by Michelle Willson, Feature/Entertainment Editor
Normally having a sequel so close to the last release is normally a bad sign. In most cases the directors are just trying to stay relevant and you end up with a mediocre movie the is no where close to the movies the preceded it. This is the complete opposite for Jumanji: The next Level.
The first Jamanji is a classic. It came out in 1995 with actors like Robin Williams in it. When the second one came out in 2017 I did not expect it to stand a chance. My expectations were exceeded. Changing Jumanji from a board game to a video game was genius. The newest in the franchise premiered December 13 last year.
The main characters from the Second movie reprises their role in Jumanji: The Next Level. Dwayne Johnson as Spencer Gilpin / Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone, Kevin Hart as Anthony “Fridge” Johnson / Franklin “Mouse” Finbar, Jack Black as Bethany Walker / Professor Sheldon “Shelly” Oberon, Karen Gillan as Martha Kaply / Ruby Roundhouse, Nick Jonas as Alex Vreeke /Jefferson “Seaplane” McDonough.
Returning back to the real world after Jamnji: into the Jungle was hard for Spencer Gilpin (Alex Wolff). In the game he was strong, brave and almost invincible as Dr. Xander “Smolder” Bravestone when he returned back to reality he was just a scranny, nervous college kid. When he returned home for break he decided to go back into the game.
Spencers friends, Anthony “Fridge” Johnson (Ser’Darius Blain), Bethany Walker (Madison Iseman), Martha Kaply (Morgan Turner) got nervous when they didn’t hear from him and went to his house when they hear the ominous drum music of the Jumanji game. They know he will die if he tries to do it alone so they follow him to help.
Because the game is pretty busted up when they tried to join Spencer Britney doesn’t make it in and was stuck in the real world. Those who made it into the game realize things are very wrong. The Jumanji that their looks very different from last time. They go on trying to find Spencer as Britney in the real world goes to get help.
The movie sends you on a very different adventure with new twists and turns and surprises along the way. Quickly losing lives they have to find Spencer and beat the game before someone is lost in the game forever.
Keep your eye out though. There is a cameo of a character from the first Jumanji movie.
I give Jumanji: The Next Level a 4 out of 5. I feel like they could have given some of the characters a better character arch.