Jumanji‘s 13-years-later sequel without any of the original cast was expected to be a hit, but it surprised pundits by just how big a hit it was, bringing in over $940 million worldwide. As it turns out, the combination of big-name actors, brand recognition, and…get this…an actual good movie, was pretty unstoppable. I didn’t catch it in theaters, but on Blu-ray it loses none of its charm as a movie; it’s smarter about video games than most video game-based movies, and its message of trying to embody the values of game heroes in your real life is one that kids and parents alike can appreciate (kids because it’s a good idea, parents because it provides a teachable moment). It’s to Jack Black’s credit that his prom queen-in-a-male-body never plays as transphobic, and to Dwayne Johnson’s that the most fabulously handsome and athletic man in the world is somehow able to play an insecure nerd transposed to a Rock-hard physique. Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart are playing more within their comfort zones, but no less capably, and Nick Jonas does a credible bit of self-deprecation as the less-publicized fifth member of the team who joins mid-adventure.
The Blu-ray extras are clearly aimed at younger viewers, but not too young–this isn’t one of those discs with interactive games. Rather, it feels like the extras are a gateway to creating burgeoning cinephiles. Most of the featurettes showcase interviews with the stars being funny, but they also surprise with some of their behind-the-scenes looks. That climactic motorcycle jump by Johnson was more real than you probably thought, and when the hippo pummels Jack Black in its mouth, the digital hippo may not have been tangibly on set, but Black was actually being thrown around on a harness in mid air.
Sony likely realized the family-skewing audience might not sit still for a full commentary track, which is a shame, as the lead actors are clearly funny together. However, there is enough good stuff in bite-sized featurettes that you don’t feel cheated on the humorous comment kick. Director Jake Kasdan, who resembles a permanently angry accountant and speaks in a dry deadpan not unlike a slightly deeper-voiced Rian Johnson, doesn’t appear able to display fun on his face, but is clearly having some. The full-on behind-the-scenes documentary is only 15 minutes, presumably so dad or mom can watch without a youngster saying “Can we change the channel yet?” too many times, and is hosted by Rhys Darby, still in character as the in-game guide Nigel. And an extra entitled “Book to Board Game to Big Screen and Beyond” offers almost nothing on the original book, but does call out all the specific references to the previous 1995 film and Robin Williams.
Though the movie is half-named after a Guns N’ Roses song, on the Blu-ray Jack Black and Nick Jonas duet in a hilariously cheesy music video for a newly proposed number entitled “Jumanji Jumanji.” Who knows if it will convert any fans of one to the other, but it makes the best possible use of both actors’ singing (and air guitar) talents. I’m game for them to attempt some GNR–they can’t do much worse than some of Chinese Democracy.
Other extras include a ton of trailers, mostly for Sony animation, including a weird one for Jumanji‘s own extras, urging viewers to “stay tuned after the movie,” as if this were still a special-edition VHS. In point of fact, the extras are sufficiently spoiler-filled that you’ll want to watch the movie first, but with such “modern” innovations as DVD menus, that’s obviously not a mandate.
One of the more unique bonuses I’ve ever encountered is the included coupon for a free Wayback burger, along with $2 off a kids meal at Hometown Buffet and affiliated chains, a 25% off code at Duluthpack.com (makers of Kevin Hart’s oversized backpack in the movie). There’s also a code for Facebook messenger that unlocks a text-based game via a bot, and, in what Sony is calling a first-of-its-kind experience, two Snapchat codes. Scan the one on the outside of the box (which you could conceivably do in the store without buying the disc) to unlock a VR jungle that you can browse around…
…and then the one inside the case unlocks a Jumanji game box (classic version) that appears in your camera. Tap it onscreen to make it open, and either Johnson and Hart or Gillan and Black will emerge and do a short scene.
Both apps also unlock a photo frame with the Jumanji logo and different jungle-style frame.
While these aren’t at the level yet where they’re something you’d buy the Blu-ray just to get, they’re fun distractions, and have the potential to lead to bigger applications later. As a middle-aged critic fond of physical media, I like all my extras on one disc, but if this is fun for the rest of the household, fine; the content isn’t crucial to me, but it amused my wife briefly (except the text-based game, which she didn’t see the point of).
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is available on Blu-ray starting today.
