--- title: "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle" 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: Welcome to the Jungle (2017): what the critics said Critics' score 58 from 27 reviews: 12 positive, 8 mixed, 7 negative. The reviews lean towards qualified enjoyment, with the cast supplying the strongest point of agreement. Critics repeatedly credit the ensemble’s chemistry and body-swap performances with making a familiar adventure entertaining. Jack Black attracts particular praise for playing a self-absorbed teenage girl, while Dwayne Johnson’s comic timing and Karen Gillan’s physical comedy also earn approval. Even several less enthusiastic reviews find the performers likeable and the comedy intermittently effective. The spread is wide, however, and the chief disagreement is over how much those performances can carry. Admirers find a funny, good-natured family adventure; detractors find repetitive jokes, predictable character arcs and action without tension. Several reviews also miss the original’s emotional depth or stranger qualities. Variety is especially dismissive, finding little excitement or comedy in a generic adventure. The Ringer’s objection centres on the sequel’s tenuous connection to the original and its reliance on nostalgia. ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. Jones regards the adventure as a high-spirited, successful follow-up to the original. He praises its rip-roaring action and contemporary twists while noting that it downplays the jungle animal perils. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-p55lyk/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle/) ## Empire — Chris Hewitt Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2017. Hewitt finds the sequel a charming, consistently inventive reinvention, though its plot becomes predictable. He singles out the lead quartet’s chemistry and playful performances as the source of its constant chuckles. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/jumanji-welcome-jungle-review/) ## Screen Daily — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2017. Newman presents the film as an enjoyable, entertaining adventure sequel. He singles out the excellent cast as a major strength. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review/5124879.article) ## Los Angeles Times — Katie Walsh Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 2017. Walsh finds the film’s familiar, one-joke premise entertaining thanks to its cast and performances. She especially praises Jack Black’s comic portrayal of a self-obsessed teen and the cast’s ability to make the character dynamics work. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-20171218-story.html) ## The AV Club — Katie Rife Rating B-. 19 December 2017. Rife finds the sequel inane but harmless, fast-paced, frequently funny, and consistently entertaining. She praises the cast’s comedic charisma, especially Dwayne Johnson’s playful performance, while faulting the try-hard dialogue and lack of the original’s surrealist flair. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-gets-by-on-the-strength-1821414976) ## The Hollywood Reporter — THR Staff Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 8 December 2017. The critic finds the adventure an enjoyable modernization that is funny enough for adults as well as young audiences. They single out the cast’s comic performances, especially Jack Black’s portrayal of a teenage girl in an adult man’s body. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/jumanji-welcome-jungle-review-1065915/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 2017. Edelstein finds the film entertaining, wholesome fun, though somewhat bland. He praises the broad performances, especially Karen Gillan’s physical comedy, while wishing the artificial game world had pushed its settings further. [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2017/12/movie-review-jumanji-2017.html) ## Little White Lies — Hannah Strong Rating 2/3/2. 16 December 2017. Strong finds the film a hollow, formulaic cash-in, though it works surprisingly well as mindless entertainment. She praises the cast’s chemistry and especially Jack Black’s playful performance as a teenage girl. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating 3/5. 9 December 2017. Bradshaw finds it an amiable, capable, if formulaic fantasy adventure. He particularly praises Dwayne Johnson’s endearing performance and Jack Black’s comic turn. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/dec/09/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-dwayne-the-rock-johnson-jack-black-karen-gillan) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 3/5. 20 December 2017. Clarke calls it a welcome Christmas surprise. She praises its plentiful self-referential laughs. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle) ## IndieWire — David Ehrlich Rating C. 8 December 2017. Ehrlich finds the sequel mildly amusing but weighed down by stale action and franchise nostalgia. He praises Jack Black’s comic performance as the source of the film’s only real laughs. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-dwayne-johnson-jack-black-kevin-hart-karen-gillan-1201904969/) ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★. 21 December 2017. Turner finds the film underwhelming and repetitive, despite its likeable cast. He particularly criticizes the overused body-swap jokes and the action sequences’ lack of tension. [Read the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-112267) ## Total Film — Neil Smith Rating 2/5. 9 December 2017. The critic finds the reboot sporadically diverting but ultimately soulless, calling it a losing game. He praises the canyon chase as the film’s best set-piece while faulting its weak connection to the original. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review/) ## Slant Magazine — Derek Smith Rating 1.5/4. 11 December 2017. The critic finds the film muddled and overburdened by predictable, thinly developed character arcs. The review particularly faults its repetitive trait-based jokes and lack of suspense. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle/) ## Variety — Owen Gleiberman Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 9 December 2017. The critic pans the film as a dull, generic adventure with little excitement or comedy. He singles out Nick Jonas as the one performer who finds a relaxed, effective rhythm. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-dwayne-johnson-kevin-hart-1202633910/) ## Digital Spy — Hugh Armitage Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2017. The critic finds it a cleverly crafted, good-natured family adventure with heart and laughs. The body-swapped performances, especially Jack Black’s portrayal of a self-absorbed teenage girl, are singled out for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a844947/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review/) ## /Film — Karen Han Rating 8 out of 10. 20 December 2017. Han calls the film an outrageously fun, smart piece of escapist entertainment, despite occasional overreliance on silliness. She especially praises the cast’s body-swap performances and the comic rapport between Jack Black and Karen Gillan. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/554969/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review/) ## The Wrap — Alonso Duralde Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2017. The critic calls the film a charming, funny family adventure that succeeds where similar mainstream releases often fail. They especially praise the cast’s comic reversals of teenage stereotypes, while noting that the update leaves behind the original’s melancholy and emotional depth. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-film-review-dwayne-johnson-kevin-hart-jack-black/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the sequel entertaining and fun, despite a loss of steam near the end. They praise the cast’s chemistry and single out Karen Gillan’s performance as a career best. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/jumanji-welcome-jungle-film-review-2170268) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 21 December 2017. The critic finds the film entertaining, adventurous and funny, despite a weak ending. They single out Dwayne Johnson’s comic timing and Karen Gillan’s athletic performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-2017-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). Pape finds the film an enjoyable, entertaining blockbuster, though it lacks the original’s emotional depth. He especially praises Jack Black’s comic performance as a teenage girl. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review/) ## The Playlist Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 19 December 2017. The page is blocked, so the critic’s verdict cannot be determined. No praise or complaint can be verified from the available text. [Read the review](https://theplaylist.net/jumanji-welcome-jungle-review-20171219/) ## Den of Geek — David Crow Rating 3/5. 21 December 2017. Crow finds the film slight but amusing, an easygoing family adventure that earns its appeal through its cast. He especially praises Jack Black’s comic performance and the ensemble’s chemistry, while faulting the thin villain and story. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review/) ## Paste — Oktay Ege Kozak Rating 4.5/10. 22 December 2017. The critic finds the film a mediocre, flat action comedy that misses its potential to parody video games. He singles out Jack Black’s performance as the avatar of Bethany for praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/jumanji/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle) ## Consequence — Clint Worthington Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 20 December 2017. The critic finds the film an exhausting, uneven nostalgia exercise with some diverting moments. The cast’s comic chemistry, especially Karen Gillan’s physical comedy, provides its strongest appeal. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2017/12/film-review-jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 12 December 2017. Hammond finds the film a passable family outing but says its laughs and excitement rarely land. He singles out the CGI animals as the most amusing part, while criticizing the writing for weak jokes and setups. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2017/12/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-dwayne-johnson-kevin-hart-jack-black-jake-kasdan-1202224678/) ## The Ringer — Claire McNear Fi1m's normalised score 20/100 (inferred from the text). 22 December 2017. McNear argues that the reboot is barely connected to the beloved original and uses its name mainly to trade on nostalgia. She criticizes its disregard for the original’s world and rules, finding little beyond jungle, game mechanics, and a big star to connect the films. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/12/22/movies/jumanji-welcome-to-the-jungle-review-the-rock-robin-williams) --- © 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-welcome-to-the-jungle.md