Movie Review: Jumanji

Jumanji
Starring: Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, Bebe Neuwirth
Director: Joe Johnston
TriStar Pictures, Interscope Communications, Teitler Film, USA, 1995. 

In 1869 two boys bury a chest in the ground. In 1969 young Alan Parrish (Adam Hann-Byrd) gets beaten by bullies. He goes to a construction site and finds the chest. Inside the chest there is a weird board game Jumanji. Alan's rich parents are sending Alan to a boarding school but he doesn't want to go. Alan plays the game with his friend Sarah (Laura Bell Bundy). Alan gets sucked into the game and Sarah flees in horror. Alan's parents spend their fortune on searching Alan and their shoe factory goes bankrupt. 

Young Alan finds a weird game

Wake not a sleeping lion

26 years later orphans Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) move in the house with their aunt Nora (Bebe Neuwirth). They find the magical game and play it. Soon the board spits out mosquitoes, lions and other wild animals and finally grown-up Alan (Robin Williams) appears. 

Judy and Peter play a game

Alan with jungle beard

Alan lived 26 years in Jumanji's jungle so he is up to a culture shock. He also hears about the fate of his parents and the shoe factory. He is reluctant to play anymore. The wild animals and mosquitoes are wrecking the town. The only way to make things normal is to finish the game so the kids must persuade Alan to play. 

Peter, Alan and Judy go meet Sarah

Monkey bikers

Alan convinces Sarah to play

Former shoe designer turned cop Carl (David Alan Grier) tries to make sense of strange happenings. Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) was shocked when Alan disappeared and is now a eccentric fortune teller. The kids and Alan must get her also to play the game. Then also a trigger-happy hunter Van Pelt (Jonathan Hyde) comes out the gameboard. Eventually Alan must face his greatest fears instead of running away.  

Stampede of elephants and rhinos

Carl arrests Alan for suspicious activity

Van Pelt hunting Alan

The movie is a fun roller-coaster ride with good cast. Robin Williams delivers his role with charm as always. The movie is a good 90s style family adventure with some scary moments. The special effects combine CGI and animatronics, effects are good but show their age. The movie is based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg. The movie has also a spiritual sequel Zathura, this time with a space themed board game.

Rating: Good