Jumanji - Limited Edition Steelbook Blu-ray (Includes DVD & Digital UV Copy) [1996] [Region Free]

4K releases pre-2000'ish are a bit hit and miss in definition quality as many have no doubt found, however, am delighted to say this movie-gem of 1995 is in my view, pretty good on 4K, not perfect, but, far better than the earlier Blu-ray release.The story tells of how a young boy Alan Parish (young Adam Hann-Byrd - older The Legendary talent Robin Williams) running from bullies finds a box buried 100 years ago (1869) by two boys, it's a game called Jumanji.After an argument with his father at home, Alan had decided to run away, however, friend Sarah Whittle (young Laura Bell Bundy - older Bonnie Hunt) brings back his bike the bullies had taken, Alan invites Sarah to play the game he'd found.....the game eerie from the word go, strange sounds and messages, even the pieces move when the dice is rolled....scarily Alan is pulled into the crystal, he's disappeared.Twenty-Six years have passed, Alan's parents had died in a skiing accident, the house is sold, Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce) move in with their Aunt.Very soon they hear drum-like noises, Judy and Jack investigate, they find Jumanji and decide to play the game, eerily with strange noises and messages creatures begin to come forth from the board, mosquitoes followed by numerous mischievous monkeys, though scared, the game insists that it has to be played until complete when everything will return to normal, the next throw a bearded Alan along with a Lion springs out.Alan, of course, doesn't know what has happened during the years he's been missing presumed dead.Well, Alan realises they need old-friend Sarah to join the game to have any chance of completing it, Sarah all this time on is reluctant with vivid memories of seeing Alan pulled into the game 26 years ago, but does.Well mayhem follows as the Jungle and its creatures come to town (Brantford)Will the four complete the game and send the Jungle and its creatures back to where they come from?This is certainly a fun ride that'll both hold your attention and amuse as the film unfolds.Unlike the newer films where the key-characters are pulled into the Jungle, the Jungle comes to them.For me, the film so much better than what has followed....certainly worth a re-visit or indeed first viewing.....enjoy.

I've just finished watching this for the second time. It's even better this time round. The performances by the multi-talented Robin WIlliams and the stunningly beautiful Bonnie Hunt as Sarah were faultless. Also the child stars Kirsten Dunst and Bradley Pierce gave incredibly accomplished performances. The special effects were superb such as when the car gets drawn into the forrest - mesmerising. Everything about this film was bang on, concept, casting, editing, directing etc etc. If I had to find fault, and I had to dig very deep to find it, it would be to say that I wish David Alan Grier had been in it a bit more, his performance as the cop was so enganging and funny. Having said that this film is packed full of goodies, in a way that makes other fantasy films, including the follow up starring Jack Black (which I loved), seem wanting. My advice is to put this on when you are not distracted and revel in it - I'm sure you won't be sorry.

I remember when the film came out and I first seen it in 1996. It was such an experience. Back in the day those special effect were something of a breakthrough so it did go a loong way with a childs perceptive imagination. Needless to say that I was completely mesmerised by the movie and the performances that the late Robin Williams was capable of generating were astonishing.I re-watched the film in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemics lockdown and I must say that after 30 years of watching cinema and seeing all of the newest CGI special super-effects being coupled with the greatests minds of this cinematic era...the is still one of the best action/comedy/drama/family/adventure films there was ever made. Also viewing this as someone who studied film and produced some indie experiments short sci fi and comedy films...there's almost nothing one can hold against the genius utilised in producing this movie. It's close to perfect for it's cathegory.

By great effects I don't mean compared to today, however the animation for some of the animals is great, the way they interact with the world - watching a car get folded by a plant - honestly that's why I haven't turned it off.The puppets/models are also impressive (there's a "lion" that yawns) - these redeem the film in my eyes (it's also a kids film- something I didn't realise going in)There are some big problems though, there are lots of instances best given with an example:A cop car has broken breaks, we can see brake fluid leaking and the breaks obviously don't work - minutes later a 3-point turn is performed and it drives off fine, then brakes again to pick someone up.The thing I absolutely hate the most is the Sarah character, there's mild poking fun at her for being a "psychic", right at the start Robin Williams' character is like "roll Sarah, roll!" and taken in a big vortex, he'll only be released by 5 or 8 being rolled (this is the film's premise, 26 years later this is rolled) - and he's fine with it.She's incredibly selfish - if I imprisoned a child to grow up 26 years in a crazy indiscript jungle (even as a kid myself) when they showed up 26 years later I'd at least not make it about my problems in life.The poking at Sarah is too mild to be funny. She spends up to about 2/3rds of the film TRYING TO BAIL on the group - like when Robin Williams' character is being chased by a hunter - she's like "well bye children, I'll just leave you now"Seriously the Sarah character is badEnding was really quite a letdown.Having said that I constantly enjoyed the effects, watching the water pour out of the house, really enjoyed that.I also don't get why the hunter took his dad's form but whatever