Jumanji (1995)

When two kids find and play a magical board game, they release a man trapped for decades in it and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.

Director:

Joe Johnston

Writers:

Jonathan Hensleigh (screenplay), Greg Taylor (screenplay),

Stars:

Robin Williams, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst

3 wins & 8 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Robin Williams	...	Alan Parrish
Jonathan Hyde	...	Van Pelt / Sam Parrish
Kirsten Dunst	...	Judy Shepherd
Bradley Pierce	...	Peter Shepherd
Bonnie Hunt	...	Sarah Whittle
Bebe Neuwirth	...	Nora Shepherd
David Alan Grier	...	Carl Bentley
Patricia Clarkson	...	Carol Parrish
Adam Hann-Byrd	...	Young Alan
Laura Bell Bundy	...	Young Sarah
James Handy	...	Exterminator
Gillian Barber	...	Mrs. Thomas
Brandon Obray	...	Benjamin
Cyrus Thiedeke	...	Caleb
Gary Joseph Thorup	...	Billy Jessup

Storyline

After being trapped in a jungle board game for 26 years, a Man-Child wins his release from the game. But, no sooner has he arrived that he is forced to play again, and this time sets the creatures of the jungle loose on the city. Now it is up to him to stop them.

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Plot Keywords:

board game | jungle | magic | santa claus suit | earthquake | 

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Taglines:

It's a jungle in there!

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Genres:

Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for menacing fantasy action and some mild language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook

Country:

USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

15 December 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Džumandži

Filming Locations:

British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$50,000,000 (estimated)

Gross:

£12,902,923 (UK) (19 April 1996)

Company Credits

Production Co:

TriStar Pictures, Interscope Communications, Teitler Film

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby SR Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the film, the role of Alan Parrish's father and that of the hunter Van Pelt are played by the same actor (Jonathan Hyde). This may be a reference to Peter Pan, since (in theatre and movie versions) the parts of Captain Hook and Wendy's father are traditionally played by the same actor. (Robin Williams also played the grown up Peter Pan in the movie sequel Hook.)

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Goofs

All the animals in the herd of elephants, zebras, rhinos, and such seem to always stay together as they run at different speeds. Do the zebras and smaller animals constantly stop every now and then to let the others catch up?

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Quotes

Alan Parrish: Play the game, Sarah.
Sarah Whittle: [whispering] Oh, no, no, no.
Alan Parrish: All right. Just give me the dice, and you can go home. You don't have to play.
Sarah Whittle: Oh, thank you.
[Sarah gives Alan the dice but moves his hand making Sarah roll as Alan laughs for fun]
Sarah Whittle: [loses it] Oh, my god! How could you do that?
Alan Parrish: It's the law of the jungle, Sarah. You'll get used to it.
Sarah Whittle: And I think of all the energy, I spent visualizing you as a radiant spirit.

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Crazy Credits

Near the end of the closing credits, Jumanji's drums can be heard beating.

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Connections

Featured in Special Effects: Anything Can Happen (1996)

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Soundtracks

"Himno Nacional Mexicano"
(uncredited)
Written by Francisco González Bocanegra & Jaime Nunó
Performed by Studio Group

User Reviews

Maybe The Best Ever For Just Pure Entertainment

Among the thousands of films I have viewed, this movie would rank near the top for sheer entertainment. That's not saying it's the best-made or most intelligent or scariest or funniest or features the best effects, etc. etc. But combine all those and you have a film that's tough to beat when you're looking for 100 minutes of escapist fun.

The film features some wild computer-enhanced special effects that were new to its day, but now about 10 years later, it's no big deal. In fact, some of it, such as the lion, look pretty hokey compared to the stuff that's out there now. To me, it was story that was the lure, anyway, not the special effects.

Because it's so much fun, this is one of the fastest-moving films I've ever viewed. The time flies by. It's not to be analyzed or given much thought, because it's so ludicrous. You just go along for the wild ride in this fantasy-adventure and get a bunch of laughs and thrills along the way. That's one of the big attractions of this of film: the excellent combination of adventure and comedy.

Are there annoying things in this movie? Sure. To me, it was Bonnie Hunt's occult beliefs and too many OMGs and the overdone character of the hunter (Jonathan Hyde). Other than that, I loved the film the first I saw it and every time afterward. I've probably viewed this movie as much as any, simply because it was so entertaining.

Robin Williams, David Alan Grier and the two kids, Kristen Dunst and Bradley Pierce, were all great people to watch and share this adventure with.

Now THIS is entertainment!