Jumanji: The Next Level

Fun and spectacle are the key words here, with no expense spared in terms of effects and casting.

...it seems to be driven partly by an anxious desire to prove itself capable of matching its predecessor. Ignore this if you can, for it’s such a satisfyingly wild ride that its flaws can be forgiven.

The Next Level apparently had one of the fastest turnarounds from filming to release in blockbuster history. Let's hope, if there's a next one, the makers take a little more time and care to ensure a truly memorable follow-up.

The action sequences are lifeless; the lessons valid but arguably stale; and the trimmings, mere bloat.

If the Jumanji masterminds insist on all this artificial sweetening, can the next level at least be Candy Crush?

Jumanji: The Next Level does get close to matching the charms of the first film - but only in the final reel, when you can sense the credits about to roll. By then it's already game over.

It's not the most original kind of magic, but there's potency there, more than enough to keep audiences hanging around for at least one more round.

[T]his installment is a clear case of diminishing returns, but enjoyable action set pieces and a surprise or two near the end should keep parental grousing to a minimum.

For the most part, the film's values are in the right place, and apart from a few off-color bits, the humour serves the greater goal of looking past one's physical limitations and respecting friendships in whatever form they take.

It doesn't have the surprise factor of the last film and sometimes feels rough around the edges, but The Next Level pushes its body-swap antics even further to deliver just as many laughs.

Jumanji's next level is rather satisfying.