JUNGLE CRUISE Review; "A Fun Family Blockbuster That Reminds Us Why We Love Going To The Movies"

JUNGLE CRUISE Review; "A Fun Family Blockbuster That Reminds Us Why We Love Going To The Movies"

Jungle Cruise arrives in theaters this Friday, but after those glowing social media reactions, what's our verdict on the latest Disney movie based on one of their iconic theme park rides? Find out here...

Review Opinion
By JoshWilding - Jul 27, 2021 09:07 AM EST
Filed Under: Disney

After a series of delays caused by the pandemic, Jungle Cruise is now set to arrive in theaters at perhaps the best possible time. We’re not referring to its chances of being a box office hit thanks to a prime summer slot (remember, it will also debut on Disney+’s Premier Access this Friday), but instead because it’s without a doubt the perfect reminder for families that there’s nothing like experiencing a movie together on the biggest screen possible. It’s impossible not to highly recommend Jungle Cruise, a swashbuckling adventure with heaps of laughs, action, and a surprising amount of heart. 

A love letter to the classic Disneyland theme park ride (Dwayne Johnson reels off a series of cringe-worthy, but somehow still hilarious, one-liners during an early part of the movie), the movie quickly manages to justify its existence as Pirates of the Caribbean did way back in 2003. With a solid premise and a cast you won’t be able to help but fall in love with, Jungle Cruise is a blast from start to finish. There are a few familiar ideas - an unlikely duo, or trio in this instance, working together to track down a magical MacGuffin - but more than enough new ones to ensure what we’re seeing never feels stale or too familiar. In a lot of ways, it feels like the movie is borrowing the best ideas from everything from Indiana Jones to The Mummy and even the aforementioned Pirates franchise, but director Jaume Collet-Serra deftly balances all of those to deliver a family-friendly adventure that, after a terrible eighteen months or so for the entire world, will leave you grinning from ear to ear; what a ride for families this summer looking to get back into theaters. 

If Jungle Cruise does ever hit rocky waters, it’s occasionally in terms of visual effects. While they’re very good for the vast majority of the movie, there are a few examples of green screen moments that look like green screen moments, while some of the animals, characters, and surroundings are short enough of being completely photorealistic that you might get occasionally distracted by them. It’s a minor niggle, and one the family-friendly audience that the movie is catered to aren’t likely to lose any sleep over. 
 


Where the movie does soar is with an ensemble who were clearly having as much fun on set as we were watching the movie. It goes without saying at this point that Johnson just oozes charisma on screen, and as Frank, the actor jumps from telling the sort of jokes that make you wince while riding the real Jungle Cruise to genuinely making you care about this skipper with ease. It’s a meaty performance and one that bodes well for what he and Collet-Serra are looking to deliver in Black Adam next year. Emily Blunt is similarly excellent; tough as nails, smart, and fiercely independent, she’s everything the female lead of an action blockbuster like this should be. Jack Whitehall, meanwhile, is also a pleasant surprise and while it’s too soon to establish whether he’s a one-trick pony given this is really his first major Hollywood role, he takes a character who could have easily been irritating and makes him a surprisingly layered, fun person to spend time with (that’s particularly the case in a touching scene with Johnson’s Frank).

Elsewhere, Édgar Ramírez and Paul Giamatti make the best of what prove to be relatively minor roles, but it’s Jesse Plemons as Prince Joachim who most often steals the show as a wonderfully over the top German who is looking to get his hands of the Tree of Life for his own sinister means. The actor has shown so much range in the projects he’s been part of up until now, but this one feels like him having the most fun. 

Ultimately, "fun" is the perfect way to describe Jungle Cruise. Funny, heartfelt, with lots of action, the movie is a joy to watch, and like Cruella, a great example of just how different and exciting Disney’s live-action movies can be outside the big Marvel and Star Wars IPs. Its biggest achievement may be how easily it gets us to care about these characters, but all these different elements falling into place is what makes this a ride you’ll want to take again and again. As Johnson, Blunt, and Whitehall are pursued through the jungle with Plemons’ wacky aristocrat in hot pursuit (in a submarine, of course), you’ll find it tough to sit back and not think, "Damn, I missed the movies." 

Jungle Cruise is a ride you won’t want to get off; with its charming three leads and a standout villain in Jesse Plemons, you’ll be all aboard (sorry) for a fun family blockbuster that reminds us why we love going to the movies. 

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KWilly
KWilly - 7/27/2021, 9:03 AM
Cap1
Cap1 - 7/27/2021, 9:06 AM
@KWilly - can’t fault the guy’s charisma but his incessant need to talk about this ‘new and challenging character’ on insta or whatever when the most character he’s done is an idiot in Central Intelligence is insanely irritating. Apologies for war n peace felt the need to vent
inkniron
inkniron - 7/27/2021, 9:04 AM
"A Fun Family Blockbuster That Reminds Us Why We Love Going To The Movies"

Thanks, I'll make sure to check it out on D+
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 7/27/2021, 9:10 AM
I'm leaning more towards "Reminds us of when we used to waste money at the movies".
Itwasme
Itwasme - 7/27/2021, 9:14 AM
So far critics seem to be favorably comparing this to the first Pirates film, which sounds pretty good to me. Not a lot of great adventure films out there.
inkniron
inkniron - 7/27/2021, 9:17 AM
Jack Whitehall is far from a one trick pony. Are you sure you aren't confusing him with The Rock?

Anyway, he can have a smugness and dickishness to him that could make a great Reed Richards. I wouldn't be disappointed at all if they went that route.
Menks123
Menks123 - 7/27/2021, 9:20 AM
I want to see it because it looks like a fun ass adventure film. I like the two leads so it should be enjoyable!

Also read a lot of reviews that it felt like the first Pirates of the Caribbean movie and that got me excited.
Menks123
Menks123 - 7/27/2021, 9:21 AM
But i'll wait for it to come out on D+ for free
TheShellyMan
TheShellyMan - 7/27/2021, 9:24 AM
Oh wow! I'm sure this movie will take the #1 spot this weekend easily.
WakandanQueen
WakandanQueen - 7/27/2021, 9:25 AM
sorry I got other plans this weekend
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 7/27/2021, 9:29 AM
Looks like a fun watch from the trailers. Glad to hear it's more in line with the early Pirates of The Caribbean films when it comes to enjoyment.
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