Double Feature: Ferdinand & Jumanji : Welcome to the Jungle

One is about a gentle giant who doesn't like to fight, the other of a game that unleashes a jungle jamboree. Both originated from a children's book, previously received the big screen treatment, and now given a theatrical new look for audiences.

Based on the children's book by Munro Leaf, The Story of Ferdinand is about a bull who despite his enormous size and strength would rather smell flowers than fight in the arena. Disney produced the Oscar-winning short in 1938, and the book has been referenced in other forms of media like The Blind Side. Now we have Blue Sky giving it a shot; a studio who when not doing an Ice Age sequel can deliver decent material like The Peanuts Movie and Horton Hears a Who. Ferdinand may not reach those heights it's a cute and funny film that I would put right behind Pixar's Coco as the second best animated film of the year.  

Lupe (Kate McKinnon) trying to train Ferdinand (John Cena)

I can't remember the last time time I enjoyed the voice-acting. The cast doesn't disappoint with Kate McKinnon and David Tennant being the comic standouts but the big surprise is not one but two athletes. John Cena voices the titular character and does a convincing job; ironic how a famous wrestler like Cena voices a similarly buff character but is a lover not a fighter. For his first voice job, Peyton Manning isn't too shabby as a comedic side character, in which this movie is filled with.

This is where some of the gripes come in, many of these comedic characters have humor that miss their mark on more than one occasion particularly the hedgehogs who go overload with the cuteness but prove to be essential as the story progresses. Wish I could say the same with the flamboyant horses who were ear-grating every time they pranced onscreen. The first act with Ferdinand being away from the bull ranch starts out generic but like the hedgehogs gains ground as the story veers into the second act.

Another aspect I appreciated is that while there are pompous and egotistical charters like the horses and the matador they aren't made into fully-fledged villains; a move that Pixar has masterfully done. The movie can be surprisingly dark, nothing children can't handle but again I have to give Blue Sky props for taking a bold direction. While unbalanced by some humor that kids will chortle at, Ferdinand makes up with a colorful cast, songs from Nick Jonas and Colombian singer Juanes (who also lends his voice in the film), and amount of heart that rivals The Iron Giant. 

Final Verdict: B+

____________________________________________________________________

The original film starring Robin Williams was based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg of some unsuspecting kids who find a board game that lets loose a jungle chaos. For years the game remains intact; as stated in the film's trailer, who plays board games anymore. Seeing how video games are the new norm, the game takes on a new form. This time four high students in detention who as soon as they push the start button are transported into the world of Jumanji. Spencer the geeky nerd becomes the bulky and smoldering Dwayne Johnson, Fridge the football jock is now the short and loudmouth Kevin Hart,  Martha the quirky girl is the femme fatale Karen Gillam and Bethany the Instagram diva is the chubby and funny Jack Black. The game has changed but the rules remain the same, complete the game and all goes back to normal.

Even with a promising cast, concerns arose about this being a continuation of the 1995 film and with the passing of Robin Williams, but rest assure Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a fun ride that also pays homage to the late comedian in a brief and touching scene. Like Wreck-it-Ralph, the film succeeds on where many video-game turned movies (Super Mario Bros, Mortal Kombat, Assassins Creed) have failed by capturing the feel and fun of a video game along with the game-play mechanics from the player's stats, NCPs, and live count. I like the new addition of bringing the players into the game, a concept furthered explored in the Jumanji animated series from 1996.

As a kid I remember seeing the cartoon first then the movie

Some might complain on the overabundance of CGI and the bland villain played by Bobby Cannavale (who I just realize is also in Ferdinand) but it works here being a video game environment. I could have done with less raunchy humor that while admittedly funny, it over-stays its welcome, then again this is the same guy who directed Bad Teacher and Sex Tape so I shouldn't be that surprised.

Coincidence that a Jonas Brother happens to be in these two movies?

Having written a song in Ferdinand, Nick Jonas gets a chance to shine his acting chops. Without going into spoilers his arc is the more emotional of the bunch. Nice to see a Jonas Brother in a good film. Other last minute complaints include some characters that could have used more development and how the game is first found at the beginning. Jumanji :Welcome to the Jungle is a virtual roller-coaster that while not for kids, teens and adults who grew up with original will have a good time.

Final Verdict: B-