When Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle arrived in 2017, it faced the daunting task of re-imagining a beloved 1995 film. The initial premise of a video game adaptation, a departure from the original's board game concept, seemed like a potential misstep. Furthermore, the casting of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, while popular, initially paled in comparison to the iconic comedic presence of Robin Williams, a central figure in the childhood of many.
However, the overwhelmingly positive reception to Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle prompted a viewing, which in turn revealed that the rebooted franchise is not only successful but arguably superior and funnier than the original, a sentiment that extends to its 2019 sequel, Jumanji: The Next Level.
The narrative of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle centers on four teenagers who discover an old video game console and the Jumanji game. Upon selecting their characters, they are transported into the game's virtual world, inhabiting bodies that are a stark contrast to their own personalities. Their quest to defeat the game becomes their only path back to their reality. In contrast, the 1995 film Jumanji followed two children in 1969 who found an ancient board game. Playing it leads to one child being trapped in the game for decades, with elements from the jungle manifesting in the real world until the game is completed. The adult Alan Parrish, played by Robin Williams, then returns to help the children finish the game and restore balance.
While the original film's premise of a mysterious board game holds a unique allure, the execution of the Jumanji reboot distinguishes it. The 1995 film, based on a 1981 children's book, possessed a more intriguing and magical setup. However, the modern adaptations are credited for a clever reinvention that avoids simply replicating the original's storyline. It is in the actual filmmaking and effects where the reboot truly excels, while the original exhibits notable shortcomings.
The most significant detractor in the 1995 Jumanji is its dated and distracting CGI. While a stampede sequence may have held up, other effects, such as a lion transitioning between animatronic and computer-generated forms, and particularly the monkeys, appear unconvincing. Despite the passage of time, the film could have potentially relied more on practical effects like animatronics and trained animals, which were common at the time. The computer graphics of the era were not advanced enough to fully realize the director's vision, whereas the reboot's effects, while not perfect, do not detract from the narrative.
Furthermore, the use of Robin Williams, despite his immense comedic and dramatic talent, felt underutilized in the original film. The movie lacked the specific blend of silliness and depth found in his other works like Mrs. Doubtfire or Aladdin, or the dramatic weight seen in Good Will Hunting or Good Morning, Vietnam. The character of Alan Parrish could arguably have been portrayed by any actor, diminishing the impact of Williams's unique abilities.
The Jumanji reboots, conversely, leverage their "Freaky Friday"-esque body-switching premise with considerable comedic success. Jumanji: The Next Level further expands on this by introducing two older characters, played by Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, who are thrust into the game, inhabiting the bodies of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart respectively. Both actors deliver memorable performances, imbuing their characters with the mannerisms of their older counterparts and fully capitalizing on the comedic potential, a feat the original film did not achieve with Williams.
While the original Jumanji, with its PG rating, was clearly aimed at a younger audience, the PG-13 reboots cater to a broader demographic. Both films may resonate with their respective target audiences, but for adult viewers unclouded by nostalgia or affection for Robin Williams, the Dwayne Johnson-led Jumanji films present a more entertaining and well-executed cinematic experience.