Directed by:
Joe JohnstonCinematography:
Thomas E. AckermanComposer:
James HornerCast:
Robin Williams, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, Bonnie Hunt, Bebe Neuwirth, David Alan Grier, Patricia Clarkson, Adam Hann-Byrd, James Handy (more)VOD (3)
Plots(1)
Because of the magically surreal and potentially lethal aspects of Jumanji, a board game that's intrigued its players for hundreds of years, few people want to play a second time. For you see, unless you complete the game, Jumanji takes over your world. Young Alan Parris discovered the ornate Jumanji board in 1969, when he was just twelve. When he sits down to play it for the first time with his reluctant friend Sarah, he's transported into the jungle realm of Jumanji, disappearing before Sarah's startled eyes. Because Sarah is too frightened to finish the game, Alan remains trapped in the rainforests of Jumanji for 26 years until two new children, Judy and Peter, sit down to play the game in the attic of Alan's childhood home. If Alan, Judy and Peter can find the now adult Sarah, they have a chance to finish the game--or risk their hometown being taken over by the exotic denizens of the seemingly unstoppable force called Jumanji... forever. (official distributor synopsis)
(more)Reviews (4)
Back in the day it was one of my favourite movies, but now I prefer other stuff. So at least 3*.
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A magical adventure for the whole family by Chris Van Allsburg from the days when going to the movie theater still counted for something. All my life I've loved the story with Kirsten Dunst about losing your parents and the mysterious game that makes you live through 26 years in the jungle. It has great special effects for its time, good acting, and unfortunately, now just a memory of Robin Williams.
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A bit out of necessity I was forced to reach for this fairytale-like family adventure, but in the end I don't regret it. The whole thing relies a lot on Williams, which is probably a bit wrong for a film with such an interesting premise and such good effects, and yet couldn't tear myself away from it and had more fun than I ever hoped for. Jumanji is a classic story for younger children, and that's how the whole film should be viewed – not amazing, but still a guarantee of great entertainment for a brisk Sunday afternoon that would certainly bring a welcome addition to our TV screens. I actually don't know why I'd never caught it on TV before. 70%
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Even as a child, I liked this movie a lot and nothing has changed about that even after years. Well, okay, those digital creatures don't seem as cool to me anymore, but the whole idea revolving around a game coming to life is simply great and still captivates me. It's sometimes a bit simple and cliché, but it still has immense charm for me.
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