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'Jumanji: The Next Level' a laugh-machine sequel done right
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A still from 'Jumanji: The Next Level'. (Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc./File)
D
wayne Johnson and the gang return to the screen for another adventurous trip to the video game land of Jumanji, this time taking not one but two grandpas with them.
The story opens with Spencer (Alex Wolff), now in college and broken up with Martha (Morgan Turner). Juggling a college-life crisis and an awful job at a grocery store, he willingly reenters Jumanji after finding the game tossed at his basement.
Spencer does not show up for a brunch reunion the next day, prompting his friends and fellow Jumanji explorers, Anthony (Ser'Darius Blain), Bethany (Madison Iseman) and Martha to visit his house. Spencer’s cranky grandpa Eddie (Danny DeVito), who is having breakfast with his old business partner Milo (Danny Glover), opens the door and tells them that Spencer has been out since the early morning.
The gang hears beats of a tribal drum (Jumanji’s sound effect) and quickly finds the video game they destroyed in the previous film, partly damaged, yet running. Anthony, although hesitant at first, finally agrees to reenter the game with Bethany and Martha in order to save Spencer. But thanks to the broken video game, instead of taking Bethany, Jumanji takes Grandpa Eddie and Milo instead.
“Welcome to Jumanji! This next adventure is even more challenging”, Nigel (Rhys Darby), the nonplayer character, greets them.
“I have a more important question: Who is Jumanji?” asks one grandpa.
“Is that Barbara’s boy?” said the other grandpa.
Archaeologist Smolder Bravestone (Johnson) is now Grandpa Eddie’s avatar, while his friend, people person and slow talker Milo takes on Mouse Finbar (Kevin Hart), Bravestone’s weapon valet and zoologist.
With Bethany and Spencer missing, Martha’s avatar Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) and Anthony’s avatar cartographer and geometry expert Professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black) have to find Spencer and save Jumanji, all while dealing with two overly self-assured, old-age- denying grandpas who don’t get along.
Still embracing the fun, adventurous and comedic manner of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), this year’s Jumanji: The Next Level is even more action-packed and laughter-inducing, leaving you wanting more.
Read also: ‘Jumanji' sequel still a fun game to watch
Director Jake Kasdan’s second Jumanji film is backed by a well-written script, remarkable cast performances and fresh settings, such as the desert and snow-capped mountains.
Dwayne Johnson’s hilarious portrayal of Bravestone with Danny DeVito’s New Jersey accent is comical, while Jack Black can seemingly pull off anything, from teenage queen bee to an African-American jock. Fast-talking stand-up comedian Kevin Hart also seems comfortable playing a slow-talking, ‘wise’ old man trapped in a small body allergic to cake.
Joining the cast are Nick Jonas, Awkwafina, Colin Hanks and Bebe Neuwirth, who reprises her role as Nora Sheperd from the original 1995 film.
Jumanji: The Next Level is running in local theaters since Wednesday. (kes)
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The writer is an intern at The Jakarta Post.
