At the Theater

They did a decent job of resurrecting the “Jumanji” film franchise without ruining the loyalty of the original film with Robin Williams. However, Hollywood doesn’t like to do too many things without a sequel…provided the first release did well financially. So, now we have “Jumanji: The Next Level.”

In this episode, the gang is back but the game has changed. As they return to rescue one of their own, the players will have to brave parts unknown from arid deserts to snowy mountains, to escape the world’s most dangerous game.

Again however, whereas most of the buzz has been about Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson, my buzz would be about Jack Black. So far, Jack has been more versatile in his acting career than Johnson. For me, Johnson belongs in the same category as Sly Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jason Statham, Vin Diesel and others who made their careers on great-looking physiques and action characters. The tendency is that, whatever character they’re playing, it’s always the Rock or Sly or Jason or Vin that you’re seeing. Don’t get me wrong: I enjoy watching their stuff. I just think Jack Black, even when he’s being a comedian (maybe especially when he’s being a comedian), has a little more depth to enjoy. Watching Black play a man stuck in a video game who’s supposed to be a girl stuck in a video game is an absolute riot.

And what’s the thing with the horse? The poster image shows the four main characters standing in a row, like they’re lined up for a race. And there’s a black horse there, too. Thing is, the horse isn’t always in the same place. Come and find out.

Jumanji: The Next Level plays February 7-11 at the Liberty. For more information visit us at http://www.libertytheater.org.