couple of thoughts on Jumanji 2

[deird1]

So, I went to see Star Wars VII. And, being a Star Wars movie, there were a bazillion trailers beforehand.

Trailer 1: EXCITING ACTION SCENE! Dramatic, hushed voiceover! Action scene! Action scene! Hushed voiceover comment! TENSE ACTION SCENE! ...MOVIE TITLE!!!

Trailer 2: EXCITING ACTION SCENE! Dramatic, hushed voiceover! Action scene! Action scene! Hushed voiceover comment! TENSE ACTION SCENE! ...MOVIE TITLE!!!

Trailer 3: EXCITING ACTION SCENE! Dramatic, hushed voiceover!

...and so forth.

Until...

Trailer 9: Four characters are in a videogame! The Rock is playing a nerd! The sexy chick is shy and uncomfortable with her outfit! Jack Black is playing a teenage girl! Shenanigans ensue!

In other words, it was actually going to have some sort of plot. Based on some characters.

I was intrigued.




And, yes, it was exactly the movie I was expecting. That is: a fun popcorn flick, centred around characters being funny, with a couple of exciting, not-very-tense, action scenes thrown in. I kinda love it.



I am now doing my post-movie browse through internet comments - and I'm intrigued by how many (pre-movie) comments there are complaining that it looks like a total tone-shift from the original movie. Which... they're not wrong. Jumanji was a dark, suspenseful adventure; Jumanji 2 is an action comedy.

But then, Alien is a horror movie; Aliens is an action movie.
Terminator is a horror movie; Terminator 2 is an action movie.
Gremlins is a horror movie; Gremlins 2 is a comedy.
Star Wars is a coming-of-age adventure; Empire Strikes Back is a... movie where the main character spends most of his time having lessons in Buddhism, with a total downer ending.
Back to the Future is a thoughtful look at what it's like to see your parents at your age; Back to the Future 2 is an adventure comedy in which the parents are barely a factor.



I guess my point is: I love Jumanji, I love Jumanji 2, and I'm glad to say they contrast well.