Hello ladies & gentlemen! Welcome to another one of my movie reviews that was on the docket as of around a couple weeks ago! Today, five into the world of Disney. Not only that, but we are going to talk about a live-action Disney film that is based on one of the Disney park rides. Wow, one of the first to do so since films like Pirates Of The Caribbean, and The Haunted Mansion (both of which were released in 2003). This time, the film is based on one of the more famous rides, known as Jungle Cruise. So now, let’s talk about the Jungle Cruise movie!
Plot: Set in the year 1916, in the middle of WWI, Dr. Lily Houghton decides to make a research trip to the Amazon jungle, in an attempt to find a legendary tree that, according to legend, is said to possess flowers with healing powers. With a map that she found at a British museum in her hands, along with the help of her brother, MacGregor (Jack Whitehall), and a tour guide in Brazil named Frank Wolff (Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson), will they be able to find this tree? If so, what then will happen?
Wow, though not quite perfect, this was most definitely a film that was worth waiting an extra year to wait. But more on the positive aspects of this film in a moment. What are some some areas in which this film could have improved? First off, there was a character that wasn’t officially declared to be gay in this film, but had moments where it was implied that he could be. It’s like come on! Do we need to have even implied gay characters in films like this? Come on, especially since gay people didn’t seem to be common much, if at all during times like WWI, maybe even WWII! Also, the movie can be a little hokey at a couple points.
Still, in spite of these couple issues, Jungle Cruise is an overall delight. First off, the movie does a great job of mostly avoiding certain areas that would otherwise make it a little too familiar to other films of this adventure/action genre. It’s also great to have some backstory in regards to certain elements that are set up over the course of this film. Not to mention some of the really cool world building that goes along with this film as a result! Oh, and without hopefully spoiling anything, let me just also say that it’s cool to have some other elements incorporated in that you don’t seem to hear of being mixed in with a story, and making it work well. Can you say the magic of Disney storytelling? With this being the case, if you liked films like Pirates Of The Caribbean, the Indians Jones franchise, or even Disney adventure films like Atlantis: The Lost Empire, you’re bound to really have fun with Jungle Cruise. Also, how could you not love the chemistry between Lily Houghton, and Frank Wolff? Oh, and can we take time to talk about the fact that Emily Blunt, and Dwayne Johnson are the stars of this film? I bring this up since Blunt starred in films like 2018’s Mary Poppins Returns, while Johnson was in other Disney films like 2007’s The Game Plan, and 2016’s Moana. Not only that, but when they’re not in more adult films, but in family films like those, and now Jungle Cruise, it’s almost as if you can see a softer side to this acting duo. So how about that? It’s also cool to have quite a few characters in this film, and actually have it work, and have most, if not all of then developed really well. The CGI also is fantastic. Sure, there may have been points, where the CGI could have possibly been a little over the top, but at least not to the points where it kills the film. Thank God! Oh, and let’s acknowledge James Newton Howard’s excellent score. As usual, does not disappoint. Jungle Cruise is no exception as far as making a fantastic soundtrack goes. Finally, it’s great to have some really good messages about learning to value life, even when it may feel difficult to do so. Again, what a great lesson to learn!
And that’s my review for Disney’s Jungle Cruise! Despite a couple flaws, Jungle is an overall enjoyable treat at the lobbies from beginning to end. Honestly, I’m not sure how you could not go to theaters to see a film like this one. Friends, and family, Jungle Cruise is one of those movies that needs to be experienced on the big screen. It has great lessons, an excellent cast, a really great score, and other elements that make it worth your while! Please go see it if you haven’t yet. You’re bound to love it for the most part! Oh, and let me just end by saying that, first off, hopefully this will prove successful to the point where it is proven that people will prefer going to movie theaters to see movies, instead of staying at home to watch a film on a streaming service. Second, hopefully Disney will learn to balancing making newer, and more original content, and making remakes of their past animated films too!
Final Grade: A-
Matthew’s Animated & Live-Action Movie Reviews 