Jumanji (1995)
Roll the dice and unleash the excitement!
Starring: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, David Alan Grier & Bebe Neuwirth
Director: Joe Johnston
Written by: Jonathan Hensleigh, Greg Taylor & Jim Strain
Released: December 15, 1995
Budget: $65 million
Box office: $262.8 million
Distributed: Sony Pictures Releasing.
There are certain films that no matter how many times you’ve seen them, every viewing feels like the first. For me, it’s the film - Jumanji.
The whole premise feels ripped from the pages of a Goosebumps book, which is ironic because it’s based on a book of the same name, yet the book isn’t as exciting in comparison (read here). Imagine finding a board game that not only moves the animal pieces by itself but also creates a cryptic message, only to have those very things appear in the real world. Tell me that doesn’t sound like spooky fun.
But amidst the scary scenarios that are present on screen is the heartbeat 💓of the film - the late, great Robin Williams. He, along with Jim Carrey, was practically my entire childhood. I can’t remember between this and Mrs. Doubtfire, which I saw first, but I know I loved him as an actor ever since. My appreciation for this film has only deepened and whenever Robin is onscreen it is a reminder of just how much light his soul had, the joy he brought to us all, and what an amazing talent he was 🙏🕊️.
But we have monkey business to sort out. So let’s skip school, roll the dice 🎲🎲 and play JUMANJI
C’mon, opening scene. Trying to scare the audience immediately are we now? Well, I remember being on alert when I first saw this. Back in the day of good ol’ VHS tapes 📼 I never saw movie trailers, so when I would choose a film to rent I had to rely on word-of-mouth, some marketing preview shown on TV, or select based on how interesting the movie poster looked. Oftentimes, I’d go into the film completely blind, not knowing what to expect. So when I saw this spooky opening for Jumanji, it caught me a bit off guard. Maybe that’s why I love this film so much…it’s a quasi-horror film for kids. I was already delving into the world of Goosebumps, Are You Afraid of the Dark so my palette for the creepy and eerie was developing, and this opener was packed with all the necessary spooky flavors.
Then we meet young Alan Parrish. When he discovered the board game hidden in a buried chest at his father’s construction site, my mind immediately thought that Jumanji has a similarity to Evil Dead, but Jungle-fied and no gore of course. Later when he gets into a fight with his dad about going to boarding school and decides to pack a suitcase to run away (with very limited items, including a loaf of bread), I couldn’t help but chuckle because I used to do this all the time. I would threaten my parents that I was going to run away from home and write them a letter that it would be for a mere TWO days and pack a bag and everything, only to hide away somewhere in the house where I believed they couldn’t find me😅. When young Sarah enters the fold and is exposed to Jumanji the movie goes back into horror mode. I loved when Alan said “Oh no. The game thinks I rolled” and Sarah responded, “What do you mean the game thinks?”. There’s something creepy about giving a board game human qualities like the ability to think and cause chaos. Alan gets sucked into the game and Sarah is chased by African bats.
For a 1995 film, the CGI and practical effects still hold up well. Then again, this film had a $65 million budget and it shows. It’s better than some films we get today quite honestly. This film feels like a labour of love because only a hard-working, dedicated, and talented team could pull this level of production off. I was curious to see the behind-the-scenes and you can watch it here.
Twenty-six years later, we meet Judy and Peter Shepard. The film took liberties with the characters and changed things up from the book (read here), adding richer complexities to their characters. I always have loved the sibling dynamic within horror and it seems to commonly come in the form of an older sister and younger brother. Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce did a great job individually, had great chemistry as a duo and could hold their own against more experienced and seasoned actors. They remind me of Lex and Tim from Jurassic Park. I wonder if there was any influence from that film since it was released two years prior 🤔.
When the kids find the game in the attic, they roll and summon mosquitoes, monkeys, and a very scary-looking lion. While the first two animals are very CGI-looking, however, the lion’s practical puppeteering combined with the use of CGI was impressive. Not since Never Ending Story’s Gmork have I been so intimidated by an animal puppet.
Alan and Sarah are reunited as adults, and the four players have to finish the game to put a stop to the chaos. We follow them as they go through many obstacles including a man-eating flower, the hunter Van Pelt, a stampede, a monsoon with alligators, quicksand, and some large ass spiders. I have no critiques whatsoever. At this point in the movie, I am just along for the thrilling ride and marveling at this world that was built onscreen for the viewers to enjoy. Once again, all the special effects, cinematography, and set production are executed well and helped to emphasize the pandemonium, which makes the urgency of finishing the game that much more real.
Let’s not forget to quickly mention the performances of Bonnie Hunt, David Alan Grier, Bebe Neuwirth, and Jonathan Hyde (who did double duty). Job well done 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Jumanji is not only a family movie but could be a generational movie. I feel like millennials who now are parents and have kids can show them this film and they’ll be able to share the same entertainment value. Although some elements may be dated, overall it has a very timeless quality to it that qualifies it as a childhood staple. There are also really deep and complex child-related fears, anxieties, and issues within this film such as bullying, trauma, isolation, grief, courage, and loss that give it additional layers amid the wild adventures.
I highly recommend this movie. It’s got everything you need from thrills to heart and you’ll never find yourself bored or checking your watch. It’s very rewatchable and with each viewing, you’ll appreciate it more and more. This is also the perfect gateway movie for any young, budding horror fans in the making.
I give this film 5 out of 5 African drums 🪘.
Share your thoughts on the movie and what your favourite terror from the game is below.
