Welcome to Jumanji: The Next Level

By Angelina Gallardo, Editor      Published January 28, 2020

On Dec. 11, 2017, the third movie of the Jumanji franchise was released and now 2 years later, we have a sequel following the events 3 years later after the film. 

Jumanji: The Next Level is the perfect family movie that is filled with humor, adventure and a little bit of romance as well. It is diverse and presents the actors showing their ability to play new characters. The sequel was directed by Jake Kasdan, who directed Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, and also starred the original cast playing their original characters with a few new actors joining the set including Danny Devito, Awkwafina, and Rory McCann. 

The movie starts off three years after Jumanji was saved by the four high school students who were transported to the video game during detention. Spencer Gilpin finds himself wanting to go back to the world of Jumanji again and goes back into the video game. Martha Kaply, Bethany Walker, and Anthony Johnson (Fridge) go back to Jumanji to bring Spencer back.

The third movie, unlike this new film, had a lot more of a jungle and forest-like setting. The fourth installment has different settings including desert and snowy mountains. There are also more problems the high school students are faced with, which involves more complicated life and death scenarios and a villain who shows ambition to take over Jumanji. 

One actor in particular that was involved in the first Jumanji movie starring Robin Williams is also shown at the end and plays their character again from 1995. In addition, another character from the third installment of Jumanji is unexpectedly is brought to bring back Gilpin and save Jumanji.

The original actors from the third film seem to enjoy playing their old and new characters. With new characters brought upon the film, all the actors successfully managed to stay in character. Black, in particular, is amazing when it comes to new scenarios and plays his parts really well. 

Jumanji: The Next Level is a PG-13 film for its adventure action and language. It is 123 minutes long and was rated by Northwest students as a 7 out of 10.