JUNGLE CRUISE
2021
Directed by:
Jaume Collet-Serra
Screenplay by:
Michael Green, Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Story by:
John Norville, Josh Goldstein, Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Based on:
Walt Disney's Jungle Cruise
Produced by:
John Davis, John Fox, Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, Hiram Garcia
Starring:
Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, Paul Giamatti
REVIEW JANGLES CRUISE
Jungle Cruise" delivers popcorn family fun, but its weak visual effects, questionable stylistic choices, and sluggish pacing—along with a flawed script—often distract from the film's brighter moments.
This isn’t the first time Disney has adapted a theme park ride into a movie. Earlier examples include The Haunted Mansion (2003), led by Eddie Murphy, and, most notably, Pirates of the Caribbean, one of the most successful franchises of all time. Since these rides lacked a concrete narrative, filmmakers had free rein to develop their stories. In Pirates, they introduced Jack Sparrow, a character that changed everything. Now, Disney seeks to repeat that success with Jungle Cruise, an attraction known for its boat tours through the jungle, led by a pun-loving skipper.
The story follows Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), who journeys from London to the Amazon in search of a mythical tree with healing powers that could revolutionize medicine. She enlists the help of Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson), a riverboat captain, to navigate her and her brother McGregor (Jack Whitehall) down the river on his run-down boat, La Quila. As they venture deeper into the jungle, they face supernatural dangers and are pursued by the mad Prince Joachim (Jesse Plemons), whose sinister plans threaten humanity’s future.
Inspired by blockbuster franchises like Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones, with a dash of The African Queen’s romance, Jungle Cruise aims for that same adventurous spirit. From the elaborate set designs to the period costumes, and James Newton Howard’s sweeping score, the film echoes these cinematic influences. In the opening scene, a heist involving Emily Blunt’s character feels like an audition for a female Indiana Jones—and she delivers.
The first act unfolds smoothly as an action-filled romp through the jungle, with dangers mounting as the characters get closer to their goal. But as the second act introduces fantasy elements and curses, the narrative begins to falter. While these elements could work with a more imaginative twist, the film lacks creativity, instead recycling ideas from its predecessors without adding much originality.
There’s still some fun to be had, largely thanks to the chemistry between Blunt and Johnson. Their witty banter and charismatic performances bring life to their otherwise flat characters. Johnson’s Frank is full of dad jokes, while Blunt’s Lily is her usual fearless self. Together, they manage to keep the film afloat, though their efforts can’t completely save it from its flaws.
Unfortunately, Jungle Cruise is weighed down by questionable camera work, subpar visual effects, and uninspired cinematography. The movie isn’t unwatchable, but its over-the-top action sequences lack impact, and the addition of fantasy elements only serves to clutter an already overlong film. By the time it reaches its final act, the story becomes a jumbled mess, losing the charm it had in the beginning.
Despite these shortcomings, Jungle Cruise delivers what it promises: a fun, albeit bloated, adventure. It captures some of the ride’s humor and spectacle, buoyed by the lead actors’ chemistry. However, it sacrifices depth and simplicity in favor of spectacle, which may work for younger audiences, but left me
wanting more.
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