Jumanji MPAA Rating: PG Entertainment: +4 Content: +2

As advertised, JUMANJI is definitely an extraordinary movie. It takes place in a small town in New Hampshire in 1969. A young boy named Allen Parrish finds an ancient magical game called Jumanji buried near his father's shoe factory. Out of curiosity, he rolls the dice and is violently drawn into the game's "eye" and whisked way to an unknown jungle world. But he returns 26 years later when another young boy (Bradley Pierce) and his young sister (Kirsten Dunst) find the game. They inadvertently roll the dice, bringing Allen back as a grown man played by Robin Williams. But the game continues to haunt them and the three of them, plus Allen's former girlfriend, Sarah (Bonnie Hunt), recognize they must play a complete game to rid themselves of it. With every roll of the dice, a monstrous catastrophe is hurled upon them. They are attacked by wild monkeys, giant spiders and mosquitos and a ferocious lion and are threatened by a vicious hunter, a wild animal stampede, a raging flood and a crocodile. How they survive these horrendous threats makes for a very exciting adventure with spectacular special effects. JUMANJI is definitely too intense for young children, but older children, teenagers and adults will find it an exhilarating movie adventure.

The magical powers associated with the game could be occultic but they seem more like magical fantasy. Even if the forces have evil demonic origins, the four players only engage in the game to rid themselves of it without condoning or glorifying its powers. At the same time, traditional family values are expressed by Allen's parents who love him dearly, even though his father is harsh and dictatorial at times. Further, the dialogue contains only three mild crude words and one profanity, and there is no sexual content or suggestive dialogue. The violent catastrophic events are intense and often frightening. However, there are no on-screen injuries or killings, although some victims are shown being placed in an ambulance. The intense action may frighten small children, but overall JUMANJI has only limited objectionable elements.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Columbia -TriStar Pictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232