A Disneyland-Based-Attraction That Hits The Right Notes (Jungle Cruise)

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Disney has made their fair share of movies based on Disneyland rides, with one of them being a large franchise while the rest of them didn't stick the landing well enough for larger audiences to appreciate such as Brad Bird's underrated Tomorrowland adaptation. Jungle Cruise is Disney's most recent attempt to adapt one of Disneyland's oldest rides into a swashbuckling adventure that stars Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, and Jack Whitehall. 

Jungle Cruise takes place in the 16th century where Dr. Lilly Houghton (Blunt) and her brother, McGregor, attempt to steal an arrowhead from the Royal Society explorers which happen to be the key to finding the Tree of Life that produces Tears of the Moon, with its petals containing healing abilities. The siblings head to the Amazon and meet Frank (Johnson), who helps them in finding the 'Tears while a German aristocrat from the Royal Society chases them to get the petals for himself. 

Jungle Cruise is the summer adventure you don't want to miss as it reutilizes themes that made the Pirates of the Caribbean and Indiana Jones franchises into fan favorites. Jungle Cruise is made for the big screen but any screen is recommended to ensure audiences' safety but the film, unfortunately, relies almost entirely on heavy yet cartoony amounts of CGI that it is almost too hard to differentiate what was shot in location as opposed to green screen. 

The story does succeed in diverting the focus from the disappointing CGI, allowing audiences to really enjoy the banter between Lilly and Frank to the ridiculous antics each character goes through in this Amazon-based adventure. Amidst that, audiences will tend to compare certain instances with scenes from the recent Jumanji sequels, another franchise The Rock currently stars in but will forget about them 3 minutes later, considering how much that goes on in this film. Similarities aside, Jungle Cruise really does incorporate the best of comedy and swashbuckling to at least be considered as yet another Disney hit. 

Lilly and Frank may be the stars and there's no denying it but I have to give praise to Jack Whitehall for being the comedic relief in a film with two large actors. It was honestly sad to see him constantly overshadowed throughout the film and the press conference this past week by the two, 'cause he was just as much in the film as the two of them.  Jesse Plemons and Paul Giamatti did well to be forgettable yet annoying Disney villains that got me wondering how much they were both paid to even be featured in the film considering how each of their arcs was downright predictable and short.

To conclude, Jungle Cruise is a family-friendly Saturday Night-like movie that will leave you at the edge of your seats from start to finish, a quality that pushes all flaws aside to ensure an enjoyable adaventure-like experience. 


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