Sony
"Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle" trailers didn't scream critically acclaimed blockbuster, but early reactions from the select few movie journalists who have seen it think Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's newest movie is actually pretty good.
While full reviews won't be out for a few more weeks, the entertainment writers who attended the movie's Hawaii junket with most of the stars, also including Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Nick Jonas, shared their brief thoughts on Twitter Monday.
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View Story"Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised by 'Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle.' It's fun and funny in equal measure, and makes smart use of its great stars. Not much of a universe-builder for a fantasy sequel, but definitely a reinvention that works," CinemaBlend's Eric Eisenberg tweeted.
This "Jumanji" is not a sequel to the 1995 Robin Williams fantasy movie, which was based on Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 children's book of the same name, following kids who play a magical board game that brings the dangers of the jungle into their lives. Instead, the game takes the form of a video game console four kids in detention come across while cleaning out their school's basement. After selecting their characters -- Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Johnson), Franklin "Moose" Finbar (Kevin Hart), Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan) and Professor Shelly Oberon (Black) -- they're sucked into the screen and take on their respective characters' appearance, which works out great for the nerd, but not so much for the popular girl turned into a the chubby professor played by Black.
Here's what critics are saying, so far, about the new "Jumanji" hitting theaters on Dec. 20. Based on these reactions, it appears The Rock's latest movie will be greeted to significantly kinder reviews than critically panned comedy "Baywatch," but then again, "Justice League" early reactions were also mostly positive, while the majority of movie critics went on to blast it as it hit theaters.
Sony Pictures
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View StorySaw #Jumanji! It's light on nostalgia (besides a handful of Easter eggs), but a lot of fun. The body swap stuff is SO good. Could watch Jack Black play a teenage girl stuck in Jack Black's body, or @TheRock newly discover his muscles, forever. #WelcomeToTheJungle pic.twitter.com/yRIoQsWASV
@RogueCheddar
Was expecting the worst but have to admit the new #JUMANJI movie is a lot of fun. I'd even say it is one of the best “video game movies” ever made, maybe under only King of Kong, Scott Pilgrim, Edge of Tomorrow & Wreck It Ralph (none of which are adaptations).
@slashfilm
Happy to say that I was pleasantly surprised by Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle. It's fun and funny in equal measure, and makes smart use of its great stars. Not much of a universe-builder for a fantasy sequel, but definitely a reinvention that works. pic.twitter.com/2I0vPg4zt3
@eeisenberg
I can now say that the biggest surprise of the holiday season is #Jumanji. It's super entertaining & very funny w/ terrific cast chemistry (especially b/t @TheRock & @KevinHart4real). Video game fans will dig it even more. See it w/ the whole family pic.twitter.com/e6FOPwjsB5
@ErikDavis
Saw @jumanjimovie last night and it is A LOT of fun! @TheRock @karengillan @KevinHart4real and #JackBlack are chemistry gold. The body swapping stuff totally works, the action scenes are well done and it's got a great BIG heart at the center of it. Highly recommend it. #Jumanji pic.twitter.com/OmXkc1I24o
@TheRochaSays
My only real issue with the new #Jumanji is that there's not nearly enough @missipyle. pic.twitter.com/TjYUjJKfl5
@corey081590
#Jumanji was a ton of fun. Great nods to the original. Jack Black steals it. @TheRock and @KevinHart4real need to keep working together.
@BrandonDavisBD
And YO I love @karengillan!
Now that the social embargo for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is up, I will say that Jack Black's performance is perfection personified and deserves 12 Oscars. pic.twitter.com/4wu3Q4wYIB
@RebeccaPahle
Just saw @jumanjimovie and it was action-packed n hilarious at the same time. Luvedddd it! Thanks for the big aloha @TheRock and #JackBlack!!! See y'all tmr at the junket 🤙🏽🐆🦏🐘🌺 pic.twitter.com/ukEF4RoNad
@erinlimofficial
Hey, about that new #Jumanji: It's fun! It's the kind of family-friendly outing that should help settle a lot of debates this holiday season. Jack Black is very, very funny, and I kinda love how they attempt to make it a true sequel to the original with some wonky engineering.
@katerbland
Saw #Jumanji! It's light on nostalgia (besides a handful of Easter eggs), but a lot of fun. The body swap stuff is SO good. Could watch Jack Black play a teenage girl stuck in Jack Black's body, or @TheRock newly discover his muscles, forever. #WelcomeToTheJungle pic.twitter.com/yRIoQsWASV
@RogueCheddar
Saw @jumanjimovie last night and it is A LOT of fun! @TheRock @karengillan @KevinHart4real and #JackBlack are chemistry gold. The body swapping stuff totally works, the action scenes are well done and it's got a great BIG heart at the center of it. Highly recommend it. #Jumanji pic.twitter.com/OmXkc1I24o
@TheRochaSays
got to see #Jumanji and it is fun as heck! @TheRock totally steals the show, but everyone gets a chance to shine.
@ZachariusD
Saw a screening of #Jumanji & was pleasantly surprised at how much fun it was! Lots of laughs, adventure, "smolder" and heart. Robin Williams would have loved it. #sonypartner #WelcomeToTheJunket #ASequelWorthSeeing pic.twitter.com/KE3z9WlDAH
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