Jumanji *** (1995, Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, Bradley Pierce, Bebe Neuwirth) – Classic Movie Review 1539

Director Joe Johnston’s fun and friendly 1995 family movie stars Robin Williams, who really sparks up a very jolly special effects-laden comedy adventure as a man trapped in the Jumanji jungle board game for 26 years.

Williams finds himself released from the game when sibling youngsters Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce start to play it. But Williams is only freed for mischief and mayhem, as he is forced to play again. This time he sets the creatures of the jungle loose on the city.

Ace trick work leads this scary for young kids, funny trip of a lifetime. The movie is good overall, but Williams’s special pizzazz and some brilliant visual-effects-driven action highlights help to make it a great occasion. Jonathan Hyde, Bebe Neuwirth, David Alan Grier, Patricia Clarkson, Adam Hann-Byrd co-star, along with Laura Bundy, James Handy, Gillian Barber and Brandon Obray.

Chris Van Allsburg, Greg Taylor, Jim Strain and Jonathan Hensleigh base their seamless screenplay on Van Allsburg’s book.

It is shot by Thomas E Ackerman, produced by Scott Kroopf and William Teitler, scored by James Horner and designed by James D Bissell.

In 2016, a remake was announced, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017), with Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan. It was released in the US on 20 December 2017.

Tragically dear Robin Williams was found dead in his home in Tiburon, California, on Monday August 11 2014, aged 63. The cause of death is believed to be suicide via asphyxiation. He had been battling depression and recently entered 12-step rehab for drug abuse. He won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1997 for Good Will Hunting, and won two Emmys, four Golden Globes, five Grammys and two Screen Actors Guild Awards. Mrs Doubtfire (1993) is perhaps his most enduring character. He was gearing up to reprise his role in a sequel.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1539

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