Though I'll always prefer Zathura for its stronger thematic underpinnings, the original magical board game movie (and book) Jumanji is still a pretty fun adventure. Sure, some of the CG creatures have aged badly (the monkeys especially), but because it's all a "game" anyway, they can look like cartoon artifacts, it doesn't really matter. The kids (including a young Kirsten Dunst) are good, Robin Williams is contained, and the comedy comes from surprising places (the first line of the film is plain dark comedy, and the almost immortal cop car is great fun). I'm not that keen on the way Bonnie Hunt's character is written, just a little too entitled considering the circumstances, but the film has a surprise ending I didn't see coming. The story IS rather built on metaphorical quicksand, however, perhaps because it deals with two separate groups of kids. It gets good when the game's effects mirror reality (the kid who rejects his family is exiled to the jungle, for example, and the bickering causes a stampede of the animals they use as play pieces), but then there's another creature or disaster to deal with and it feels a little like the movie is on shuffle.
It works well for a kids movie, but as we grow up I think most of us find ourselves latching onto the nostalgia. Especially to cover up the fact that it doesn't entertain quite as much when you're older.
Alan has surprisingly well-developed social skills for someone who was stranded in the wilderness for 30 years. Eye contact, affectionate touching, and witty banter. Wow.
Is that a weird thing to find unrealistic about a movie about a magic gameboard?
Add your comment
Comments 1 - 14 of 14
Armoreska
Sad to find out that it was much worse received than the bland new one.Siskoid
Though I'll always prefer Zathura for its stronger thematic underpinnings, the original magical board game movie (and book) Jumanji is still a pretty fun adventure. Sure, some of the CG creatures have aged badly (the monkeys especially), but because it's all a "game" anyway, they can look like cartoon artifacts, it doesn't really matter. The kids (including a young Kirsten Dunst) are good, Robin Williams is contained, and the comedy comes from surprising places (the first line of the film is plain dark comedy, and the almost immortal cop car is great fun). I'm not that keen on the way Bonnie Hunt's character is written, just a little too entitled considering the circumstances, but the film has a surprise ending I didn't see coming. The story IS rather built on metaphorical quicksand, however, perhaps because it deals with two separate groups of kids. It gets good when the game's effects mirror reality (the kid who rejects his family is exiled to the jungle, for example, and the bickering causes a stampede of the animals they use as play pieces), but then there's another creature or disaster to deal with and it feels a little like the movie is on shuffle.DisneyStitch
It works well for a kids movie, but as we grow up I think most of us find ourselves latching onto the nostalgia. Especially to cover up the fact that it doesn't entertain quite as much when you're older.filmyjo
Kirsten Dunst :-)MovieFan84
One of my favourite childhood moviesIreneAdler
A really sweet children's movie that's also quite entertaining for some grown-ups like me :)themini
One of my favourite movies as a kid. Now, not so much...Houston
Boardgames have never been scarier (If you're a kid).greenhorg
Alan has surprisingly well-developed social skills for someone who was stranded in the wilderness for 30 years. Eye contact, affectionate touching, and witty banter. Wow.Is that a weird thing to find unrealistic about a movie about a magic gameboard?
JCS
So scared of this as a kid!Videl
Really, really liked it..As a kid.. ;)
Dieguito
Besides it's made for kids, it's a very interesting moviemissdaisy14
This movie's awesome!akuma587
Too bad the board game you could buy at the store was totally lame.