Jumanji
Tags: psychedelic, fantasy

Plot synopsis:
The film begins in 1869 in the town of Brantford, New Hampshire. Two boys are seen breathlessly running with a box, which they proceed to bury in the woods.The film then cuts to a century later in Brantford. A young boy named Alan Parrish is chased by a gang of bullies and seeks refuge in his father's shoe factory. Alan encounters one of his father's employees named Carl, who has created a prototype sneaker which he feels is the future of Parrish Shoes. Alan carelessly places the prototype on a conveyor belt as he is discovered by his father. Sam Parrish chastises his son for being bullied and claims that Alan needs to stand up for himself. As Alan leaves a grinding noise is heard from one of the factory's machines. The conveyor belt upon which Alan placed the prototype sent the shoe into the machine, damaging the machine along with Carl's prototype. Sam demands to know who is responsible for the incident, and Carl takes the blame for Alan.Outside the factory, Alan is accosted by the bullies. One of them demands that Alan stay away from his girlfriend. Alan claims that he and the bully's girlfriend are 'just friends,' but this just leads to them beating up Alan and taking his bike. As Alan recovers, a strange drum beat catches his ear, and he is drawn to a construction site. Wedged in a section of ground is the box the two boys had buried a century before. Alan pulls it out, opens it up, and finds a wooden board game inside named, 'Jumanji.'That evening, Alan's parents are going out to an event. Alan's mother has told his father that there are multiple bullies and Alan's father tells Alan that he is proud of him for standing up to them as he did. However, Alan's face soon falls when his father proclaims they are sending him to a boarding school for boys. Alan grows indignant at being forced into doing something he doesn't want to do and he and his father part ways for the night in anger. Once Alan's parents leave, he attempts to pack a suitcase and run away from home.As Alan is about to walk out the front door, a knock is heard and he opens the door to find Sarah Whittle (the bully's girlfriend), who has come to return Alan's bike. The drum sounds are heard again and lead the two to the Jumanji board game. Alan sets the game up for the two of them to play but Sarah claims she's too old for board games and playfully throws down the dice. After she does so, a piece on the board moves on its own, and strange sounds are heard from the fireplace. Sarah becomes scared and tells Alan to not take his turn. Ignoring her, he rolls the dice and receives the following message: "In the jungle you must wait, until the dice read five or eight."Sarah recoils in horror as Alan is literally sucked into the game, following which scores of large bats swarm down the chimney and out through the fireplace. Sarah runs screaming from the house, slamming the door behind her.Twenty-six years later, Nora Shepherd moves into the now-vacant Parrish mansion with her niece and nephew, Judy and Peter. The children have been entrusted into Nora's care since their parents were killed while on a skiing trip. Judy has developed a penchant for concocting ridiculous lies while Peter has coped by becoming quiet and withdrawn.Judy and Peter explore the house and soon make their way to the attic, where they are spooked by a bat. This brings an exterminator to inspect the house but nothing else turns up. When Judy is shown pictures of various bats, she points out a picture of an African fruit bat. The exterminator says that a girl in the 60's claimed to have seen the same kind of bat. Before he leaves, the exterminator tells the kids a story that he believes the owner of the house murdered his son Alan, dismembered his body and hid the remains in the walls of the mansion.The next day, while Nora is out, Peter and Judy hear the tribal drum sounds, and come across the Jumanji board game in the attic. Opening it up, two game pieces magically lock into place for them. The first roll of the dice by Judy spawns giant mosquitos, which soon fly out an open window in the attic. Peter rolls snake-eyes, which unleashes a horde of crazed monkeys in the kitchen. It is after this that Judy reads a message on the game board which states that everything will revert to normal once the game is finished. As Peter has rolled 'doubles,' he takes another turn. Peter rolls a '5,' and the two are soon shocked to find a lion in their house. Their shock soon doubles when Alan appears, now a forty-year-old man in jungle garb. Alan corrals the lion in a bedroom before thanking Judy and Peter for freeing him. When Alan asks where his parents are, Judy informs him that it is 1995 and that she, Peter and their Aunt Nora are the new owners of the house.Alan rushes outside, where he encounters Carl in a police cruiser. While Carl demands to know who Alan is, the monkeys from the kitchen hijack Carl's car and drive off in it, with Carl running behind in pursuit. Alan then rushes off, intent to find his family. Alan soon finds the Parrish Shoe Factory has been shuttered. Entering the factory, Alan comes across a homeless man who tells the group that after Alan went missing, Sam used all his time, energy and wealth to find him. When Alan asks to know where the two elder Parish's are, the homeless man directs Alan to the nearby cemetery.After visiting his parents' graves, Alan and the kids return to the mansion, where the kids attempt to get Alan to help them finish the game. However, they soon find that the game has to be played in the order of who is next. As Alan was the second person to roll the dice, followed by Judy and Peter, that means that Sarah has to roll the dice for the game to advance.Unsure where to go, the three go to the house where Sarah lived as a girl only to find psychic living there. They ask the psychic for help finding Sarah, only to find the psychic IS Sarah. After Sarah faints at the sight of Alan, Alan and the kids take her back to the mansion. Upon seeing the game board Sarah freaks out, claiming that what she 'thought' she saw (Alan being sucked into the game) was a hallucination, and that Alan's father had killed him and dismembered his body, hiding it in the walls of the mansion.Alan manages to trick Sarah into taking her turn, which unleashes a number of carnivorous plants. The group then retreats to another part of the house, where Alan takes his turn. Alan's turn summons the game's most deadly aspect--a big-game hunter from the game named Van Pelt, who has been chasing Alan for some time within the game of Jumanji. It is only when Van Pelt runs out of ammunition does he give up, going off to get more.We can tell that Jumanji has created Van Pelt by patterning him after Alan's father, Sam Parrish. He seems only interesting in hunting Alan to death and screams at him for being "a sniveling, yellow coward" for not facing Van Pelt and his gun. Once again, an exaggerated nightmare conjuring of Sam Parrish.The group next goes to the library in the mansion, where Judy's turn results in a massive stampede of animals bursting forth from the bookcase behind them. In the ensuing chaos, a large white pelican grabs the game in its beak and flies off. Alan chases after it, with the group in tow.Alan finds the pelican by a river, catches a fish and tosses it to the bird, causing it to knock the game into the river. Peter manages to retrieve the game and everyone returns to the house. However, Carl appears and takes Alan away. Once Alan is gone, Peter reveals that he has attempted to cheat by attempting to drop the dice so that he would get the number he needed to reach the end. As a result, Peter begins to morph into a monkey.In the police cruiser, Alan finally tells Carl who he is and Carl attempts to get Alan back to Judy, Peter and Sarah.Meanwhile, the three have been found again by Van Pelt (now having acquired a high-powered assault rifle). The chase leads the group into the heart of the town where the animal stampede almost kills Peter. Van Pelt finds Peter trapped in a crushed car and wrestles the game away from him, then heads for a discount store. Van Pelt intends to trap Sarah and use her as bait along with the game to lure Alan to him. Alan and Carl eventually do find them at the store. Carl's vehicle crashes through the front of the store, burying Van Pelt in an avalanche of paint cans.The group returns to the house, only to find the carnivorous plants have taken over the interior. The next turn causes a monsoon to flood the main floor of the house and the group to be chased by a large crocodile. Everyone heads for the attic, where Sarah takes her turn, and the floor turns to quicksand, almost swallowing Alan. Judy rolls the dice, freezing the floor, saving Alan from being swallowed up by the floor. Peter rolls next and some large spiders suddenly appear. Judy attempts to fight them off, but accidentally finds one of the plants, which shoots her with a poisonous barb.Sarah takes her turn, resulting in an earthquake that splits the Parrish house in two. Alan is freed and falls through the floor, along with the game. Alan manages to recover the game and is about to take his turn when Van Pelt appears. Alan drops the dice. Van Pelt encourages Alan to run, but Alan declares that he won't run anymore and will face his fears. As he says this, the dice finish their roll and Alan's piece reaches the center of the board. Van Pelt asks Alan for his last words. After Alan calls out the name of the game, all the creatures and animals are sucked back into the game (including Van Pelt himself), as Alan and Sarah embrace each other and close their eyes.When they open them again, they find themselves back in the parlor of Alan's house in 1969. A sound is heard nearby as Sam Parrish returns to get a forgotten speech. Alan quickly rushes to hug his father and apologizes for what he said before his father left. Sam apologizes as well and decides not to send him away. He also takes responsibility for Carl's prototype sneaker becoming lodged in the factory machine.After Sam leaves, Alan panics about Judy and Peter. Sarah reminds him that they don't yet exist. The two then take the game, weight it down, and toss it into a nearby river. Sarah then tells Alan that it feels like the memories of their adventure are waning and decides to kiss him for the bravery he showed.The epilogue of the film returns us to the year 1995. Alan and Sarah have married and are expecting their first child. A Christmas party is being held at the Parrish mansion, and Alan is speaking by phone to his father as he and Alan's mother are away on a vacation. Carl is present at the party. Alan and Sarah have also invited Judy and Peter and their parents to the party (though the kids have no idea of the previous adventures). Alan and Sarah are eager to provide Judy and Peter's father with an advertising position with the Parrish Shoe company. However both of the parents feel they should wait to accept until after they take a planned skiing trip in the Canadian Rockies. Alan and Sarah, in unison, shriek, "NO!"The film ends with a pair of French girls walking along a beach, wondering about a strange drum beat they both hear. Buried in the sand several yards in front of them is the Jumanji board game, preparing to claim its next players.

Review: After finding her, they must hurry before the town they live in is destroyed and before they all die!Jumanji is great family film, packed with - at the time - great graphics (that now look like a computer game).
The acting was great, and Robin Williams is perfect for the role of Alan Parrish, and Bonnie Hunt and him had good chemistry.
Kirsten Dunst in this film was further shaping her acting career, to appear in such films now like 'Spider-Man' and the teen movie 'Bring It On.' I honestly forget the name of the kid who plays Judy's brother Peter, but he was okay.
I've probably viewed this movie as much as any, simply because it was so entertaining.Robin Williams, David Alan Grier and the two kids, Kristen Dunst and Bradley Pierce, were all great people to watch and share this adventure with.
It's a great family film that will make you feel good and have fun with.Robin Williams plays Alan, a boy who when he was little and had a horrible fight with his father plays a game with his friend, Sarah, and the game happens to be cursed causing Alan to get sucked into the game until someone else plays it.
When a new family moves in, Judy and Peter and their Aunt Nora, they find the game and start playing and release Alan who has just survived decades in a jungle.
Finding the grown girl to complete the group, the four must complete the game before their town is destroyed by the stampeding rhinos, killer pod vines and crazed Great White Hunter.Robin has some good moments in this film, though he isn't allowed to riff as much as in other vehicles.
He's supported by an excellent cast, including a young Kirsten Dunst as the sister of the new pair of children; Jonathan Hyde as both the 1969 father and Van Pelt, the Great White Hunter from the game; and Bebe Neuwirth as the modern children's aunt.
You know the drill: young Alan Parrish gets sucked into a board game called Jumanji, returns when a brother and sister are playing 26 years later, and has to battle the animals that wreak havoc on the town.
With good support from Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, David Alan Grier, Bebe Neuwirth, Jonathan Hyde and Patricia Clarkson, this is a pretty interesting movie.
I will admit that the monkeys looked pretty fake, but we can't dwell on that in this movie; the point is to enjoy oneself while watching it.Oh and one more thing: from "Jumanji", I learned the difference between alligators and crocodiles..
The acting by a young Kirsten Dunst and comedic Robin Williams and the rest of the cast is very well done.This is a great movie and if you have children between the ages of 7 to 13 I would bet they'd like it too..
The plot heightens the intensity of the jungle by bringing a board game to actual life, with really good special effects for a 90's film.
Looking back at the movie, however, even as a young adult, I still love this film as much as anyone else even though the picture book itself is rather good.There are two flaws that prevented me from giving this an even higher rating.
The villain, Van Pelt, is great and Jonathan Hyde, who also plays Alan's father, Sam Parrish, played his role perfectly with a sinister tone to him.What I liked the most about the movie, however, is the music score from James Horner.
It also had some nice action moments that never fails to take ever single inch of my breath away and they fitted perfectly to the overall darker tone of the film.Overall, Jumanji isn't exactly the best movie ever made, but it's completely underrated despite the mixed reception it had upon it's first release.
In 1969, in a small town in New Hampshire, a twelve-year-old boy named Alan Parrish finds a Victorian-era board game called "Jumanji", and starts to play it with his friend Sarah.
Just as deadly is a white hunter named Van Pelt who will take pot-shots at anything that moves, animal or human.The big-name star in this film is Robin Williams, although it also features a young Kirsten Dunst, later to become a big name herself.
This isn't Williams' best role- I generally prefer him in his more serious films like "Dead Poet's Society" or "Good Morning, Vietnam"- but it's a lot better than many of his comedies, which can descend into either silliness or sentimentality.This is the sort of family film that offers something to entertain the adults as well as the children, and has some underlying serious themes.
The movie has great cast, good acting, great special effects for its time, and an original, well told story.
The premise, a game that produces real consequences (like a stampede of wild African animals, or a floor that turns into quicksand), is a fun way to introduce several exciting--sometimes hysterical, sometimes terrifying--circumstances for Robin Williams and the rest of the cast to have fun with, and fun it is, like a roller coaster at Six Flags.But in a way this film is also about growing up; about learning how to fit in, how to be responsible for yourself, and above all how perseverance can win the day.
All the actors (Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst and David Allan Grier) give great performances and their characters are all endearing.In fact, this is one of the movies I would never get tired of re-watching, because it's so entertaining and funny.
It's actually the energetic way that the film is directed that saves the film slightly as in lesser hands it probably would be a complete disaster.Williams was always good value to watch and puts in another fun turn here; although in the moment when he's released from the board game he comes dangerously close to 'overacting' but just about gets away with it I think.
Williams is nicely supported by a young Kirsten Dunst and the likes of Bonnie Hunt, David Alan Grier and Bradley Pierce are also OK in support.There are some problems with this picture such as a weak narrative and poor special effects and I also felt that the effects side of the production was more important to those concerned than the actual story creating a style over substance effect - although the film is geared more towards kids so perhaps this was intentional.
I also found the film to be a little contrived; Alan needs to find his old friend in order to finish the board game and despite 26 years passing she's conveniently living in the same house she grew up in as a child.
The fact that Robin Williams starred made the film better, as Robin was a huge draw to family films of that era.Who ever knew that Jumanji would have a cult following or that it would spawn an actual board game (nothing comes to life), and eventually a sequel in 2017.
One of the most memorable acting performances of the film was Jonathan Hyde as Sam Parrish (Alan's dad) and his dual role as Van Pelt (the hunter from Jumanji).In the end, it was a great film, probably felt more now by some since the passing of Robin Williams.
26 years later, Judy and Peter Shepherd (Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce), two orphaned kids living with their aunt, discover the game in the attic of their new home and begin to play, freeing the now-grown-up Alan (Robin Williams) in the process.
Their only hope of survival is to finish the game, whatever the risks.Action packed, funny, heartwarming and even a little scary in places, Jumanji is an excellent family adventure for the whole family, and one that, thankfully, doesn't rely solely on its special effects to impress (a good job, since quite a bit of the CGI is looking rather dated).
The story is engaging (with a nice time-travel style twist at the end), the cast is great (with Williams managing to give one of his less irritating performances), and once again director Joe Johnston delivers a final product that, whilst not a classic, is still thoroughly entertaining from start to finish.7.5 out of 10, rounded up to 8 for IMDb..
Alan (Robin Williams) and Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) will have to play some more if there lives are return to normality.The concept of the movie is truly original and it successfully delivers on its potential, with an excellent cast and funny script, this adventure is both hilarious and action packed, with some cool special effects thrown in.Great family entertainment 8/10.
It's just in-between that things go a little bit different...What was just a little game meeting transforms into a special effects extravaganza, filled with all sorts of creatures and eye-catching action scenes and stunts that seem to be borrowed from the best moments of the Indiana Jones adventures.The computerized special FX are the main aspects of the movie and they mostly succeed to their task.
Roll 1 for talented Robin Williams starring in yet another saccharine role that is completely beneath him.Roll a 2 for ropy CGI effects that wouldn't even fool Stevie Wonder.Roll a 3 for screamy shouty kids with clichéd "disfunctional" background.Roll a 4 for charmless predictability, nauseating incidental music and unimaginative direction.Roll a 5 - you've landed on the only inspired moment in the whole film - the CGI monkeys watching The Wizard of Oz and then trying to fly.
I will always enjoy Robin Williams in movies (RIP) and I also like Kristen Dunst because of Spider-Man. If you look at Jumanji in a critical standpoint, it's not good but it's great if you just want to be purely entertained..
i have t say,this movie started out pretty slow,and i thought it was gonna be a dud.i'm glad i kept watching.it turned into a pretty good movie.if you're into action and adventure,you'll certainly find it in abundance here.there are some great action sequences,providing scads of excitement.but there are also a lot of very funny moments,and there's even a hint or 2 of romance.there are some fantastic creatures here.the only downside i can think of is the visual effects.i found them kinda cheesy,and sometimes they didn't quite look real.the creatures sometimes looked a bit wonky,but other times were pretty realistic.but that's a small downside,since the movie is so much fun.Robin Williams is the featured performer here,but i thought Bonnie Hunt was terrific.Bebe Neuwirth was very good as well.but David Alan Grier was a riot.Kirsten Dunst was good too.overall, this is a good movie for both kids and adults.for me,Jumani is a 7/10.
Either way, it is a nice set-up, starting in the 1800's as two young kids bury the game in hopes to rid the world of it, only to be found again by Alan Parrish in 1969, transporting him into the jungle world for 26 years until two new children stumble upon its drumming.Special effects are a very interesting thing.
I think they should have used real monkeys here.Certain parts of the dialogue are a little corny and make one feel as though we're watching "Spy Kids", which can sometimes really ruin the feel that they're in a life-or-death situation.The acting was great (some parts it was not), and as usual, Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst put on an above-average performance.The action and crashes and other sequences are a contradiction, in a way.
Of which Alan is sucked into the game until 26 years later when Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter Shepherd (Bradley Pierce) rediscover the game and start what begun those years ago.There they meet adult Alan Parrish (Robin Williams) and Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) who join them in finishing the game.
Set in 1995, the film follows a young boy named Peter Shepard (played by Bradley Pierce) and his sister Judy (played by Kirsten Dunst) who discover a mysterious game in the attic of the home 12-year old Alan Parrish (played by Adam-Hann Byrd) disappeared in twenty-six years ago.
Upon rolling the dice, Peter and Judy unexpectedly release a thirty-something year old Alan (played by Robin Williams) who reveals to have disappeared into the game.
Despite the lack of authenticity perpetrated by these subpar effects, the film luckily manages to stay fun and charming, especially by the comedic charm of Robin Williams who swarms in the movie with livelihood and humility as well as the rest of the cast including Bradley Pierce, Kirsten Dunst, and Bonnie Hunt.
Young orphans Peter and Judy (Kirsten Dunst & Bradley Pierce) are moving into his old family home, so fate (and those damn creepy drums) would have them find the Jumanji in the attic, and continue the game Alan started with Sarah (Bonnie Hunt) over a decade ago.
Jumanji like Ghost , I surprised myself with the note in Metascore , very low, only 39 ?, the film is very fun , obviously in terms of the film script is weak , plus the cast is good, great Robin Williams as always Kristen Dunst young , and also participation as a police officer David Alan Grier , and his scenes are funny, the special effects at the time are acceptable , plus some people may not like , since the film is not as present (one of the big reasons because I support the remake will have Dwayne Johnson , Kevin Hart and Jack Black) , has good fun characters , some are boring , have really nice moments , and the end of the film hinted that would have a continuation , Jumanji is a good movie , is an excellent pass time , where we see Robin Williams do what do best , take the viewer smiles .
Jumanji is directed by Joe Johnston and is the story of two children (Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce) that find a magical board game that unleashes animals and magic upon them, and they have to play until someone wins.
Alan and the kids must find Sarah and complete the game so that everything can go back to normal, and they can continue to live their lives.Jumanji is an amazing film, if you're a child.
Any shots with practical effects look great, very much unlike the CGI.The best thing that this film has to offer is the emotional conflict with Robin Williams' character, specifically the connection between him and his father.
It's an entertaining film that boasts a fun and unique storyline that the kids will certainly enjoy, even if the effects are outdated, and the performances can be appreciated by all ages, Robin Williams delivers a very dedicated performance, which shows how great of an actor he really is, he easily could have phoned it in for a film like this, but he refused, his scenes with Bonnie Hunt are the films highlight, their chemistry is outstanding and brought this film from a six to a seven for me.
It's jam packed with flaws and kids will certainly enjoy it more than adults, but Jumangi still has this irresistible thing about it that makes it a lot of fun to watch, and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good family film, for Robin Williams alone, it's worth the watch.
Kirsten Dunst, does a great job as his love interest and former playmate.Other roles by David Alan Grier, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde and Bebe Neuwirth fill out the cast nicely along with the child actors who play Peter & Judy and the young Alan & Sarah.Jumangi was one of the better, more successful films to come out of TriStar..
It's an enjoyable family-entertainment fantasy adventure with Williams playing a grown man who as a boy was sucked into a mysterious, dark board game called Jumanji, freed years later by a couple of young children who happen upon the game when they move into Williams's character by this time run-down house.
Robin Williams is always fun to watch and he was very popular at the time, due to movies like "Aladdin" and "Mrs Doubtfire" and Kristen Dunst was a real talent as a young actress, none of the annoying traits of usual child actors.
Alan Parrish (Robin Williams), Judy Shepherd (Kirsten Dunst), Peter Shepherd (Bradley Pierce) and Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt) are the four main characters playing and trying to finish the game, but as each of their turn passes, new dangers are released from the game.
Add in some nice acting work from Robin Williams and Kirsten Dunst, some rather creative action scenes and an antagonist in the form of a great white hunter Van Pelt (Jonathan Hyde) and you have a movie that will surely stick to you mind.
Well the Jumanji is just a great movie which shows how life is filled with luck and chances...The concept of game of dice is so good and the movie will be a bit of thriller too because we will be curious what may come next when they roll the dice each time....Williams did his Alan character well, i almost felt like crying when Alan came to know that his family is no more....The only backdrop of the movie is the monkey.
They start playing the game without a clue, just like Alan and Sarah did, and dangerous animals begin to come out of it!
Last night, May 2,2003  this movie was on again........no matter what other show we might be browsing at the time, we invariably start watching Jumanji,,,,,,we enjoy the hilarity and antics of all the characters,  it's done for shear  fun and entertainment, and we don't care if the special effects may be outdated,  we still consider it one of the best!
The story centers on 12-year-old Alan Parrish, who becomes trapped in a board game while playing with his best friend Sarah Whittle in 1969.
Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde and the kid's the only good part about this movie, everything else not so much..