The prevalence of sequels in Hollywood is well-established. Contemporary cinema is largely comprised of sequels, remakes, and reboots, with quality ranging from critical failures, such as Terminator: Dark Fate, to acclaimed works like Doctor Sleep. The original Jumanji, starring Robin Williams (1951-2014), premiered in 1995. Despite its success, a sequel did not appear until 2017, 22 years later. The prospect of Dwayne Johnson taking over from Williams seemed questionable. However, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle proved surprisingly entertaining, possessing its own merits even if it wasn’t universally lauded. Its commercial triumph led to the rapid development of a sequel, released just two years later, titled: Jumanji: The Next Level.
Spencer (Alex Wolff) struggles with reintegration into reality after his experiences in Jumanji. He returns home for Christmas and shares a room with his grandfather, Eddie (Danny DeVito). When Spencer fails to appear at a planned reunion with his friends, they discover he has re-entered the Jumanji game. To rescue him, they must venture back into Jumanji’s jungles. However, the game has evolved, taking them to the next level.
Jumanji: The Next Level distinguishes itself from its predecessor early on by incorporating a more significant human element. The performances of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, portraying estranged old friends, provide a strong narrative backbone, while the relationships between the younger characters feel more nuanced and believable. A noteworthy aspect is the re-assignment of avatars, with Dwayne Johnson now embodying Danny DeVito’s Eddie. This player-switching mechanic, where actors portray different characters within the game, is a novel approach. The success lies in the ability of Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan to convincingly convey their “players” through their performances. Relationship dynamics established in the real world are carried over into the game, adding depth and complexity to the narrative.
As with Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Jumanji: The Next Level lacks a certain degree of tension. The mechanic of each avatar having three lives diminishes the stakes, as lives are often expended to create artificial excitement towards the film’s climax. While executed more effectively than in the previous installment, the original Jumanji still handled this aspect more successfully. Furthermore, the film’s reliance on extensive CGI detracts from the viewing experience. A particular sequence involving ostriches and sand buggies suffers from an overabundance of subpar computer-generated effects.
The Blu-ray edition offers the expected level of visual fidelity, while the DTS-HD sound is adequate but lacks significant impact. An Ultra HD 4K edition of Jumanji: The Next Level was unavailable for review. Consequently, the rating is slightly affected due to the inability to assess the film in its optimal format. The inclusion of substantial bonus material is commendable, providing insights beyond mere promotional content. The production appears to have been an enjoyable experience for all involved.
In conclusion, the third film represents a notable improvement over its immediate predecessor. Viewers who remain through the end credits will be presented with a teaser for a potential fourth installment, which promises to be compelling by reintroducing an element from the original film absent in the sequels. Therefore, Jumanji: The Next Level is recommended, and anticipation for the fourth film is high.
