Product: Jumanji [VHS] (1995)
Rating: 4.0
Welcome to the Jungle
Screen favorite Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire) faces bigger-than-life jungle dangers in the entertaining 1995 fantasy adventure "Jumanji". In 1969, young Alan Parrish finds a mysterious jungle-themed board game and is magically vanished to the incredible jungle world of Jumanji. 26 years later, two unsuspected children (Kirsten Dunst & Bradley Pierce) freed the now adult Alan Parrish (Williams) and unleash the rampaging beasts and fierce dangers of Jumanji upon their quiet New England town. Based on the best-selling children's book, "Jumanji" is an exciting fast-paced fantasy adventure for the whole family. Director Joe Johnston effectively combines elements of adventure, fantasy and humor for an enchanting movie spectacle. Its clever storyline and appealing characters are certainly amusing. The blockbuster fantasy adventure contains some great special effects and thrilling moments but a few visual effects weren't quite polished. The cast also includes Bonnie Hunt, Bebe Neuwirth, Jonathan Hyde and David Alan Grier."Jumanji" Collector Edition is a vast improvement over the previous bare-bones edition. The 1995 smash hit is presented in 1.85:1 anamorphic widescreen format. The DVD has an impressive video transfer with great sharpness and nice detailed colors. Its clear Dolby Digital 5.1 sound delivers some dynamic surround effects. The Collector Series DVD features the 20-minute "Making of Jumanji" documentary and "Lion and Tigers and Pods, Oh My" and "Bringing Down the House" featurettes that take a behind-the-scenes look at special effects and production of the film. Other DVD extras include three storyboards, photo galleries, theatrical trailers and an informative audio commentary with FX supervisor Ken Ralston. The interactive menus look pretty good. Overall, "Jumanji" Collector's Series earns a "B".