In 2017, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle did something not everyone thought was possible—it managed to live up to the beloved 1995 film starring Robin Williams. Even though it was more of a pure comedy set inside the game, it managed to capture the heart and spirit of the original movie. It also managed to pull in some pretty monster numbers at the box office. And when you make nearly a billion dollars worldwide, no one waits two-plus decades to make a follow-up, which is why Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillian, and Jack Black are returning with Jumanji: The Next Level. But unlike their first time facing off against wild animals and crazed hunters, they will also have to live up to the expectations they set themselves. Will they be able to find the right magic formula once again as they do battle against the most dangerous board game in the world? Based on the newest trailer for the film, the key to winning Jumanji this time will be in capturing the spirit of Danny DeVito and Danny Glover. As long as they don’t get everyone killed.
Whereas the first trailer for the film focused on how the young group of friends ended up back in the game after an isolated Spencer led the rest to go on a rescue mission, this look at the movie focuses more on the kinds of challenges they will face once they are in there. It involves dangerous new locales, including a desert and an icy fortress atop a snowy mountain.
But the biggest problem they will face is that Danny DeVito and Danny Glover’s cranky new characters, representing every older person who has ever been confused by a video game, are accidentally sucked inside too. While that might not be great for Spencer’s chances of being saved, it should make for some amazing comedy, as The Rock’s avatar is inhabited by DeVito and Kevin Hart’s avatar is taken over by Danny Glover’s.
As for the other characters, we’re not sure who has it worst… no, wait, we’re definitely sure who has it worse—Bethany. She initially has to be a horse inside a game that appears to be broken. And that, even more than the deadly animals, villains, and inexperienced older players, should be pose the biggest problem. That is until the game finds its way back into the real world, which this trailer hinted towards the end. Whose boot did we see stepping back into the real world basement?
Sony
(Any chance that’s a misdirect and that boot actually belongs to a good guy like Nick Jonas’s video game version of Alex? Maybe he can crossover so Bethany can end up with him. She deserves to find happiness. Especially after having to be a horse.)
Even more than Welcome to the Jungle, this film has a lot to live up to. But having The Rock and Kevin Hart play two old Hollywood legends looks like a winning play. Directed by the returning Jake Kasdan (Orange County, Bad Teacher), who once again co-wrote the script with Jeff Pinkner (Lost, Venom), the game will reboot when Jumanji: The Next Level comes to theaters this Christmas.
Featured Image: Sony Pictures
