RUNDOWN/ WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE
US, 2003, 100 minutes, Colour.
The Rock, Seann William Scott, Rosario Dawson, Christopher Walken, Ewen Bremner.
Directed by Peter Berg.
Welcome to the Jungle as a star vehicle for The Rock. Duane Johnson was a renowned wrestler with his show name, The Rock. He appeared in the Mummy films and The Scorpion King and developed a film career with a rather wider range than might have been expected: the comedy in Be Cool as well as the video game, Doom.
Peter Berg, actor in such films as The Last Seduction and director of Very Bad Things, gives us a kind of free-for-all in the jungle, with many set pieces of fights and bouts. The action adventure borrows somewhat from the Indiana Jones series.
Seann William Scott had appeared in the American Pie films and such films as Road Trip. He has had a varied career with high comedy in Evolution as well as action in Bulletproof Monk. Rosario Dawson appeared in Larry Clark’s Kids and has appeared in many films including Sin City. Christopher Walken is an ever-reliable villain.
The plot is slight, Hawaii stands in for the Amazon jungle, there are chases as well as action sequences – and an ironic twist at the end.
1.Popular feature? Saturday matinee action? 21st century style?
2.The film as a star vehicle for The Rock, his screen presence, the opening with his getting the ring? His mission? In the jungle, his fighting abilities (and not using a gun)? His heroic stances, his back-story and saving the day?
3.The locations, in the United States, California, nightclubs? In the jungle, the mountain scenery, the jungle and the rivers? The encounters with the monkeys (Animatronic monkeys)? The musical score?
4.The character of Mr Beck, his work, his tough stances, his fight in the club, Walker giving him the commission, going to South America, the flight and the sticking-tape keeping the plane together? His seeing the slaves, the encounter with Hatcher? The money? Hatcher going back on his word? Searching for Travis, finding Mariana, and Travis? Taking him? The crash in the jungle, in the water, with the ropes and the monkeys? The verbal clashes? Their meeting the rebels, the fight with the rebels? Mariana as a leader? The attack by Hatcher and his men? The expedition, finding the archaeological treasure? Being paralysed, going to the airport, going to Mariana’s rescue, the fight? His taking Travis home, the encounter with his father, paralysing the father and the henchmen, a future between the two?
5.Travis, spoilt, getting himself in a mess, his father wanting him back? In the Amazon, searching for the treasure? The relationship with Mariana? With Hatcher? The clash with Mr Beck? Trying to get away from him, the incessant talking, the comic episodes, trying to pee, with the monkeys? His bad translation to the rebels and putting Mr Beck in? Finding the treasure? Paralysed? Going to Mariana’s rescue? His honourable intentions? Return to his father, his father’s stances, Mr Beck rescuing him? His pretending to take a strong stand? A future?
6.Hatcher, his henchmen, their cruelty, the money control, the borrowings, the slavery? The whips? Hatcher and his tough stances, going back on his word with Mr Beck? Attacking the camp? Attacking Mariana, taking her? The fights with Mr Beck, the cruel henchmen, the victory by Beck?
7.Mariana, working in the bar, with Travis, using him, the leader of the rebels? Her social stand? Taking the treasure? Captured? Travis giving it to her, the future for the rebels?
8.The world of clubs, Mr Beck getting the ring, debts, fights? The brutality in South America? The need for revolution?
9.Matinee material, mach and boys’ own excitement?
