion, monkeys and even a monsoon in your own house? Exactly. For older audiences and viewers who are revisiting the epitome of the 90s, you may view this differently. The narrative and plot are flimsy where character development is minimal and the budget was spent showcasing the visual effects which are now horrendously outdated (seriously, did not age well...). The plot just felt generic somehow, given the peculiar and original concept found within its source material. By the end, you have no emotional connection with any of the characters. Like I said, they are just a means to demonstrate the effects and creativity of the crazy wildlife. A perfectly good family film that really does not amount to anything. I suspect nostalgia plays a vital part in the overwhelming positive opinions.0 member like this review.
