Jumanji: The Next Level (2019)
Stars: Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan, Jack Black, Kevin Hart
Runtime: 123 minutes
Synopsis: In Jumanji: The Next Level, the gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world's most dangerous game.
Performances: 6/10
Screenplay: 4/10
Special Effects: 3/10
Costumes/Makeup: 5/10
Editing: 6/10
Cinematography: 5/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10
Entertainment Factor: 6/10
Verdict: Entertaining and funny at times, but ultimately a lesser replica of its predecessor. That's how I'd describe the sequel to 2017's reboot (yes, it's a reboot) of Jumanji.
I wouldn't really go as far as calling it bad. In fact, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy myself at times during the movie, but this is most definitely my least favorite entry in the Jumanji franchise. There was no real twist on the story, and therefore the element of surprise wasn't present this time to counter the generic narrative. The same kids get stuck in the same game in the bodies of the same avatars and have to face similar obstacles to get out of it. The jokes are overall pretty much exactly what you expect and some were funny, but others went on for too long or were too predictable to generate a laugh. The action set-pieces were pretty dull when they didn't feature Karen Gillan's fight choreography and the CGI was (at times laughably) unconvincing. The only changes made by the movie were the addition of a few characters, who I honestly got bored of early in the movie, and a few expected switch arounds as to which character embodied which avatar, but the pairings of the first movie made more sense and worked much better in my opinion.
Overall, if you've seen "Welcome to the Jungle", you've also seen "The Next Level". I can't deny that the film had a few entertaining moments, but overall it comes off as an unnecessary sequel that just exists because the first one was a hit.
I wouldn't really go as far as calling it bad. In fact, I'd be lying if I said that I didn't enjoy myself at times during the movie, but this is most definitely my least favorite entry in the Jumanji franchise. There was no real twist on the story, and therefore the element of surprise wasn't present this time to counter the generic narrative. The same kids get stuck in the same game in the bodies of the same avatars and have to face similar obstacles to get out of it. The jokes are overall pretty much exactly what you expect and some were funny, but others went on for too long or were too predictable to generate a laugh. The action set-pieces were pretty dull when they didn't feature Karen Gillan's fight choreography and the CGI was (at times laughably) unconvincing. The only changes made by the movie were the addition of a few characters, who I honestly got bored of early in the movie, and a few expected switch arounds as to which character embodied which avatar, but the pairings of the first movie made more sense and worked much better in my opinion.
Overall, if you've seen "Welcome to the Jungle", you've also seen "The Next Level". I can't deny that the film had a few entertaining moments, but overall it comes off as an unnecessary sequel that just exists because the first one was a hit.
FINAL GRADE: 5/10
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