Happily Ever After?
When Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle was shown in theatres, it showed the story of a group of teenagers who go through character growth and become seemingly better versions of themselves. What it did not show us was the follow-through. What happens to a character once they have learned their lesson? Jumanji: The Next Level, the sequel to the reboot of the original 1995 film, shows us what that looks like for our heroes.
Meet the old newbies!
However, along with the cast from the last movie, they have brought on a few fresh faces. One of which is a few new avatars such as Ming Fleetfoot (Awkwafina) and a horse. Along with new in-game characters there are also star guests such as Danny DeVito and Danny Glover, who play Spencer’s grandfather Eddy and Milo Walker, a pair of old friends whose relationship is strained by old grudges. These two drive the central conflict in the story as they come to a mutual understanding of what really happened between them.
Back to our heroes.
Meanwhile, our central characters from the last movie are all doing pretty well in life. Well, at least most of them. It’s been a year since we have last seen them. Bethany (Madison Iseman) just came back from a trip overseas. Martha (Morgan Turner) has been getting settled in at college, and Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain) is doing more of the same. Spencer (Alex Wolff) however, has not been doing as well. He is doing college in New York now and works a very stressful job with an even more stressful boss. His newfound confidence from the last movie is nearly gone, and he has begun isolating himself from his friends.
As the movie goes on, the power of Dwyane Johnson and Kevin Hart heal old wounds for Eddy and Milo. Not only that, but after a heart-to-heart with Martha, Spencer learns how she feels about the real him, and everyone ends the movie on a much more believable “Happily Ever After.” At least, for the time being.
Rebecca Starke
Student Author Fall 2020
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rebecca Starke
Student Author - Fall 2020
