Review: Jumanji

I reviewed the much belated sequel a month or so back and thought it was time to put my faded memories to the test by giving the original, Jumanji a spin.

At least some of my memories were right. This is a movie which is perhaps a transitional moment for special effects and features an obvious blend of early CGI and practical effects.

On the practical side, the lion is decent enough - but requires some suspension of belief.  Similarly, the stampede is fairly convincingly realised. Oh, the monkeys though... Amusing antics aside, these have not dated well at all.

The story a hugely imaginative one, and the realisation of what had happened to Williams' character a bit of a head spinner. Dunst, here in a very early part, is good as is Pierce.   Williams is slightly muted, but well suited to the part of unsocialised man-boy.

It's not a classic, but it does come close and I can imagine that if you were the right age, you'd have a lot of nostalgia for it.

Verdict: Fun 90s retromania.