When I included 1995’s Jumanji in last year’s iteration of my advent calendar I received a couple of comments that suggested that the 2017 relaunch of the franchise might actually be one of those rare instances of a reboot being better than the original.
And those comments were absolutely spot on – Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is not only an interesting reimagining of what was already a pretty decent concept, it actually manages to be more entertaining than the original. And, lest we forget, the original had Robin Williams.
It is obviously pure popcorn entertainment, but it’s thoroughly enjoyable escapism with some interesting twists and some genuine laugh out loud moments along the way.
Score for Christmasishness
Much like the original movie, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is not overtly a Christmas movie, but like its predecessor, there are some quite Christmassy scenes at the end of the movie. Indeed there are actually some subtle hints that ’tis the season’ at the beginning, but they are ‘blink and you’ll miss them’ moments and as most of the movie takes places within a demonic video game, where there are no signs of Christmas at all, then Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is really only a bit Christmas(ish). But it’s no less entertaing for that.
James Proclaims! 
8 responses to “The Fifth Annual James Proclaims Advent Calendar of Christmas(ish) Films – Door 11”
The scene where Jack Black learns how to pee is pure gold.
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Yes, that was genius.
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I was flicking through the crap movie channel and this was just starting, and being bored, I thought I’d see how they could ruin a good movie- and I was pleasantly surprised, it was way better than I expected it to be. I was amused by the rock, and that is a feat I thought could never happen. Last time I thought I’d watch some kiddie/kiddult flick it was Land Of The Lost, Will Ferrell. I watched it with eyes wide and jaw unhinged. What a load of dinosaur crap. Oh, the Hollywood horror.
So finding something even adequate is no bad thing.
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I also assumed it would be rubbish. It is nice to be proven wrong every now and again.
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Now this looks like a film to actually watch!
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Yes, it is a rare example of a good movie in my festive list.
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Maybe not Christmas-y but still a fun movie!
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Brilliant fun, yes.
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