JUMANJI: THE NEXT LEVEL

US, 2019, 123 minutes, Colour.
Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, Karen Gillan, Awkwafina, Danny De Vito, Danny Glover, Colin Hanks, Rory Mc Cann, Bebe Neuwirth, Alex Wolff, Nick Jonas, Rhys Darby..
Directed by Jake Kasdan.

Way back in the 90s, Robin Williams invited the audience to go with him into the board game, Jumanji. After 20 years or so, the filmmakers decided it was time for a return, led by Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart. It was a very popular success. So now, on to The Next Level – which seems remarkably like the previous level in terms of the landscapes of Jumanji, the need for rescues, the adventures and the difficulties, the resolutions.

However, with some tongue in cheek humour, the writers have moved to the next level in terms of which characters are in which avatars! Quite clearly, Dwayne Johnson has to be Dr Bravestone, the hero of the piece. There was always humour in Jack Black being the animal expert with Kevin Hart along for the dithering humour. And, Karen Gillnn, was the archetypal active leading lady. So, this time, why not mix them up? And, for further complication, Spencer’s grandfather, Danny DeVito? at his crotchety best, encountering his old partner in the restaurant business, Milo, Danny Glover, both of them caught up into the world of Jumanji. Which leads to quite a mixup – grandpa becomes a very crotchety Dr Bravestone. Ruby and the Professor get mixed up, Kevin Hart becomes Milo and, later, their friend Bethany arrives as a horse!

At one moment, the professor and Ruby revert to what we expect. But that is short-lived. The humour of this part of the film is added to by Dwayne Johnson having to imitate Danny De Vito’s voice. And, then when they discover Spencer in the form of an Asian warrior, Awkwafina, they all go on the adventures to rescue a jewel stolen by an ultra--Viking looking villain, Jurgen.

But, just as we wonder whether the group could achieve its mission, having been pursued by a huge flock of ostriches, being stranded in the desert, attacked by monkeys over a chasm with continually moving bridges, climbing mountains… The avatar roles are reversed and everything goes back to normal, Spencer is once again Dr Bravestone, Ruby and the professor are themselves as is Kevin Hart – but Awkwafiina is now grandpa’s avatar and then she has to imitate Danny De Vito’s voice while Milo becomes the horse.

So, plenty to occupy the mind in mythical adventures in Jumanji land, plenty of excitement in the confrontations and battles – and always with some humour.

1. The popularity of the series? The board game? The adventures? The myths? Rescues? The avatars?

2. The home setting, the house, the basement? Spencer and grandpa? Milo’s arrival and his story of the past? Spencer and his friends?

3. Spencer, with his grandpa, glum, his girlfriend, the members of the group, his return, setting up Jumanji?

4. The avatars, the previous incarnations, the contrast with this adventure, the mixups, the various changes, the final change and achievement? Performances, Dwayne Johnson and Awkwafina using Danny DeVito’s? voice? The characters, the board with the information about their characters, strengths and flaws?

5. The myths, Juergen and his beard, villainy, taking the jewell, his court, the plan, the brothers’ arrival, unmasked, their sister and the marriage?

6. The perpetual driver, the character from the board game, his explanations and repetitions? The mission?

7. The landscapes and their range, the desert, the ostrich chase, the chasms, the bridges, the monkeys, the mountains, the valleys? The town, the court? The imaginary land?

8. The various threats, the three bars for life possibilities, the deaths, into the sky, landing again?

9. The avatars? Dr Bravestone, grandpa as the worst Dr Bravestone? The transition to Dwayne Johnson? Ruby, the heroine, the fights, changing into Professor Oberon? Kevin Hart and his dithering as the professor? The return to Jack Black? Milo and grandpa being drawn into the game, the different avatars, Milo finally as the horse? The fights, the swinging bridges, the monkeys?

10. Alex and his story, his continual reappearance?

11. Awkwafina, her avatar, Spencer, grandpa?

12. The adventures, the capture, the rescues, climbing the cliffs, the horse with wings? The pretence about the brothers, Ruby and the marriage? The buildup to the confrontation, the fight, the space vehicle, Professor Bravestone controlling it? Juergen falling to his death?

13. Milo, the ability to fly, his decision to stay, his terminal illness?

14. The resolution, the return home, the talk amongst friends?

15. Grandpa, the new lease of life, going to the restaurant, the discussion with Nora?