Jumanji: The Next Level: Film Review

Jumanji: The Next Level: Film Review

Cast: Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Danny Glover, Danny DeVito, Awkwafina, Rhys Darby, Rory McCann
Director: Jake Kasdan

Jumanji: The Next Level is like any video game sequel.

It retains the core elements of what made the original popular, but tries to add in new elements to continue the franchise. In the second sequel to hit the Jumanji franchise, the gang returns to the game to rescue Spencer (Alex Wolff) who's been drifting and feeling lost since the first game concluded.

But this time around, Jumanji faces a new threat in the form of Rory McCann's warlord Jurgen the brutal - and it's up to Dr Bravestone and the group to save the day.

Essentially redoing the first film in many ways (even overtly in the movie's final third), Jumanji: The Next Level takes what works the first time around and retools it (only slightly though) for the sequel. Yet at times, the film feels like it's coasting by and repeating itself, only really allowing The Rock and Kevin Hart the chance to switch it up a little.

In fairness, the relationship between the two of them and the bickering banter works well as they put Danny Glover and Danny DeVito's warring oldies into the game, and giving Karen Gillan the chance to take the lead.

A couple of set-pieces impress with ostriches and mandrills, but in truth, the second is a repeat of the first, no matter how well Kasdan orchestrates them. The game may dwell on its body swap mentality, but the film this time around mixes up the avatars and brings in Glover, DeVito and Awkwafina's characters to relative comic aplomb.

However, the film's disjointed game level style plot tries awkwardly to inject a need for Hart and Johnson's characters to bicker and then try and make up, as the surprise of how and why the avatars work is out of the bag.

Ultimately, Jumanji: The Next Level is fun enough family fare, it offers enough reason to exist for the broad market it's trying to hit - it may not level up enough and will need to shake things up for the teased sequel.