Jumanji

Starring: Robin Williams, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, David Alan Grier, Patricia Clarkson, Frank Welker (voice)
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Rating: PG
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
1995

Times Seen:
Tim: 3

Summary: Two kids (Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce) start playing Jumanji and release a mna (Robin Williams) trapped in the game for decades. They must team up to finish the game before it finishes them.

Review:

Tim: Jumanji is a very good mid-90s adventure story for younger viewers. It takes a brilliant concept- what if a board game actually brought real adventure- and tells an appealing, occasionally emotional story. For younger viewers, it's kind of a perfect set up. Many American board games are, well, boring. Imagine if a game brought real dangers, real adventure? It's a cool concept and one that has a certain amount of appeal to viewers early in their life. This is a fun, memorable movie.

The film does a good job of telling this story that involves different generations of people, but is all centered around the game of Jumanji. That's where the film really separates itself. We have four players from two different generations and their interconnected stories are surprisingly powerful. A movie about a board game that "comes to life" could have been average and simplistic. It's the focus on these four characters that brings some emotional depth to the film and helps set it apart from other movies. It helps that you have a strong cast involved. I really enjoyed the pairing of Robin Williams and Bonnie Hunt. They are the originators of this specific game of Jumanji and it was entertaining to see how this one game shaped (and ruined) their lives. It's an interesting look at how traumatic events can shape our lives, even decades later. Kirsten Dunset and Bradley Pierce have experienced their own trauma, but it's more recent, more fresh. They represent the promise at hope- that maybe they can salvage their lives despite the trauma they experienced. I loved the interlocking story between these two different yet similar groups of people. That really helps with the emotional, human side of the film.

Williams is definitely solid in this role. His face is front and center and he has a big part in the film, but it felt like he was more of a supporting character to me. I like how he was essential to the film, but it wasn't just about him. That balance worked. Bonnie Hunt gives a solid performance as well and works well opposite Williams. Dunst gives a precocious, solid performance for a young actress and Pierce is fine. David Alan Grier brought some levity and only a bit of overacting. Jonathan Hyde added good dual roles. The cast is solid, but it never feels like they monopolize the film. I liked the balance between each of them and the more visual effects heavy aspects of the film.

To be fair, that is one of the biggest attractions of the film. Every time someone rolls the dice, you have no idea what will be unleashed. The jungle theme was a good one, because there is no shortage of animals, plants, insects, and natural elements that can be thrown at the players. The visual were really quite solid. They feel real and offer immediate and urgent danger. I remember watching this movie as a 13 year-old kid and feeling like the danger was relentless- it was just one thing after another and all the craziness of the game kept piling up. It was a little overwhelming for my younger self to see such increasing destruction. The film certainly isn't afraid to throw a lot at the audience.

I do believe Joe Johnston deserves a great deal of credit for this film. The script was solid, he had a good cast, but this is a movie that could have gone sideways and seemed basic and forgettable. Johnston directs something that sticks in your mind- it's a memorable movie from start to finish. It doesn't feel like a watered down kiddie movie. Yes, the film is rated PG, but it earns that PG rating. I really appreciated the effort to make the danger feel authentic.

Jumanji is a movie that tells a great adventure story while touching on some mature emotional topics. It's a film that is hard to forget and has stood the test of time.

Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 7.5



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