Jumanji: The Next Level - Lame Third Installment Can’t Outpace its Superior Predecessors
By Thom Ernst
Rating: C+
Jumanji: The Next Level is a diverting disappointment that does something I don’t think I’ve seen a film do before: It’s an unnecessary two-hour film that struggles for the first 90 minutes, only to find itself in the last 30. But I suppose that’s what we should expect from a film where unexpected inversion is its strongest ploy.
Jumanji: The Next Level is burdened with the chore of having to do one better than its predecessor. That’s not as easy of a task as it might sound. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle—a rather distant sequel to Jumanji (1995) starring the late Robin Williams (and if you believe Zathura: A Space Adventure from 2005 to be the first Jumanji sequel, then the distance is even further)—was a surprise hit in 2018.
It’s unpredictable twists of broad physical comedy and gender-switching politics worked well within the limited context of teenagers trapped inside the avatars of an old video game. Arguably, a big part of the film’s charm is in watching likable actors (Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan) playing against type; Johnson as an anxiety-ridden asthmatic, Black as a self-centered teenage girl, Hart as a bullish athlete, and Gillan as a self-conscious grunge kid.
Sure, it was one joke played out over an entire film, but it worked. But is it too much to hope that the same joke, even with some variations, can stretch through another film?
It is.
Jumanji: The Next Level regroups not just the same fantasy world characters, as continuity would require if the premise is the same game, but the same teens. That feels like somewhat of a misstep given that there was not much investment in the storyline of the real-world characters, and the amount of time spent on reconnecting with them seems like an over-drawn prelude to the action and story we came for.
The film picks up within the real-world characters, Spencer, Bethany, Martha and Fridge who, after their Jumanji adventure, have scattered and become immersed in their new lives. But it’s Christmas (how timely) so they arrange to reunite at a diner over the holidays. Everyone shows up except Spencer (Alex Wolf) who, overwhelmed by insecurities, has gone back into the game, hoping to regain the feeling of strength and confidence he experienced when in the role of Dr. Smolder Bravestone.
Discovering what Spencer has done forces the others, particularly Martha who ended the previous film in a romantic relationship with Spenser, to return to Jumanji. But this time they do not get to pick their avatar. And things are further complicated by inadvertently sucking in Edie (Danny DeVito) Spenser’s cantankerous grandfather and Otis (Danny Glover) Edie’s overly laid-back ex-business partner.
The idea of plunking two old, grousing men in fresher bodies seems like the right next step as a follow-up on this story of body-transference. Problem is, without giving away any spoilers, not all the actors have the kind of range it takes to convincingly portray an interior personality that contradicts the exterior form. Only one character, played by Awkwafina, truly nails her impersonations—to say who and how would be to spoil one of the films few surprises. I will say that the arrival of Awkwafina’s character injects this game with much need of new life.
Jake Kazdan returns as director. Scott Rosenberg and Jeff Pinker, who rewrote Welcome to the Jungle from an original script by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, are the sole writers (with Kasdan) on The Next Level. The script is technically well-crafted, but it’s lost the spontaneity and genuine joy of the first film. There are still some very good moments and is not likely to disappoint younger audience members despite a few frightening scenes and mild language.
Jumanji: The Next Level. Directed by Jake Kazdan. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Awkwafina. Opens wide December 13.