Nearly 30 years ago, I had my first visit to the USA. My family and I traveled to Florida and visited Disney World. It was a memorable trip. Two decades later, I returned to Disney World in Florida with a friend, and we experienced the familiar Jungle Cruise ride. The Pirates of the Caribbean franchise also originated as a Disneyland (California) ride, incorporating elements reminiscent of Monkey Island. Following the film adaptations’ significant success and numerous sequels, Disney has attempted to replicate this formula. However, subsequent adaptations like Haunted Mansion with Eddie Murphy and Tomorrowland with George Clooney were quickly forgotten, and a Country Bears movie even slipped under the radar. Therefore, the initial announcement of a Jungle Cruise film adaptation generated only mild interest.
Lily (Emily Blunt) and her brother Macgregor (Jack Whitehall) are in pursuit of a mythical tree, rumored to possess petals capable of healing any ailment. The tree is said to be concealed along a river within the dense jungle. Numerous expeditions have attempted to locate it, all without success. Lily possesses a map and recently obtained a spearhead, providing new insights into its potential location. Facing a perilous river journey, they enlist the services of riverboat captain Frank (Dwayne Johnsson), who, after some convincing, agrees to guide them in their search. However, they are not alone in their quest. The ruthless Joachim (Jesse Plemons) is also determined to find the tree first, regardless of the cost. Thus begins a thrilling and treacherous journey downriver, fraught with unexpected challenges.
The initial trailer piqued my interest, prompting me to see the film in theaters. This proved to be a worthwhile decision, as Jungle Cruise delivers an enjoyable experience. It draws inspiration from other films, even borrowing specific scenes—for instance, Lily’s struggle with a ladder mirrors a similar sequence from the 90s film, The Mummy. While the narrative may be somewhat simple, the film maintains a brisk pace, incorporating humor and engaging action sequences to prevent stagnation.
Viewers familiar with the amusement park attraction Jungle Cruise will recognize several elements. These range from familiar signage and events encountered during the ride, to the puns and quips delivered by the skippers, which are cleverly integrated into the film. It serves as a fun homage, skillfully implemented by the filmmakers to provide context, even for those unfamiliar with the ride.
Notably, the characters are portrayed as competent, irrespective of gender or orientation, avoiding the pitfalls of a purely comedic character such as Jar Jar Binks, whose behavior remains static and underdeveloped. Lily is portrayed as strong-willed from the outset, yet develops a more compassionate side throughout the film. MacGregor, initially presented as an awkward character, demonstrates courage as the story progresses.
However, Jungle Cruise has shortcomings. One notable issue is the over-reliance on CGI. While visually appealing, the extensive use of computer-generated imagery creates a sense of artificiality. The undead villains are well-designed, but their impact is lessened by the fact that the special effects remove some of the potential for visceral fear that could have been achieved with practical effects and makeup. Additionally, for a film exceeding two hours, the ending felt somewhat rushed and anticlimactic.
In conclusion, Jungle Cruise is a worthwhile recommendation as an entertaining matinee adventure best experienced on the big screen with immersive sound. The film is rated for ages eleven and up, and suitable for children seven and older accompanied by an adult. However, it is important to note that Jungle Cruise contains some potentially frightening scenes involving snakes and monsters, and may not be suitable for very young children.
