--- title: "Jumanji: The Next Level: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/jumanji-the-next-level/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/jumanji-the-next-level" critics_score: 58 critics_reviews: 27 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Jumanji: The Next Level (2019): what the critics said Critics' score 58 from 27 reviews: 10 positive, 10 mixed, 7 negative. The consensus on Jumanji: The Next Level is mixed, with praise clustering around the cast’s body-swapping comedy rather than the adventure itself. The reviews repeatedly single out Kevin Hart’s measured Danny Glover impression, while the ensemble’s chemistry and mismatched avatars provide much of the reported enjoyment. Even several less enthusiastic critics find the performances funny. Supporters see enough invention in the character switches to make a familiar sequel worthwhile. The disagreement is over how far those laughs compensate for a recycled plot, uneven jokes and crowded storytelling. The spread is wide: the Evening Standard finds a thoughtfully judged family film, while Slant Magazine sees little reason for the characters to return and finds the action chaotic. Dwayne Johnson’s Danny DeVito impression divides opinion too: Total Film praises it, but The Ringer rejects it even while enjoying the adventure. Across the reviews, freshness is the recurring concern. ## Evening Standard — David Sexton Rating 4/5. 13 December 2019. Sexton calls the sequel a funny, diverting, thoughtfully judged extension that works as a family film. He particularly praises the humor of the characters’ scrambled avatar transformations and Dwayne Johnson’s comic performance. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/jumanji-the-next-level-review-follow-dwayne-johnson-and-co-into-a-great-game-for-all-the-family-a4312806.html) ## Time Out — Olly Richards Rating 4/5. 9 December 2019. The critic finds this sequel an enjoyable second helping of avatar-based giddiness. They praise the plot’s weird and wonderful twists. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/jumanji-the-next-level) ## Empire — Ben Travis Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2019. The review finds the sequel a worthy, laugh-filled expansion, despite its rough edges and weaker action-adventure elements. It especially praises Awkwafina’s comic performance and the increasingly ridiculous body-swapping comedy. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/jumanji-the-next-level/) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 15 December 2019. Kermode finds the sequel upbeat and lively, though its bawdy jokes and baggy third act falter. He particularly praises the comic character performances and the film’s energetic, inventive body-swapping. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2019/dec/15/jumanji-the-next-level-review-dwayne-johnson-danny-devito-danny-glover) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2019. Debruge finds the sequel an entertaining, inventive continuation, though its storytelling can be sloppy. He praises the cast’s collective charisma and the fun of watching actors inhabit mismatched avatars. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2019/film/reviews/jumanji-the-next-level-film-review-1203431347/) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be read, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint can be identified from the accessible content. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/jumanji-the-next-level-movie-review-2019) ## IndieWire — Kate Erbland Rating C+. 10 December 2019. Erbland calls the sequel a fitting, funny follow-up that is less original but earns another round. She praises Kevin Hart’s performance as Danny Glover’s character, while criticizing the crowded cast and some cheap jokes about race and gender identity. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/movies/jumanji-the-next-level-review-1202195895/) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 3/5. Luxford finds the sequel offers more of what fans liked in the previous film, though it largely repeats its plot. She singles out the cast’s fresh twists on their characters as the source of novelty. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-lkygz2/jumanji-the-next-level/) ## The i Paper — Demetrios Matheou Rating ★★★. 12 December 2019. Matheou finds the sequel inventive and entertaining, though it lacks some of the original’s freshness. He praises the comic avatar-swapping performances, especially Dwayne Johnson impersonating Danny De Vito and Kevin Hart adopting Danny Glover’s slower delivery. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/jumanji-the-next-level-review-dwayne-johnson-karen-gillan-kevin-hart-release-date-374107) ## Total Film — Jamie Graham Rating 3/5. 11 December 2019. The critic finds the sequel entertaining and solid, though less fresh than its predecessor. They praise the cast’s playful impersonations of one another, especially Dwayne Johnson’s take on Danny DeVito. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/jumanji-the-next-level-review/) ## The AV Club — Ignatiy Vishnevetsky Rating C. 10 December 2019. Vishnevetsky finds the sequel repetitive and lacking in replay value. He singles out Kevin Hart’s Danny Glover impression for praise, while criticizing Dwayne Johnson’s performance and the film’s recycled jokes. [Read the review](https://avclub.com/jumanji-lacks-replay-value-in-the-next-level-1840329799) ## The Hollywood Reporter — John DeFore Fi1m's normalised score 55/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2019. DeFore finds the sequel enjoyable but a clear case of diminishing returns, with its charm and comedic performances less consistent than before. He praises the elaborate action set pieces, especially the suspended-bridge maze sequence. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/jumanji-next-level-review-1261250/) ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Rating 2/2/2. 12 December 2019. Strong finds the sequel lacklustre, with a generic message and jokes that often miss the mark. She praises Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart’s impersonations, but criticizes the film’s treatment of Awkwafina and its penis jokes. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/jumanji-the-next-level) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 12 December 2019. Chang calls the sequel an amiable but overlong retread, with too little novelty to justify its two-hour runtime. He praises Danny DeVito’s effortless comic presence, while finding the relationship and friendship storylines soggy and forced. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-12-12/jumanji-next-level-review-dwayne-johnson-kevin-hart) ## Vulture — Bilge Ebiri Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2019. Ebiri finds the sequel tired and only modestly funny, with little life beyond its familiar premise. He praises the laughs from the characters’ different ways of dying, especially the Rock being demolished by an ostrich. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2019/12/jumanji-the-next-level-review.html) ## Screen Daily — Tim Grierson Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 11 December 2019. The critic finds the sequel disappointing. The visible text notes the players’ return to the jungle but offers no specific praise or complaint beyond that verdict. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/jumanji-the-next-level-review/5145528.article) ## Slant Magazine — Jake Cole Rating 1/4. 10 December 2019. Cole finds the sequel hollow and repetitive, with little reason for its characters to return to the game. He praises the brief performances of Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart playing against type, but says chaotic action quickly overwhelms them. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review-jumanji-the-next-level-finds-a-series-stuck-in-repeat-mode/) ## HeyUGuys Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the sequel an entertaining, confident ride despite familiar story beats and some weak CGI. It especially praises the comic performances, singling out Kevin Hart’s Danny Glover impression. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/jumanji-the-next-level-dwayne-johnson/) ## Digital Spy — Ian Sandwell Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2019. Sandwell finds the sequel hugely likeable and entertaining, though its overfamiliarity holds it back. He praises the body-swapping performances, especially Kevin Hart’s Danny Glover impression, and notes the story’s added emotional heart. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a30116538/jumanji-the-next-level-review/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the sequel an undemanding but solidly entertaining blockbuster. It praises Danny DeVito’s scene-stealing presence and the cast’s comic character switches, while noting that the plot often treads water. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/film-reviews/jumanji-the-next-level-review-danny-devito-2585591) ## The Ringer — Claire McNear Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2019. McNear finds the sequel a silly, enjoyable action romp despite its cash-grab feel. She singles out the chaotic biome-hopping adventure for praise, while calling Dwayne Johnson’s Danny DeVito impression very bad. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2019/12/13/movies/jumanji-the-next-level-review) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2019. The critic finds it an amusing, creative, and enjoyable sequel, though its familiar adventure plot and muddled themes keep it from improving on the original. Kevin Hart’s slow, measured performance as Milo is singled out as a comedic highlight. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/jumanji-the-next-level-film-review-2-sequel-danny-de-vito/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2019. The review finds the sequel enjoyable despite a malfunctioning, forgettable plot. It praises the actors’ personalities and the familiar pleasures they bring to the characters. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/jumanji-the-next-level-2019-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Den of Geek — Mark Harrison Rating 3/5. 10 December 2019. Harrison finds the sequel enjoyable but overly familiar, judging it no worse or better than its predecessor. He especially praises the ensemble’s comic chemistry and impersonations, with Gillan taking on more of the heroics. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/jumanji-the-next-level-review/) ## /Film — Josh Spiegel Rating 5 out of 10. 10 December 2019. Spiegel finds the sequel often amusing but a major step down from its predecessor, with an incoherent story and sloppy effects. He praises Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart for the humor they bring to their Danny DeVito- and Danny Glover-inspired performances. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/570981/jumanji-the-next-level-review/) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 10 December 2019. Worthington finds the sequel enjoyable in places but too familiar and overstuffed to match its predecessor. He praises the performers’ body-swapping character work, especially Kevin Hart’s impression of Danny Glover, while criticizing the repetitive quest and questionable humor. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2019/12/film-review-jumanji-the-next-level/) ## Paste — Oktay Ege Kozak Rating 3.5/10. 17 December 2019. Kozak argues that the sequel mostly replays its predecessor and recommends skipping it. He faults the thin plot and uninspired action, while noting the heartfelt subplot involving Eddie and Milo. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jumanji/jumanji-the-next-level-review) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/jumanji-the-next-level.md