Watch Kids' Reviews of
JUMANJI (HDNET)

Jumanji tells the story of two children who encounter a mysterious board game that comes to life. Starring Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, Bonnie Hunt, and Jonathan Hyde, this adventure will give the entire family a ride. I've loved Jumanji for a very long time, and it's still a classic favorite for me. Even though this film came out in 1995, the cinematography is still wonderful. And even though a lot of the animals use animatronics, it's still very real and thrilling. My favorite character would have to be Alan Parrish played by Robin Williams, because he gets sucked into the world of Jumanji, and when he is released 26 years later he has to come to the realization that times have changed. Plus, Robin Williams is hilarious in this film! I have several favorite scenes. My first would have to be the very beginning of the film which was centuries ago. It's very dark and it gives a taste of the horror and thrills that the movie has in store. I also like the scene when giant human eating monster plants grow out of the fireplace. I just remember that part as being very suspenseful. And last but not least I like the scene when Van Pelt man hunter came out of the game. Actually, I just like the character Van Pelt in general. He is played by Jonathan Hyde who was also in the Titanic. Overall I give Jumanji 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 6 and up because it's such a fun movie, but also has some suspenseful situations. Raven Devanney, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic. The movie is about a little boy who finds a board game called Jumanji. Strange drum beats and a noise are heard until he finds and opens the game and starts to play it. Have you ever been playing a game and felt like you were really one of the players in real life? Wait till you see this game. The little boy Alan Parrish (Robin Williams) and his friend Sarah Whittle (Bonnie Hunt,) begin to play the game. They roll the dice and read whatever their game piece lands on. The problem is whatever they read comes to life. Alan gets stuck in the jungle. In the jungle you must wait until the dice reads 5 or 8. A missing boy, a girl who swears he disappeared in a game while she was being chased by bats causes the game to be locked away so no one else can ever play it. Twenty-six years later, a brother and sister, Peter and Judy (Bradley Pierce and Kirsten Dunst,) find the game and begin to play. The game seeks out people who are sad and unhappy and want to leave their current world behind and start a new life. The graphics are amazing. We get to see the characters interact with all different kinds of animals, insects, reptiles and acts of Mother Nature. Everything appears to be believable and very realistic. There are also funny parts with a policeman and an Aunt who is looking for all the children. I would love to play this game because it would be a great adventure. My favorite scene is the animal stampede because the animals look so real and cool. When Peter becomes a monkey and remains that way it is very entertaining. Crazy monkeys cause trouble and try to slow down the game. Some of the movie is frightening with spiders, mosquitoes, crocodiles, lions and a giant plant that eats people begin taking over a small town. Everything is larger than real life. I did not like Jonathan Hyde because he played Van Pelt a crazy hunter chasing everyone and everything with a gun. His main goal is to scare Alan Parish. I guess he did a good job because he scared me. Be sure to watch the added features including a game to test your movie knowledge, a section that explains the creatures and what they are really like and another one that teaches you magic tricks. I love this movie and recommend this for ages 6 and up. This movie gets 5 twinkling stars because it is original and each time you watch it you catch something new and realize all the work that went into making this great movie. Be sure to watch this movie all month long on HDNet Movies - kidScene. Morgan Bertsch, age 7, KIDS FIRST! Film Critic.

Screening throughout November 2012 on HDNet - kidScene. Originally released in 1995.

When two kids play an old magic board game they found, they release a man trapped for decades and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game.