DIRECTOR: Jaume Collet-Serra
PRODUCERS: John Davis & Beau Flynn & John Fox & Dwayne Johnson & Dany Garcia & Hiram Garcia
WRITERS: Michael Green (screenplay by) & Glenn Ficara (screenplay/story)& John Requa(screenplay/story) & John Norville & Josh Goldstein (story by)
PERFORMERS: Dwayne Johnson Emily Blunt Edgar Ramirez Jack Whitehall
with Jesse Plemons and Paul Giamatti
Disney has had a long reputation for making films based on original material, sometimes even their own. But when it came to theme park attractions, they either had it or they didn't. We all know that Pirates of the Caribbean was a smart move to make on their part, only to become it's own film franchise. Then there was The Haunted Mansion, which could have been better but just did not hold a candle to it's successor. For a while seemed like there was no other ride worthy enough to inspire another film of such capacity. Then came this concept, something that no one at the time would have ever thought of. Another film put on delay due to the pandemic, this turned out to be the summer blockbuster worth waiting for.
Inspired by the attraction at the many Disneyland parks around the world, Jungle Cruise takes you on a journey you'll never forget. Using the supernatural elements from Pirates of the Caribbean, along with the likes of Indiana Jones and with a dose of The Mummy ('99); This film actually proves you can make a film based on any ride. I went on the Jungle Cruise ride at one point in my life, great ride and worth experiencing. Going into this film I admit, my expectations were very high. With the exception of Dwayne Johnson as a skipper with a dark secret and Emily Blunt as a doctor with a sense of adventure, they were very much a great pair on screen. The chemistry was spot on, the characters were 100% believable and less cheesy and everything else was just what it needed to be. Blunt was like a female incarnation of Indiana Jones, I thought, as she persuades and pickpockets her way in and out of situations searching for an artifact of great power. Johnson, on the other hand, proves he can carry a film of this magnitude with a blend of action and comedy. Probably his best work of Disney standards since Moana. When I first saw him in the film, the first thing that popped in my head was that unforgettable phrase from his wrestling days: "If you smell... what The Rock... is cookin'?" The reason for that was because he was cooking something so good, you just knew you were gonna ask for seconds. When Johnson and Blunt are put together on the adventure, there's that predictable will they or won't they element to get you interested in them. They start out as two strangers thrown together under a series of circumstances only to become more than that in the end.
The performances were great to observe as well, Paul Giamatti also shines despite having a small part. Jack Whitehall, who plays Blunt's on screen brother, is also as effective as the others as he's dragged along for the ride but plays a huge part in the adventure during the film's progression. Edgar Ramirez gives an outlandish performance as the main villain of the film. He's the Barbossa of this piece and Jesse Plemons steals the show as the power hungry soldier seeking to bring order and control to the world. Much like the Pirates films and Indiana Jones, you have two to several different factions seeking an object for different reasons both for good and for evil. Blunt's character for me, was a mirror of carrying on one's work and risking everything to finish it (2 CORINTHIANS 8:11 NIV). The direction by Collet-Serra is also a major factor in this film's likability. Whether this was rushed in production or things of that nature, he really took his time with this one. There was so much development with Johnson and Blunt you could just tell where they were going. In an age where CGI is so overused, the ones you see here are used when needed. So it's nice to see them not ruling a picture like this at every turn.
Everything about this film from classic style to exotic locations, supernatural elements and powerhouse performances, Jungle Cruise really delivers another fine job well done. In doing so, made another Disney ride look good on screen and it's never looked as good as this since the original Pirates of the Caribbean. I can only imagine how far this film will go if it maintains the positive vibe it's been getting so far. Maybe this is the beginning of another franchise, but only time will tell if that's probable. I will say this: This was highly entertaining and a pleasurable escapist type of film needed for the popcorn aspect of entertainment. Jungle Cruise is cruise you'll want to go on again and again. In fact, this movie makes me want to go on the ride at Disneyland again come my next visit! Highly Recommended!!!
MY RATING: 5 out of 5