Newsletter
  • Guides
  • Previews
    • Indie Games
    • PS4
    • PC
    • Xbox One
    • Nintendo Switch
    • Nintendo 3DS
    • PS Vita
    • PS3
    • Xbox 360
    • Wii U
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Staff Directory
    • Join Our Team
    • Privacy Policy
      • Cookies Policy
    • RSS Feeds
    • Social Media
      • Youtube
      • Facebook
      • Twitter
      • Twitch
      • Instagram
      • Tumblr
      • Linkedin
      • Pinterest
      • Discord
  • Discord
  • Store
  • Logitech G
  • green man gaming
  • Affiliates
    • GAMIVO.com
    • Logitech
    • Astro Gaming
    • Nord VPN
    • Best Buy
    • Namecheap Hosting
    • Blue Mic
    • Ultimate Ears
    • Jaybird
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
BG
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    45 minutes of Eternights Gameplay

    Back to the Dawn Gets New Gamescom Trailer

    Avatar: The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance Launching Late September

    Remnant 2 Available Now For PC and Consoles

    Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Battle Chronicle Pre-registration Available Now

    New Remnant 2 ‘Hunter Archetype’ Trailer Released

    ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY Closed Beta Announced

    Guardian Goddess Idle RPG Registration Open

    esports tournament dates 2023

    Don’t Miss These Major Esports Tournaments Coming in 2023!

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews

    AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead and Undressed Switch Review

    Remnant 2 PC Review

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie PC Review

    Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Nintendo Switch Review

    Atelier Ryza 3

    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Nintendo Switch Review

    No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

    Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

    Wanted: Dead Review

    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion
    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space

    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space (Without Irritating Each Other!)

    explore a new world of esports - bet successfully on valorant matches!

    Explore a New Era of eSports: Bet Successfully on Valorant Matches

    betting on video games - 5 tops picks

    Betting on Video Games: 5 top picks

    esports betting featured image

    5 Secrets of Bankroll Management That You Don’t Know

    Popular games featured image

    The increasing popularity of online casinos

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    buying, szelling, and trading csgo skins

    What To Expect When Buying, Selling, & Trading CS: GO Skins

    What Are the Best Ways to Gear Up in Retail WOW?

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Void Slayer – Review

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

    Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

    Nacon Rig 600 PRO Gets Release Date

    Cliff Bleszinski’s Comic Book Launches at San Diego Comic-Con

    RiotPWR Gaming Controller RP1950 Is Future Proof

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    Pwnage Releases New Info On Stormbreaker, The Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • All
    • Esports
    • Interviews

    45 minutes of Eternights Gameplay

    Back to the Dawn Gets New Gamescom Trailer

    Avatar: The Last Airbender: Quest for Balance Launching Late September

    Remnant 2 Available Now For PC and Consoles

    Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon?: Battle Chronicle Pre-registration Available Now

    New Remnant 2 ‘Hunter Archetype’ Trailer Released

    ROBOCOP: ROGUE CITY Closed Beta Announced

    Guardian Goddess Idle RPG Registration Open

    esports tournament dates 2023

    Don’t Miss These Major Esports Tournaments Coming in 2023!

    Trending Tags

    • Top Stories
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • Nintendo
    • Retro Games
    • Mobile Games
    • Indie Games
    • Square Enix
    • Sony
    • Microsoft
    • PAX
    • EGX
    • Gamescom
    • Rockstar Games
    • Electronic Arts
    • Activision Blizzard
    • E3 Expo
  • Reviews
    • All
    • Flash Game Reviews
    • Google Stadia
    • Indie Game Reviews
    • Mobile Game Reviews
    • Nintendo 3DS Reviews
    • Nintendo Switch Reviews
    • PC Reviews
    • PS Vita Reviews
    • PS3 Reviews
    • PS4 Reviews
    • PS5 Reviews
    • Retro Game Reviews
    • Reviews RoundUP
    • Xbox 360 Reviews
    • Xbox One Reviews

    AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead and Undressed Switch Review

    Remnant 2 PC Review

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails Into Reverie PC Review

    Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly Nintendo Switch Review

    Atelier Ryza 3

    Atelier Ryza 3: Alchemist of the End & the Secret Key Nintendo Switch Review

    No More Heroes 3 PS4 Review

    Neptunia: Sisters vs Sisters PS4 Review

    Wanted: Dead Review

    The Legend of Heroes Trails From Zero

    The Legend of Heroes: Trails From Zero PC Review

    Trending Tags

    • Resident Evil
    • Call of Duty
    • Final Fantasy
    • Destiny
    • Borderlands
    • Halo
    • The Elder Scrolls
    • Fortnite
    • PUBG
    • Bioshock
    • The Witcher
  • Opinion
    • All
    • Second Opinion
    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space

    7 Tips to Game in a Shared Space (Without Irritating Each Other!)

    explore a new world of esports - bet successfully on valorant matches!

    Explore a New Era of eSports: Bet Successfully on Valorant Matches

    betting on video games - 5 tops picks

    Betting on Video Games: 5 top picks

    esports betting featured image

    5 Secrets of Bankroll Management That You Don’t Know

    Popular games featured image

    The increasing popularity of online casinos

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    buying, szelling, and trading csgo skins

    What To Expect When Buying, Selling, & Trading CS: GO Skins

    What Are the Best Ways to Gear Up in Retail WOW?

    Chance to make money with valorant?

    Valorant, CS: GO, Dota 2 – Just Online Games or an Opportunity to Make Money on Bets?

    Trending Tags

    • Is It A Classic?
    • Remember When
    • Do We Even Care Anymore?
    • Humpday Haikus
    • Top Series
    • Thirsty Thursday
    • Aging Gamer
    • On The Way To E3
  • Podcasts
    • All
    • The BagoCast
    • TSR BagoCast

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Politics in Video Games Games

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist 2

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Titan Fall and Apex: Legends Hacked

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Content Creators vs Game Journalist

    BagoCast EP: 12 – Code Vein and the DLC

    Debate/Discussion: Bad Video Games That We Love

    Discussion/Debate: Is Bioware Gone?

    Trending Tags

    • Film Fallout
    • 8Bit Proof
    • Gaming Historia
    • Bago Anime Cast
    • Gamers In Beta
    • Gamers Unscripted
  • Videos

    So, You Wanna Play Junker Queen?

    Matchpoint Tennis Championships Live Review

    Void Slayer – Review

    The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

    Crunchyroll Panel Full Video @ Anime Frontier

    BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

    She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

    Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – Social Media & Esports

  • Geek Culture
    • All
    • Anime and Manga
    • Anime/Manga Review
    • Collectibles
    • Comic Books
    • Cosplay
    • Movies
    • Tech
    • TV Shows

    Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

    Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

    Nacon Rig 600 PRO Gets Release Date

    Cliff Bleszinski’s Comic Book Launches at San Diego Comic-Con

    RiotPWR Gaming Controller RP1950 Is Future Proof

    Manga Review: Summertime Rendering Volumes 2 & 3

    Pwnage Releases New Info On Stormbreaker, The Magnesium Alloy Gaming Mouse

    Eminence in Shadow Mobile RPG Gets New Trailer, Available Now

    Crunchyroll Announces Anime Frontier Panels and Premieres

    Trending Tags

    • Movie Reviews
    • Movie News
    • TV News
    • TV Episode Review
    • Episode Guide
    • Competitive Gaming
    • Tech News
    • Tech Review
    • Anime and Manga News
    • Anime and Manga Review
    • Comic Book News
    • Comic Book Review
  • Forum
No Result
View All Result
BagoGames
No Result
View All Result

BagoGames > Articles > Geek Culture > Movies > “Jumanji: The Next Level” Review: A Decent DLC

“Jumanji: The Next Level” Review: A Decent DLC

A Pleasing Add-On To A Fun Adventure

Mark McPherson by Mark McPherson
4 years ago
in Geek Culture, Movies
Reading Time: 4 mins read
0
Frank Masi/© 2019 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Frank Masi/© 2019 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

In 2017, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was a huge surprise of a picture. It wasn’t just that it was able to go toe-to-toe with Star Wars: The Last Jedi and still hold its own as a big money-maker through the holidays but that it changed it up the formula. 1995’s Jumanji was a ho-hum, slapdash adventure based on the popular book. It had an audience though they were more cult than broad. Welcome to the Jungle changed everything as transforming the mystical board game into a video game. The new format was so strong a sequel was guaranteed. And there’s just enough gas left in its tank for one more level.

Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Karen Gillan and Jack Black. Frank Masi/© 2019 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

A Reason to Return

The biggest hurdle that comes from any sequel is trying to find a reason to place the characters back in peril. Since the previous film, the hour high-schoolers destroyed the Jumanji video game they were once sucked into. They now have their own lives since graduating and are hoping to catch up over the holidays. The only one who is not as enthused to meet up is Spencer. Life has not been kind to him given his relationship to Martha that ended and his lacking job. Remember, Spencer was once in the body of Dwayne Johnson while inside the Jumanji video game. His meekness seems to still be present.

When he gets home, he decides instead to lounge around the house with his aged grandfather (Danny Devito). When dear old grandad tells him life is not going to get any better, that’s all Spencer needs to hear to get back in the game. I mean, come on, you get to be Dwayne Johnson. Sure, you may face certain death, but it’s an unstoppable Johnson that can punch people through walls. But since Spencer’s friends of Martha, Fridge, and Bethany can’t leave him behind, they venture back into the game to save him.

RelatedStories

Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

2 weeks ago

Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

3 weeks ago
Kevin Hart, Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan in Jumanji: The Next Level. Hiram Garcia/© 2019 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Character Swaps

There are a few new tricks thrown into the mix this time around. Thanks to the game being damaged, nobody gets to choose who they play as in the game. Also, they don’t even get to decide if they WANT to play. This is how both Danny Devito and his companion of Danny Glover get sucked in as well. They’re plopped in the bodies of the strong Bravestone (Johnson) and the resourceful Mouse (Kevin Hart). They’re a welcome addition considering they’re not at all familiar with a video game as the returning characters now know all the rules. Or do they?

A big problem with this concept is that it asks a lot of the actors. Though Dwayne Johnson can do a lot, he can’t quite muster a Danny Devito impersonation. Awkwafina, on the other hand, can pull it off perfectly and the swapping function is mercifully included later on. Some actors, however, just can’t pull off the more mature version of these teenagers and fall back on stereotypes. Jack Black, in particular, falls back on the perky high school girl persona that Bethany seems to have left behind. Karen Gillan thankfully doesn’t try to do too many impersonations and fells the most natural.

Frank Masi/© 2019 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Standard Adventure

The story of Jumanji has not changed by its very structure. You know the drill: a treasure is missing, a warlord is killing, and our heroes have to save the day and escape the game. There’s some changing in locations that are at least visually appealing. Easily the most exciting and clever scene involves our heroes trying to make their way across rotating and rickety bridges while chased by wild animals. Meanwhile, the big fortress of the new bad guy is on a snowy mountain with a blimp in tow, feeling more routine than astounding.

What carries the adventure more, of course, are the character arcs. I really dug how the first act sets up the issues that need to be resolved between Spencer and Martha as well as Devito and Glover. These issues carry into the game and keep the great character chemistry flowing. What’s a bit frustrating, however, is that most of these issues seem resolved just before the big action climax. This makes the theatrics of Johnson punching the warlord out a blimp feel somewhat empty. Dazzling, sure, but without as much heart as the rest of the picture.

Frank Masi/© 2019 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Conclusion

Even for being little than a minor upgrade, there’s still plenty of fun left in Jumanji for one more level. There’s plenty of brilliant lines of commentary throughout. The cast excels at delivering these gags in the funniest way possible. Even when they can’t quite match the actors they’re channeling, they still perform admirably. It’s another satisfying and silly outing that takes heed of video game mechanics while still becoming its own thing, sometimes breaking the rules. So, yes, it is a movie worth watching Kevin Hart get angry at cake one more time. But for the next film, which Sony is clearly hoping for, more than just a DLC needs to be added.

The Review

Jumanji: The Next Level

7 Score

Even for being little than a minor upgrade, there's still plenty of fun left in Jumanji for one more level.

PROS

  • Fun Character Chemistry
  • Pleasing Jungle Adventure Theatrics
  • Unique Reason to Return to the Game

CONS

  • Lacking Impersonations
  • Standard Adventure Plot
  • Character Arcs Resolve Too Early

Review Breakdown

  • Final Score 0
Tags: JumanjiMovie Reviews
ShareTweetShare


Previous Post

Here are the Game Awards 2019 Winners

Next Post

Top 4 Perfect Mobile Games For iPad Pro

Subscribe
Connect with
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
guest
The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us to keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser cookies for the next time I comment.

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

BAGOGAMES WEEKLY NEWSLETTER

Get this week's top news, reviews, guides, videos and opinion for your favorite games, movies, TV and tech in your email every Friday.

Don't worry, we don't spam.

NEW ON BAGOGAMES

Anime and Manga

Crunchyroll To Host My Hero Academia UA Heroes Battle World Premiere Screening at New York Comic Con

by Abdul Saad
2 weeks ago
Geek Culture

Xbox to Launch the Xbox Credit Card

by Michael Mosley
3 weeks ago
Game Reviews

AKIBA’S TRIP: Undead and Undressed Switch Review

3 weeks ago

LATEST PODCASTS & VIDEOS

Currently Playing

Void Slayer – Review

Void Slayer – Review

Game Reviews

The IDEAL Spider-Man VR Game

Opinion

BPM: Bullets Per Minute – Shooting to The Beat (Review)

Game Reviews

She Will Punish Them – Warning: Mature Content (Early Access Review)

Game Reviews

Bagocast: Interview with Upper Echelon Gamers – The Future of Game Journalism

Opinion

FOLLOW US

BagoGames

BagoGames.com © 2023 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Navigate Site

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Staff Directory
  • Join Our Team
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter
  • RSS Feeds
  • Discord Server
  • BG Store
  • OpenCritic
  • green man gaming
  • Logitech G
  • GAMIVO.com
  • ASTRO Gaming
  • Logitech
  • Namecheap Hosting
  • Nord VPN
  • Best Buy
  • Blue Mic
  • Reviews
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Guides

Follow Us

  • Login
  • Sign Up
No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Reviews
  • Opinion
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Geek Culture
  • Previews
  • Guides
  • Short Videos
  • Forum
  • Site Info
    • About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise
    • Join Our Team
    • Staff Directory
    • Privacy Policy
    • Newsletter
    • RSS Feeds

BagoGames.com © 2023 BagoGames LLC. All rights reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
wpDiscuz