Jumanji

Jumanji is a fantasy adventure film. It is based on the short story of the same name, written by Chris Van Allsburg who also wrote the book Zathura which was also dramatised. The film stars Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, a young Kirsten Dunst and Jonathan Hyde. The film has since inspired an animated TV series, a board game and an arcade game.

At the box office jumanji was a moderate success, however the critics were split. Despite this the film was a hit with audiences and has become even more popular after home video and DVD releases.

The on screen chemistry between Williams and Hunt is touching and it is easy to see that despite the unusual circumstances their relationship develops well. Both actors are talented and have great comic timing allowing them to play off each other which lightens the sometimes dangerous situations they find themselves in.

A young boy finds a board game that has been buried in the ground, he and a friend start to play. However, the game has magical qualities and the boy is ‘sucked’ into the game leaving his family bereft and his young friend mentally tainted. 26 years later the game is found by two children and they continue the game and are surprised to see a Crusoe type character appear out of the hole in the centre. This is the original boy and they team up with his old friend and attempt to finish the game and get their lives back to normal.

Cinema release 1996

Certificate PG

Available on DVD