Jumanji: The Next Level [SteelBook] [Digital Copy] [4K Ultra HD Blu-ray/Blu-ray] [Only @ Best Buy] [2019]

Overview: 4K Ultra HD / Blu-Ray / Digital Combo Pack. The Good: I won't spoil the plot, but it has a similar structure to the first Dwayne Johnson Jumanji movie. The "levels" the players have to navigate around feel much more fleshed out and exciting than in the previous movie. The Bad: This movie is pretty predictable. None of the performances from the Actors & Actresses are what you would call Oscar worthy. Nonetheless, it's an action filled ride that you'll enjoy if you "play" along. The Other: Don't forget this comes with a digital download code! Recommended? If you are a fan of the first movie, you will enjoy this. The build quality of the steel book case is top notch, like always.

This a cool collectible Steelbook, the art in front is nice resemble a comic. The movie is a lot fun with the original cast back for another outing with the addition on some great stars as DeVito, Glover and Akwafina.

Another collectible Steelbook from Best Buy. Live the design of the Steelbook. The movie is hilarious and hopefully they do a third one.

If you enjoyed the first one, you def need to watch this one. I was worried since it’s a sequel it wouldn’t hold up but it kept my interest from start to finish. No buyer’s remorse here. The films starts a couple years into the future where the group (Spencer, Fridge, Bethany, and Martha) have been living their lives away from each other but plan a reunion for brunch over the holidays. Spencer who is struggling with his mental health ends up no showing, resulting in the group going to his house in search of him only to find Spencer’s grandfather Eddie (DeVito) and his former business partner Milo (Glover). The adventures begin when the group hears the game playing from the basement. Realizing Spencer is in the game, they agree they must help him, only things don’t go as planned as the game is partially broken resulting in different avatars and Eddie and Milo entering the game instead of Bethany. This also helps to set up the jokes and amusing dialogue throughout the movie. This time they must recover the jewel from Jurgen the Brutal and show it to the sun in order to win the game, all while teaching Eddie and Mile (now played by Hart and Johnson) the ins and outs of the game. Characters swap bodies during the game, new game items, new skills, new dangers in animals and human form, and yes some heartfelt moments or cheesiness (whatever you prefer to call it). Once the game begins, the action starts and is pretty much non-stop. I’ll leave it at this due to spoilers but will say in the credits, there’s potential for another movie (they better do it right if they are going there). Regarding acting, Hart absolutely nailed the part. Don’t get me wrong, they all did great, but Hart shines (anyone who’s a Glover fan will know what I’m talking about). Bonus features include: body swapping snapping into character, reuniting the cast, making of Jumanji: The Next Level, creating the scene ostrich chase, and creating the mandrill bridge scene. These were fun to see after the movie. Parental guidance/trigger warnings: The characters are in a game fighting to stay alive (these are in game)- death, stealing, fighting, weapons, implied affair. Language used: Sx2, h*ll a couple times, g*ddamn x3, son of a b. I may or may not have missed a few things.

Yee Haw! Your one and only best friend Hop Along BIG DAWN here. Wowza what can I tell you about this movie. It sure is a knee slapper. Almost as good as the first one. I suggest you hop on the nearest stage coach and head to your local Best Buy Trading Post and barter for this thing. It's a Hoot! Good fun for all your kin.

While not as good as Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, it’s still a great film full of lots of comedy. Love Danny Glover and Danny DeVito plus Awkwafina added a lot of fun to this film and the returning cast was just as funny as before.

Quite a bit to like here, but the additions of Danny Glover and Danny DeVito is where it can be hit or miss. The additions themselves and their story within Jumanji is quite good, but once body-swapped into Jumanji, unfortunately, the various actors portraying them throughout (Kevin Hart, The Rock, and newcomer Awkwafina,) are haphazard in their portrayals of their geriatric counterparts. Also falling into the uneven category are the jokes: most land with laughs, but where the first film was able to fall back consistently and effectively on being in new bodies, (along with great impersonations,) the Freaky Friday motiff is largely gone here, and can't be relied on for the consistent humor. With that reliable source of humor gone, more variety is needed, and again, it just doesn't always land. What can be counted on are bigger and more extravagant action sequences, and here, Next Level succeeds. Dune buggies driven by our heroes chased by ostriches is topped by them being chased on foot over a series of multi-level, rotating wood bridges by enraged Mandrills. Jumanji: The Next Level is a fine sequel, and I sincerely hope a third film is on the way. That said, be aware that while the magic of the first film is still there, it ebbs and flows in comparison to the strong current that made the first film such a great surprise.

One great movie. I am glad I saw it since I am a major collector and happy to add to my collection with great sound and picture.