Library Hosts Special Family Movie Event

By TRILBY BERESFORD | Reporter

Most people are lovingly familiar with “Jumanji.” The fantastical story first appeared in 1981 in picture book form, written and illustrated by Chris Van Allsburg.

It was adapted into a film in 1995, directed by Joe Johnston, starring the late Robin Williams and child version of Kirsten Dunst.

“Jumanji” went on to become a mass favorite, one of those films that has great re-watch value, much like “E.T.,” “The Never Ending Story” and “Indian in the Cupboard.”

Audiences can now rediscover the adventure by way of its star-studded 2017 sequel, “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” featuring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black and singer Nick Jonas.

This film is screening at Palisades Branch Library at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 21, in the community room.

To cater for the modern generation of tech enthusiasts, a video game comes to life instead of a board game. That development has attracted some new fans and repelled others, but that’s how life goes.

Director Jake Kasdan has been navigating the comedy circuit for years. He became well known after unleashing “Orange County” with Colin Hanks in 2002, and went on to direct “Bad Teacher,” “Sex Tape” and numerous television shows.

The film has multiple screenwriters (usually a worrisome sign), including Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers, who contributed to “Ant-Man and the Wasp,” currently in theaters; Scott Rosenberg, who brought us “Disturbing Behavior” and “High Fidelity,” among many others; and Jeff Pinkner, who was on the writing team of “Alias,” “Lost” and “Fringe.”

Even though this version of “Jumanji” seems cluttered with creative input, the end result received mostly positive reviews. Critics praised the performances and nostalgic references, though most agreed that the film doesn’t quite reach the power of the original.

A sequel to the sequel is allegedly in the pipeline, with many of the same cast and crew reprising their roles.