Belt Review System – Page 2

21
Mar 18
0

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Review

In a brand new Jumanji adventure, four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game’s jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose. What they discover is that you don’t just play Jumanji – you must survive it. To beat the game and return to the real world, they’ll have to go on the most dangerous adventure of their lives, discover what Alan Parrish left 20 years ago, and change the way they think about themselves – or they’ll be stuck in the game forever, to be played by others without break.

Why did I come to this movie/read this book again?

Let’s start with the fact that I love all of the adult actors featured in this film. It looked hilarious and completely ridiculous. I’m not a big video game girl, but I’ve played a few, and know enough about them to appreciate most of the little jokes in the trailer. I was so excited to see this movie!

5 out of 5

Characters

I have to say that I loved all of the characters. Jack Black stole the show with is performance, but the others were all great. I’ll never say no to a good Dwayne Johnson movie, and I adore Karen Gillan. Kevin Hart is somewhat new to me, but he cracked me up. They all did a great job being teenagers trapped in different bodies with strange abilities. I totally relate to having cake be a weakness, and I’m seriously thinking about taking up dance fighting.

5 out of 5

Did I care what happened?

Yes! Totally. Even though most of it was predictable—even that very last moment when Karen Gillan saves the day—I cared.

5 out of 5

Plot Holes

The great thing about a movie based on a video game, is that the plot only has to hold the silliness together. Why do the bad guys run around on motorcycles? Who knows. Doesn’t matter. They just do. Why is the clue in the bottom of a snake basket? Because that’s where the programmers put it. Every time I started to think “Wait, that’s dumb” I reminded myself that it’s dumb on purpose, and then I was laughing at something else and forgot.

4 out of 5

How many times did I yawn?

No yawning. Much laughing.

5 out of 5

Cool Factor

I was impressed. Again, it’s a living video game. The effects are great, if not cheesy.

4 out of 5

The End

This movie almost has two endings. The first when the beat Jumanji. (Spoilers. Don’t complain, we all know it will happen) But then again after they get back to the real world. I liked both.

5 out of 5

Overall Enjoyment

You guys, I loved this movie. I went in expecting a silly, romp with lots of humor and maybe some cool effects. And guess what, that’s exactly what I got. No pretense of being the greatest film ever made. No artsy style to interrupt the humor. I laughed and laughed. I’ve actually seen it twice and it will be one of my go-to movies for a long time.

I expected to enjoy Dwayne Johnson’s performance the most, but seriously, Jack Black…well, just go see it. Go see it with the expectation that it’s a video game movie that might be funny.

5 out of 5

Score=38 out of 40

That’s a Black Belt!

17
Jan 18
1

Jo’s Belt System for Movie and Book Reviews

Tags : Belt Review System

For the two of you that have been with me since the beginning, I’m resurrecting my old belt-review system for books and movies.

I never know what to say in a review. As an author, I do appreciate the “Great book. Loved it!” reviews, but I really like the ones that say why someone liked or disliked a book. Great characters, horrible dialogue. Awesome fight scenes. Whatever.

So I’ve given myself a system for ranking movies and books.

I’ll introduce a movie with the blurb from IMDB and a book with the blurb from the back cover.

I will then give from 1 to 5 points in the following categories:

Why did I come to this movie/read this book again?

The hook and why I was excited to partake of this particular title. Unless I’m forced against my will, the hook will usually score high.

Characters

Are they awesome? Did I want to kill them? Did I cheer when the good guy got injured, or did I cry when the love of her life drove off into the distance with the bimbo next door? Where would I take them to dinner if I had the chance? My thoughts and harsh judgments of the characters.

Did I care what happened?

Or was I, once again, kind of hoping the bad guy would actually win? Oops, did that sparkly vampire just get staked in the heart? (Sorry, had to be done.)

Plot Holes

Are they mouse-sized or freight train sized?

How many times did I yawn?

Or did I come out of it with finger nail marks in the palms of my hands?

Cool Factor

Impress me. Please.

The End

If the character I liked the most died, you will hear about it (no spoilers, just rage). If the end made no sense, I will let you know. Or if the end left me teary eyed and/or wishing for more, I’ll express that as well.

Overall Enjoyment

I know I liked a movie if I cheer in the theater, have to keep from clapping or wish I had another package of tissues in my purse. The same goes for books. I enjoy books and movies, and usually find some part of the experience to love. You’ll hear about that here.

The scores will then be added up. The amount of points the movie/book scores will determine the belt ranking it gets.