I attended a Sony-sponsored #WelcometotheJunket press trip which inspired my 7 reasons to see Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle. All opinions are my own.
What if games could come to life? After reading the book Jumanji to his son’s classroom , it was that question and the sense of wonder that went with it that inspired producer Matt Tolmach to create the new Jumanji movie, and it really took shape when he reached out to director Jake Kasdan.
After interviewing the producer and director on the press trip and screening the movie, I found plenty of reasons to see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, and I encourage you to see it when it arrives in theaters December 20, 2017.
It’s totally different from the original film.
The original has become a well-loved classic so a retread would be a mistake. Welcome to the Jungle isn’t a remake, reboot or anything other than a new Jumanji adventure. In the words of director Jake McKenna, “The way to update it would be to take it a long way away from the original movie that we all loved so we’re not just doing what they did again… in a lesser, new version. The original had its own magnitude and resonance… and what Robin did in that movie was so important to so many people. We wanted to honor that but do something different.”
Out with the old, in with the new.
In the original movie, the characters come out of a board game, but in this inverted twist, the characters go into a video game, and it’s done brilliantly. The players turn into their avatars and have to stay within the parameters and rules of the video game, but the world is real, not digital.
It’s a video game, but it’s reality.
The reasoning behind making the movie as a video game according to Matt Tolmach was that “video games give kids the ability to be anybody through their avatars… someone you might not have the courage to be in a normal day”. This gave the movie some emotional power yet was ripe with comedic possibilities.
In order to make the whole concept work, the world needed to feel tactile, not digital, so director Jake Kasdan told us it was important that the vast majority of the film was real, not CGI. Audiences see and feel the intense environment the characters are experiencing.
Because the movie is grounded in emotion, the stakes are all the more real. The characters discover they only have three lives each and if anybody loses all three, they’ll be stuck in the game, a point that is really driven home when they meet Nick Jonas’s character.
Female characters are empowered.
The quieter character comes out of her shell and discovers her inner badass, but both female characters experience growth on diametrically opposed arcs. How they represented the female characters and what their journey would be was extremely important to both director and producer.
It’s funny as hell. (Pardon my language, but it is.)
From the moment the characters enter the game as their avatars and discover their new physical selves, you’ll be cracking up. Jack Black’s portrayal of teenage Bethany is especially hysterical, and when director Matt Tolmach was asked about choosing Jack for the part, he summed it up perfectly, “He’s so clearly the perfect person for this. It wasn’t even an idea you had to have.”
At its heart, it’s a story about friendship and self-discovery.
The movie’s overarching idea is: “What would you learn about yourself if you could spend a day in someone else’s skin?” It’s a concept that makes for a funny, interesting movie with emotional impact.
The four main characters aren’t friends when they find themselves together in the video game, but they come to trust and rely on each other over time, each of them making sacrifices as the bonds begin to cement. According to Tolmach, “The video game was really just a mechanism to explore the story of four kids who had to find each other in order to get through high school.”
That teenage angst tho. So relatable.
Director Jake Kasdan was really drawn to and connected deeply with the movie’s idea of “How would you live if you thought you didn’t have anything to be afraid of? And how is that different from how you live anyway? And how do you close the gap between those things? For teenagers, fear is one of the main things driving them… what you’re afraid of can be all different things, sometimes not the right things.”
There really are so many reasons to see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. Go see it in theaters December 20th!
Alissa Apel says
It will be a fun one to see. I love movies like this because they can engage the whole family. They are too adult, or too kid like.
Nikka Shae says
I can’t wait to see this movie! I have the first movie, and we still watch it too. My son was a big fan for years!
rebekah says
This is one premiere I’m SO excited about! I love the cast!
Courtney says
I had no idea they were coming out with a new jumanji movie! Can’t wait to see it in theaters.
Anosa says
Ohh, I didn’t know there is actually new Jumanji movie. Looks like its really different from the old one. Makes me excited for it. Looking forward to watch it.
My Teen Guide says
I am so excited to watch this movie. I am a fan of Dwayne Johnson. He’s a really good actor, whether it be comedy, action or drama. My kids are equally excited too. We loved the original Jumanji, but a different story/plot would be something we’d really look forward to watching.
Kita Bryant says
This movie looks so hilarious. Kevin Hart is the funniest.
Sandy N Vyjay says
Jumanji-Welcome to the Jungle looks really fascinating and promises some great times. Being passionate about jungles an wildlife, we would really love this. Will watch out for it.
My Teen Guide says
We loved the first Jumanji film but this second one seems totally different. That’s fantastic though because sometimes a remake does not do justice to the original. Thanks for sharing your experience at the event. I will be looking forward to watching this film.
Chelley Martinka says
I love the original so much, I am wary of this one. But I still cant wait to see it!
Jenni says
This makes me so excited to see the movie! I can’t wait to see it!
Jocelyn @ Hip Mama's Place says
This is really exciting! I’ve been waiting for the movie ever since I saw the trailer and some of the BTS clips! I think it’s really nice that it’s finally coming out! Thanks for the heads up!
Carol Cassara says
I have the best reasons to see this! First, the kids will love it, second Dwayne Johnson! But really, it’s a fantastic movie and I cannot wait for my kids and I to go see it when it comes out!
Toni | Boulder Locavore says
Sounds like this is a new fun adventure for the characters! I can’t wait to see it! I am sure my family is as excited! 😀
Rosey says
Awesome that this came from a book read at a school. You just never know when an idea is going to pop up. I like that the women are empowered. We’ll be seeing this one.
Sarah says
The kids have been wanting to see this. I’m excited for it as well. Looks like it’s going to be a good one.
Debra Hawkins says
I adore Karen Gillan so much. I can’t lie, I will go see it just because I adore her in everything!
janis says
Looks like a really fun press trip you had. Jumanji Welcome to the Jungle looks like a really good movie, so will have to check it out at the movie theater.
Tomi C says
The Rock and Kevin Hart have great online comedic chemistry and I know they’ll shine in this movie. I can’t wait to see it.
Sara Welch says
I seriously cannot wait for this one. It is such an all star cast.
Marissa Zurfluh says
There are way more than 7 reasons to watch this. It looks absolutely hilarious.
Stacie says
This looks like a fantastic movie. I can’t wait to see it. I am glad they aren’t doing a remake of the original.
Janell Poulette says
This movie is totally on our Christmas Break. We all can’t wait for vacation so we can see it.
reesa says
I am super excited about seeing the new Jumanji! It was one of my favorites growing up!
Ali || Veggies by Candlelight says
I loved the first Jumanji, and I have been wanting to see the second one. This post truly makes it easier to make my decision to go see it!
Pam says
I’m so glad that it isn’t just a Jumanji remake. The original movie was a classic, and I don’t know if they could ever redo that. But this sounds like a fun new Jumanji adventure.
Brianne says
We cannot wait to see this movie! And how incredible was your interview experience…so cool!
Claudia Krusch says
I have been so excited to go see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. I loved the first one and was so happy when they announced they were making this one.
Dawn Lopez says
I am like… SO ready for this movie! This is a fun list & I’m totally stoked about the female characters being empowered, that’s a total bonus to hear since I was previously just pretty stoked about Kevin & Dwayne being in the movie. Can’t wait! Woot!
Pam says
I love that the movie empowers female characters too. That’s always something I look for in a movie.
Myrah Duque says
What a great experience! I am so looking forward to watching the movie! The first one was amazing!
AnnMarie John says
I’m really excited for this movie because I love the cast! They’re perfect and I’m sure the movie’s going to so much fun to watch for me and the kids!
Vanessa Delia says
I am totally geeking out over this movie. I am LOVING the spin they put on things to match the modern age.
Claudia Krusch says
I have been so excited to see Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle. I loved the first movie and was so happy when I heard they were making it.
Kathy says
I can’t wait to see this movie. I’ve been wanting to see it since I saw the previews. It looks like it’s going to be so funny and great.
Amy Desrosiers says
Even though I loved the first one, I am happy to see this. Now that I read more about it, I will give it a chance.
Noelle Davis says
Planning to take broxron to see it the day it comes out, it’s on my calendar!!!
Mellissa says
I loved the original, but now that the new one is coming I absolutely cannot wait to see this version that adds a little comedy to it. My son and I have already decided that this is one that is going on our list.
Bill Sweeney says
Duwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart have to be the funniest duo in a long time! I love their chemistry, so Jumanji would be an obvious choice to watch!
Jenn @ EngineerMommy says
The commercials look great. I would really love to see this movie. I see a trip to the theater in store for our family in the near future!
Melissa Chapman says
I never saw the first one so this is all new to me. The cast seems amazing and it sounds like an adventure movie for the whole family which is unusual these days
Amy Desrosiers says
I love the original film so much! I hope this one can hold a candle to it!
JDaniel4's Mom says
This sounds like a wonderful movie! I have been looking for one to take my son to during his Winter Break!
Sinisa says
It will quickly become a classic. Great cast and story
travel blogger says
I have loved the commercials I have seen for this movie, and I am definitely going to see it. The movie looks hilarious! And I loved the original when I was a kid. I can’t wait to see it!
hey sharonoox says
I really like the original jumanji but this new version sounds exciting and a fun movie. So, I can’t wait to watch this with my family.
Alicia says
This press junket was fun to follow along with via Twitter! It looks like it will be a great / funny movie, and I can’t wait to see it!
Heather says
We loved the original Jumanji film. We are all cautiously optimistic about this one!
Jeanette says
I saw the commercial for this movie and it already cracked me up so I cannot wait to see it. This is going to be a fun family movie I think.
Nichole says
It looks like a great movie! How cool that you got to attend and get an advanced screening!
Connie says
After dealing with all of the holiday stress, who couldn’t use a great movie? This looks great.
Joline says
OMG I cannot wait to see this movie! I saw the trailer a few days ago and it was hilarious. I loved the first Jumanji and it’s great to hear they’re not doing a “remake”.
Michelle Waller says
I can’t wait to see this movie with my kids!! Whenever The Rock and Kevin Hart are in a movie together, there are sure to be a ton of laughs.
Jeni Hawkins says
I cannot WAIT to see Jumanji! I love Dwayne Johnson – he’s hilarious! I didn’t really like the original movie, but think I will love this one!
Neely Moldovan says
I loved the original movie so I m pretty pumped for this one as it looks so much better!
Donna says
I loved the first Jumanji, so I’m thrilled that it is different. And from the previews, it looks hilarious! We can’t wait to see it!
candy says
Didn’t know they had a new one coming out. Remember seeing the original and we enjoyed watching it very much. Will have to check out the new movie.
Amber Myers says
We will be seeing this movie as a family. It looks so hilarious. Plus I like a lot of the actors in it.
Lisa says
I loved the first Jumanji and am glad that it is different. I am excited to see this and am already a fan of Jack Black.
Alli Smith says
My family loved Jumanji and I’m excited about this new and different take. I can hardly wait to take the boys to see it.
valmg @ Mom Knows It All says
I loved the movie Jumanji, Robin Williams was perfect in it. I was wondering how this would turn out and I’d like to go see it.
Colleen says
I have been waiting for this since the rumors first started circulating. Now that I’ve seen the trailers, I am just so freaked out over it! Yay!
Stacie says
My family is so excited to see this! I love the new take on this one, and I love the cast. The Rock makes everything better!
Robin rue says
You don’t have to tell me twice, the Rock is in it so I will be there. I am excited for this movie, though – it looks cute.
Scott says
I’m glad to hear it’s a completely different film. While I enjoyed the first one, I’m happy to know it might be a completely different story!