Turns out, I truly am Jack Black in Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – the upcoming Jumanji sequel that, against all odds, looks to actually be good – because “I just can’t even with this place”.
Image: Columbia Pictures
First reactions are in for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and things are looking solid for the sequel to the beloved Robin Williams children’s film. The early reviews of the movie, about a group of teens who get transformed into video game characters, are calling it a bright spot of 2017 and one of the best video game films ever made (even though it isn’t based on an actual video game). A lot of love is especially being thrown Jack Black’s way for his portrayal of a vapid teenage girl.
Hey, about that new #Jumanji: It’s fun! It’s the kind of family-friendly outing that should help settle a lot of debates this holiday season. Jack Black is very, very funny, and I kinda love how they attempt to make it a true sequel to the original with some wonky engineering.
— Kate Erbland (@katerbland) November 27, 2017
The new #Jumanji is a ton of fun and succeeds by not trying to make a film even remotely similar to the original. It’s vindicated of comparisons, while also giving a nice nod or two to Robin Williams. #WelcomeToTheJunket pic.twitter.com/EsPGoTAM0Z
— Corey Chichizola (@corey081590) November 27, 2017
Was expecting the worst but have to admit the new #JUMANJI movie is a lot of fun. I’d even say it is one of the best “video game movies” ever made, maybe under only King of Kong, Scott Pilgrim, Edge of Tomorrow & Wreck It Ralph (none of which are adaptations).
— Peter Sciretta (@slashfilm) November 27, 2017
Saw #Jumanji! It’s light on nostalgia (besides a handful of Easter eggs), but a lot of fun. The body swap stuff is SO good. Could watch Jack Black play a teenage girl stuck in Jack Black’s body, or @TheRock newly discover his muscles, forever. #WelcomeToTheJungle pic.twitter.com/yRIoQsWASV
— Mike Rougeau (@RogueCheddar) November 27, 2017
got to see #Jumanji and it is fun as heck! @TheRock totally steals the show, but everyone gets a chance to shine.
— Zachary Ryan (@ZachariusD) November 27, 2017
There’s a lot of laughs and heart in #Jumanji. Cast has some pretty special chemistry and the game angle totally works. Props to @TheRock @KevinHart4real @karengillan and Jack Black for playing kids so well!
— Rob Keyes (@rob_keyes) November 27, 2017
Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised by Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. It’s fun and funny in equal measure, and makes smart use of its great stars. Not much of a universe-builder for a fantasy sequel, but definitely a reinvention that works. pic.twitter.com/2I0vPg4zt3
— Eric Eisenberg (@eeisenberg) November 27, 2017
JUMANJI: BIENVENIDOS A LA JUNGLA es un divertimento que no tiene ninguna pretensión más que entretener. Su cuarteto protagonista desprende carisma, pero tiene algunas cosas que no la hacen despegar. Aún así es un divertimento absoluto.
— Christian Leal (@ChristianLeal89) November 27, 2017
I’m… kind of perplexed, people. Honestly. Where did this come from? The idea of making a new Jumanji movie, more than 20 years after the first one, seemed like a bad bet from the very beginning. Then none of the trailers made Welcome to the Jungle look particularly good. Plus, the very idea of putting underage kids in the bodies of adults (including Karen Gillan’s scantily dressed Ruby Roundhouse) seemed uncomfortable at best, immensely disturbing at worst. I expected this thing to be stupid, cheesy and unpleasant.
But now? Jumanji 2 is apparently good, and my whole world has turned upside down. Feed me some deadly cake, I guess, because I just can’t even right now.