Allan Watched "Jungle Cruise"
Plenty of fun when not getting in its own way, Jungle Cruise has moments of exhilaration and enough chemistry among its leading trio to overcome it’s dependance on CGI and overcomplicated storytelling, leaving a final product that is a worthy summer family movie.
Gut Feeling
There is a lot to enjoy in Jungle Cruise, particularly the first 30 minutes that both introduces us to our heroes and lets us enjoy exciting chases and escapes worthy of a Disney theme park. From there, however, the jokes, infighting, and danger feels very redundant. I feel like if the story didn’t overcomplicate itself this would be one of the better summer Disney films in a while, but there is a solid 45 minutes of Jungle Cruise that has you begging for the final push of the movie. In all, the film does stick the landing by paying off some early clues to the plot twist and it leads to an ending that is satisfying (even if the film was 30 minutes too long).
Undeniable Star Power
At a very basic level, any movie with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Jack Whitehall is going to be fun. Johnson is really terrific as Frank, the skipper of a Jungle Cruise boat that is hired by Dr. Lily Houghton (Blunt) and her brother MacGregor (Whitehall) to lead them to this mythical plant that can heal the world. Johnson’s physicality and humor makes him the perfect lead for an action-adventure movie like this, and he also nails the heart-felt moments that give this movie needed depth.
Johnson also does a great job taking turns between Blunt and Whitehall as their comedic foil, and his chemistry with Blunt in particular makes the film. Blunt gives the best performance of the movie, executing a character that is somewhere in between Indiana Jones and Mary Poppins, and mixes some great physical comedy with her dry wit to make her a hero that is very easy to cheer on.
As for Whitehall, a comedic actor with surgeon like precision that is soon to be a household name (he stars in the upcoming Clifford the Big Red Dog), he adds the needed third wheel for this adventure and provides a ton of laughs and meaningful plot changers. Add in Jesse Plemons as a German royal and Paul Giamatti as the evil harbor master as villains, and Jungle Cruise has enough to fill every scene with star power.
Repetition and CGI
Jungle Cruise’s flaws do hinder the overall experience, and makes it feel overproduced and too long. The overproduction starts with the abundance of CGI. I understand it is easier now to bring wildlife to the screen through animation than it is to use actual animals, but every scene is packed with wildlife and scenery that is distracting and overdone. The CGI also gives limitless options for adding twists and turns to the plot, when I think a simpler approach would have benefitted the film.
On top of the CGI-vomit in every scene is some painfully repetitive drama between Frank and Lily. Grievances that are far too small lead to multiple fights about the same thing: Can Frank be trusted? Lily says the line maybe 37 times. I wish it had less story fluff and CGI so I could say Jungle Cruise was a home run, but it just isn’t the case.
Random Thoughts
Plemons plays a really good generic German bad guy, one we have seen a million times, but still enjoyable.
I would watch an entire film that is just the Rock telling dad jokes over and over again.
Whitehall really plays the “fish out of water rich guy” very well, and he brings enough heart to the role to make you not hate him. We will see how he fairs next in that movie about the big dog who terrorizes NYC (out this Christmas Eve).
There is a great fart joke in the first five minutes. I blurt laughed.
This movie has WAY TO MANY SNAKES WTF.
The film is basically Indiana Jones meets National Treasure, except it isn’t quite at the level of either series.
Quick Hits:
How many times have I seen this movie?
First time!
Where was I watching it?
Saw it in theaters with my popping corn and large diet root beer. I started as the only person in the theater, but a young couple did come in 15 minutes into the movie and sat three seats away from me even though the place was empty. I was not pleased.
Favorite trivia about the movie
I legit forgot until the end that this was based off of the ride at Disney. No Pirates, but still a nice adaption of a ride.
Favorite part
Give me all of the dad jokes.
Least favorite part
Seriously, why are there so many freaking snakes?
Would I recommend this movie?
I would. It is a lot of fun despite its flaws, and if you feel comfortable being in a theater, I recommend seeing it on the big screen.
So What Does Allan Give It?
One thumbs up. Overall, a score of 67. Fun for the whole family and plenty of stellar Emily Blunt and the Rock moments to behold.
