‘Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle’ Review Roundup: Sequel Serves Up Mixed Opinions

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” the sequel to the 1995 film starring the late Robin Williams, is now out in theaters and critics have a lot to say about it. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and Karen Gillan teamed up for the new flick, which now features the Jumanji board game as a video game instead, but while some reviewers think the star power is just the icing on the cake, others don’t even think the big names save the movie.

Here’s what critics are saying about “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.”

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

“‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,’ a sequel no one asked for to the 1995 Robin Williams original as well as the animated TV series, has enough star power and comic zest to deliver a fun time at the movies. OK, just barely, but we’ll take what we can get.

“This updated ‘Jumanji’ can’t outrun the clichés on its tail, but its puppy-eagerness to please is hard to resist.”

Collider - Matt Goldberg

“Although the action sequences are a bit rote and it always feels like the movie could go further with its satire of video games, the film succeeds thanks to its outstanding cast who have excellent comedic chemistry. Although the story proceeds pretty much how you expect, ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ shows there’s definitely life still left in ‘Jumanji.’”

Insider - Kim Renfro

“You can tell throughout this movie that The Rock and his co-stars had a blast filming it. There’s decent action, some funny gags, and a surprising amount of heart at the story’s core. ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ is ultimately a testament to friendship, support, and finding confidence in your own strengths and weaknesses.”

New York Post - Johnny Oleksinski

“Instead of wasting your time and cash, give the original film a second glance. That movie is a reminder that making a solid adventure flick involves more than simply slapping some likable celebs and a well-known brand together. Do that and you’ll end up with this, the scourge of the jungle.”

Chicago Tribune - Lindsey Bahr

“The result, ‘Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,’ is a very sweet, and generally entertaining body swap lark with some nice messages about being, and believing in, yourself.

“How can you argue with a bunch of movie stars acting goofy and hawking a ‘believe in yourself’ message? There are some odd beats and choices, especially around Gillan’s Martha, who is costumed in nearly nothing (surely as a send up of what female characters usually wear in video games, but however meta it might have been intended to be, it is still literally her costume). There’s also a plot line that hinges on her learning how to flirt from Bethany (because they all decide that flirting with the bad guy security guards is the only way they can get past them). Maybe it’s all in good fun, or maybe one of the four credited screenwriters could have been a woman.”

“Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is now out in theaters.