MOVIE: Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle 

EVEN though Robin Williams was a comic genius and a super actor, ‘Jumanji’ wasn’t one of his better films. So why, you may rightly ask, would anyone bother taking this mediocre offering and make it again?

Well, for a start, the original ‘Jumanji’ movie was a box office hit which certainly doesn’t hurt. Secondly, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ isn’t really a remake, it’s more of a sequel, and finally, the new writers have come up with a fresh and original take on the story which really does sound clever and interesting.  

While the original narrative featured a board game coming to life, this new imagining updates to a video console which sucks players inside to assume the identity of its characters. 

And if that doesn’t grab you as a smart idea, how about if the four high school kids who are magically drawn into the jungle change age, size and even gender.

The first part of the movie is a little flat as we set up the youngsters, who, in fairness, we don’t see again until the very end. 

The fun really kicks off in the game’s jungle setting, when the four teens transform into new characters played by The Rock, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black. 

The team soon find out they must work together and find a way through the various levels to victory and presumably a way home, fighting all manner of dangerous animals and baddies along the way. 

The Rock and Kevin Hart reignite their on screen partnership after the success of last year’s ‘Central Intelligence’, and they bounce off each other again here with considerable comedic effect. 

Gillan is super as timid Martha who transforms into a badass warrior, but it’s Jack Black who steals the show with a sometimes hilarious turn as a precious teen princess trapped in the body of an overweight middle aged man. 

The film arrives at just the right time for the holidays and will provide young and old with original entertainment and more than a few belly laughs. We score it a fun, 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Paul O’Rourke