Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

This re-imagining of the 1995 action comedy that starred Robin Williams delights in its own right, as four archetypal teenagers serving detention in the school’s storeroom discover a vintage video game and decide to play, each assuming an avatar. Brainiac nerd Spencer (Alex Wolff) picks Dr. Smolder Bravestone, football star Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) chooses zoologist Moose Finbar, and egocentric Bethany (Madison Iseman) opts for curvy cartographer Shelly Oberon, which leaves angry, uptight Martha (Morgan Turner) as Ruby Roundhouse. To their amazement, the quartet are suddenly grown up, inhabiting the bodies of their avatars. Insecure Spencer has become muscular Dwayne Johnson, Fridge turns into acerbic comedian Kevin Hart, beautiful Bethany is appalled when she discovers that she’s been transformed into pudgy Jack Black, and geeky Martha gets her groove on as rockin’ Lara Croft-like Karen Gillan. After adjusting to the unexpected body-swap, the team embarks on a quest to replace a green gemstone that was stolen from the eye of a giant jaguar statue. If they succeed, they can break the curse perpetrated by Dr. Bravestone’s smarmy former partner (Bobby Cannavale). Adapted from Chris Van Allsburg’s classic 1981 picture book, this spirited, fun-filled adventure is adroitly directed by Jake Kasdan. Recommended. (S. Granger)