Jumanji


Recently, I watched the updated version of Jumanji and found that there was some humor in the movie, reading this article helped me to analyze the type of humor used in this movie. The characters in the movie are transported into a video game that they began to play together. That is where the irony in the movie begins because as they are transported into the movie their bodies transform into the avatars they had picked for the game. What makes the characters transformation into the video game funny is how they are transformed into bodies that are not at all like their actual selves. This came as such a surprise to the audience that once the viewer recognized who was who in the game it was quite humorous. 
After doing some background research on the movie I discovered that the director of Jumanji is actually more famously known for his work in comedy movies, which is likely why this rendition of Jumanji came across as a bit more of a comedy. Reflecting on other parts of this movie made me analyze the humor and how it affected the overall tone of the movie. If the movie did not have that element of humor in it then the tone would have been much more serious and intense instead of light hearted and entertaining. The actors used to portray the avatars in the video game were very strategic and helped to add to the overall humor of the situation. For instance, Jack Black and Kevin Hart were two of the actors that were used in the movie who are known for their comedic backgrounds. 
The humor persisted throughout the movie because of how the actors were able to stay true to the original teenagers' personalities even though they did not look like their actual selves. This aspect also contributed to the sense of irony in the movie. For example, one of the teenagers, who was quite girly and dramatic, transformed into the actor Jack Black who was portraying a scientist that studies maps and fossils. Kevin Hart added an element of the Superiority theory because he portrays an avatar that is not fast or strong and is short; in real life the personality that Kevin Hart is portraying is of a strong, tall football player. Throughout the movie you can tell that he is struggling with his weaknesses in the game and the fact that he is no longer superior to all of the other people around him.

Comments

  1. Shane HerronSeptember 5, 2018 at 10:10 AM

    Is it the fact that we feel superior to Kevin Hart, or that someone like that is placed in a very incongruous situation?

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousSeptember 9, 2018 at 1:10 PM

    I liked your comment on how humor was the tool used to soften the movie to make it more enjoyable for children and therefore not being so harsh and intense.

    ReplyDelete

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