The Jungle Cruise Review

A Triumph!

The short read

A magnificent triumph of a family adventure film, fast paced, stella performances, and rewarding fun throughout. It’s been compared to Indiana Jones, and rightly so but with a modern Disney vibe that shines throughout. Scary in small measure, it delivers above its weight.

The long read

Readers will know I love film. I watch many of them. Some of them I write reviews about. To qualify to join my review list, the film must have pernash, that special something that draws you in and delivers on its promise. The Jungle Cruise does not disappoint, I left this theatre smiling, and inspired. So let me tell you why.

The Jungle Cruise is a triumph, a today harah to the adventure movies of the eighties. Comparisons to the Indiana Jones movies are well founded. As are comparisons to the Pirates of Caribbean films. The Jungle Cruise draws the viewer in like a veil and immerses you in its world so slightly different to our own. Disbelief can be suspended. You are in safe hands.

The plot is a magnificent adventure, one worth investment and rewarding to those who journey down its winding paths. The film blasts along at a tremendous pace, every scene filled with layers of action, emotion, storytelling and character development. A joy at every turn and never slowing, not even for a second. It is no mean feat to achieve.

A family adventure filled with mild comic moments, self deprecating humour at its own absurdity, and laugh out loud fun. This viewer enjoyed every moment of it, two and a bit hours flying by in a blur of spectacle, humour, and emotional reward.

The film draws on the modern Disney vibe to its benefit, and the viewer will appreciate the care put into every ounce of it. The production is mighty beyond its promise.

The cast are all superb. Emily Blunt shines yet again, totally beguiling as Lily Houghton, the hero of the story. If rumours of her joining the marvel universe are true, this film shows all marvel cinematic universe fans should rejoice at the prospect. Once considered for Black Widow, it would be fitting she now joins the biggest film party in all of history. She is an action hero here, totally adept at stealing the scenes she’s in, filling every moment with emotion, effortless charm and action skill. Having enjoyed Emily in the Quiet Place, taking on the role of Mary Poppins, and in The Edge of Tomorrow I expected her to be great, but her mastery of the action hero is truly impressive here.

Dwayne Johnson is equally as enthralling as Frank and Jack Whitehall as McGregor. All ably supported by Jessie Plemons, Edgar Ramirez and Paul Giamatti. As we are discovering with each new Johnson project he brings real casts of true quality together. The best bits of Skyscraper, Rampage and Hobbs and Shaw were the teams brought together, cast and crew, to produce spectacles of quality. The Jungle Cruise is a polished article that surpasses them all.

Johnson is terrific as Frank, the layers peel slowly as the film progresses, and I for one was truly rooting for Frank towards the end. Both to become the person he could be and to achieve what Lily wanted. The character progression over the film provides the real story and the real antagonist for the character of Lily to play against. It’s a dynamic that really pays off, a creative success the film is built around, and a joy for the audience.

Jack Whitehall impressed me here, he plays his role with great ability and at times subtlety.

Kid friendly? The film has some adult themes, some threat, lots of violence without blood letting, some creatures that would cause nightmares for young ones. In the US it’s rated PG-13 and in the UK 12A. This is one for the older siblings in my view.

Conclusion

Give me The Jungle Cruise 2. I loved the film, and highly recommend it. Can’t wait to see what Dwayne Johnson brings us next as Black Adam. If he’s performed half the success in pulling a great team together that he has achieved here, we are in for a superhero movie treat.

As any long term reader knows, I love a superhero treat