Social media is a cornerstone of our culture nowadays. It has the power to connect us in ways that life normally may never get the chance to do. It can introduce us to new genres of film or television shows that we wouldn’t normally have access to. It allows us to discover new artists and bands that we may never have even thought to listen to. We live in a digital and streaming age. Though, while it largely can connect us. It can disconnect us just as easily. Cyberbullying has never been easy. For that matter, neither has cyber envy. I’m not even sure if that is the right name or term to call that. Basically, comparing yourself to others and feeling inadequate. It starts to stir up depression, resentment, isolation and even in some instances, addiction or suicide. It’s honestly a hard place to be. I went through a period of it myself. It’s a hard season to go through for anyone. I just want to take a step back from Jumanji and honestly just encourage you if you’re in that season right now. Life gets better and if you need resources for hope, click here.
Set a few years after the events of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, this is the exact place in which we find Spencer (Alex Wolff) as the group of friends has gone their separate ways to different colleges. The holiday season brings them back home, where they find themselves back into the world of Jumanji having to conquer the game once more in order to exit. Welcome to the Jungle cast in Dwanye Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillian & Nick Jonas return as the avatars of the game but there is a twist within The Next Level. It’s in that twist that some of the problems within the film lie. This round in Jumanji feels a bit disjointed from its previous two entries. While Welcome to the Jungle saw its core cast of Spencer (Wolff), Bethany (Madison Iseman), Martha (Morgan Turner) & Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) take on the avatars of Doctor Bravestone (Johnson), Professor Shelly Oberon (Black), Ruby Roundhouse (Gillian) & Mouse Finbar (Hart).
This round in Jumanji reinvents that aspect of the franchise. Instead of going back to their roots, the film rather chooses to switch up its core cast. Johnson and Hart are channeled by Jumanji newcomers – Eddie Gilpin (Danny DeVito) and Milo Walker (Danny Glover) who were former friends and business partners until a falling out created a fifteen-year void. Fridge has also channeled Black for this film, while Gillian remains the same. Changing the avatars behind the character, while it creates a fresh spin for the franchise, it feels forced. The actors have largely little to no chemistry with one another. The humor aspect of the film feels so contributed and overdone. Next Level feels as if it is overcompensating to impress its audience. The jokes fall flat, the chemistry feels rushed and the initiative nature of the franchise feels worn.
While the jokes don’t always land perfectly, the pacing of the film is clever. The flow is so well modeled after the video game genre it’s aiming to be. Introducing additional characters and twists after major moments allows the film to retain its fresh air. The action that is littered along the way is consistently entertaining. Jumanji has always had a heartbeat with its entries and the Next Level is no different. Though the journey to get there is sometimes is hard to survive, the emotional backbone of the film is worth it. The Next Level has a level of beauty and charm to it that is admirable and endearing. Creating for itself a unique identity as a film franchise that hinges on action, adventure, comedy and heart.
Overall, Jumanji: the Next Level, isn’t like its’ brothers and sisters. It aims to reinvent itself through the additions of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover and comes up massively short. The characters, within Jumanji, as Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart are flat, void of purpose and just somewhat irritating. Humor has always been a foundational aspect for the Jumanji franchise. However, Next Level doesn’t actually level up the comedy. If anything, it’s on life support. It does exist but its very much hit or miss. The chemistry between the actors is very hard at times. It’s not until a pivotal moment within the third act that the atmosphere starts to change the wind. The heart, the pacing, the action and adventure aspect are the most nature weapons in Mouse’s backpack. While tired and unresourceful in some portions of its jungle, Jumanji: the Next Level is still a fun and entertaining time.
RORSCHACH RATING
And more importantly, if you or someone you know is struggling with suicide, addiction, self-harm or depression - please free feel to reach out. Use any of our resources, call the suicide lifeline (1-800-273-8255) or text 741-741.