Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Review

This reboot-sequel-remake of the beloved Robin Williams classic Jumanji is far better than it should have turned out. It's zippy pace, cartoony visuals and often hilarious interplay between the leads make this a far more fun adventure than the dull exposition of the latest Star Wars picture.

The narrative structure plays out just like it did in the original, only the board game turns into a video game and four teenagers get sucked into the game world, instead of the other way around. It's a wise move, keeping things from feeling like a retread, with more advanced CGI alligators (or were they crocodiles? That zoologist of theirs certainly slacked when it came to introducing all the wildlife). This gives the movie a sort of low-rent Indiana Jones feel, with exotic locations, weapons, and humorous fight scenes. I paid less than ten dollars for my ticket, and I walked out Tuesday night satisfied.

Much of the film's humor comes from the set up- the four teenagers get transformed into famous faces sure, but isn't it funny that the popular girl turns into a paunchy Jack Black? Well, as it turns out, it is quite funny. I laughed a lot at these scenes, particularly as he (she?) gawked at the other male actors or fumbled with her first urination session.

Yeah, there is a whole scene dedicated to men peeing, but it's well written and even better acted. And it's scenes like this that are refreshingly less sterile than your typical Disney-designed adventure, with plenty of swearing, sexual innuendos and violence (albeit goofy). It's an old school kind of feeling, proving political correctness isn't always the most entertaining route to film.

That isn't to say everything is perfect: the villain is a nameless badguy played by someone I can't remember (oh right, thanks Google, his name is Van Pelt and is played by Bobby Cannavale), and the teenagers, when played by teenaged actors (or at least teenage looking actors) are as dull as dishwasher. They fit their generic role, sure, but I could play the awkward prepubescent girl better than Madison Iseman did. What this kills is the feeling of growth once they escape the video game (what, you call that a spoiler? Did you really think they'd be stuck in their until the inevitable sequel?); The kids come out of the jungle and are suddenly friends, but they have no chemistry. Where's the Breakfast Club when you need them?

All in all, “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is a fun diversion over your holiday break. I laughed, it has a good heart, and it is a rare remake-sequel-reboot that doesn't go through the same exact motions of the original. Just don't expect those motions to be all that original.