New ‘Jumanji’ film puts modern twist on 90s classic

As a child, I grew up watching the 1995 movie “Jumanji.” Although I have seen it countless times, it still makes my heart race as a fictional jungle and the real world start to merge.
When I learned that a remake of “Jumanji” was coming out, I was very excited. That excitement only grew when I learned who the actors in the movie were going to be: Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Nick Jonas, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan.
In “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” the classic Jumanji game transforms into a video game after realizing that board games are “outdated.” The characters are sent into the game and turn into their chosen “players.”
The concept is slightly different. However, for those who loved the thrill of the first “Jumanji,” love the actors and need a good laugh, this reboot is the perfect movie for you.
There are four main characters in this movie that perpetuate the basic high school stereotypes.
Spencer portrays the awkward “nerd,” while his former best friend “Fridge” is a high school football star. The two female leads are Bethany, the popular, pretty girl, and Martha, the brainiac.
While in detention, the group opts to play an old video game they find instead of doing their assigned work.
After they choose their characters in the video game,they are transported into the game of Jumanji and become the player they chose. Each character they encompass has a special skill set and a weakness.
While I love the classic “Jumanji” plot, this movie was not just a remake. The 2017 “Jumanji” brought a new humor to the film that was not in the previous one. A majority of the humor was based on the fact that the students turned into characters that did not seem to match their stereotype.
Spencer transformed into Dr. Smolder Bravestone, played by “The Rock.” The “nerd” who is scared of most human interactions now has to encompass the courageous leader of the group.
Bethany turns into Professor Shelly Oberon, played by Black. Not only does she have to now cope with being a boy, she also trades her “hot” body for the body of an overweight, middle-aged man.
“Fridge,” who is accustomed to being a large and powerful football player, turns into Bravestone’s small sidekick Moose Finbar, played by Hart.
Martha, who sees no point in beauty or physical activity
because it won’t get her into a good college, transforms into Ruby Roundhouse, played by Gillan, who uses her good looks and dance-fighting ability to her advantage.
The group must navigate new bodies and skills all while working together to save the land of Jumanji from the villain Van Pelt, played by Bobby Cannavale.
While it may just seem like a game, each player is given three lives. After they are out of lives, they actually die and will never return home.
“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” may not be critically acclaimed, but the humor and playful storyline provides a great escape for audiences who want to be entertained.