Jumanji

General		Extras
Category	Fantasy	Theatrical Trailer(s)	None
Rating		Other Trailer(s)	Yes, 1 - CT DVD Trailer
Year Released	1995	Commentary Tracks	None
Running Time	100 minutes	Other Extras	None
RSDL/Flipper	No/No	Cast & Crew
Start Up	Menu
Region	4	Director	Joe Johnston
Studio Distributor	Columbia Tristar	Starring	Robin Williams Kirsten Dunst David Alan Grier Bonnie Hunt Jonathan Hyde Bebe Neuwirth
RRP	$34.95	Music	James Horner

Video		Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame	No	MPEG	5.1
Widescreen Aspect Ratio	1.78:1	Dolby Digital	5.1
16x9 Enhancement	Yes	Soundtrack Languages	English (MPEG 2.0 ) English (MPEG 5.1) English (Dolby Digital 5.1)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio	1.85:1
Macrovision	Yes
Subtitles	English Cantonese Italian Greek Hebrew Polish Czech Hungarian

    We then skip 26 years into the future, where the game is rediscovered by Judy (Kirsten Dunst) and Peter (Bradley Pierce). They begin to play as well, and bad things start appearing for them as well. One good thing that happens is that Alan Parrish returns from the world of Jumanji as an adult (Robin Williams). They quickly determine that they must finish the game in order for everything to be made alright again, but they need Sarah as an adult to help (Bonnie Hunt). The game conjures up more and more nasties as they progress through the game, which is what the movie is all about.

    There are some spectacular visual effects in this movie, and there are some very cheesy ones as well, such as the very fake-looking lion. However, viewed as escapist entertainment, this movie succeeds admirably, aided by a very aggressive sound mix and a nice musical score.

Video

    The transfer is presented at an aspect ratio of 1.78:1, 16x9 enhanced.

    The transfer was razor sharp and crystal clear throughout, except for a very few shots which looked a little grainy. I felt that some of the movie was perhaps a bit darker than I would have expected given the footage, but this was a minor issue. Shadow detail is excellent and there is no low level noise.

    The colours tended to be a little on the muted side at times, though at other times they were quite vibrant.

    No MPEG artefacts were seen. Film-to-video artefacts were non-existent. Film artefacts were generally few and far between, though there were more of them present in this transfer than is usually the case for contemporary transfers.

    There are three subtitle faults in this transfer, where subtitles come on and are superimposed over the burned-in subtitles on the image itself; at 1:43, 2:03 and 14:45. This is a mastering fault, but is only a minor annoyance.

Audio

    I felt that the level of the English Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack was set quite high, but listened to it at my usual listening level nonetheless.

    Dialogue was mostly clear, though there were a few times when loud dialogue sounded slightly distorted.

    There were no audio sync problems.

    The score by James Horner was frequently used, and accompanied the on-screen action admirably.

     The surround channels were very aggressively used, with frequent use of split surround effects. The most remarkable use of this is when things are swirling into the game, where you can hear the sound swirling around you in 360°. They are frequently active at other times as well, however, and create a highly enveloping experience.

    The .1 channel was used very aggressively for music and special effects.

    If not for the slight distortion on dialogue, this soundtrack would have received a reference rating. Nonetheless, it is an excellent soundtrack that is ideally suited for showing off your sound system.

Menu

    The video quality is very good, but perhaps a bit dark overall.

    The audio quality is excellent, and virtually perfect. It has a very aggressive surrounding presence.

    The extras present are very limited.

Video
Audio
Extras	nil
Plot
Overall

© Michael Demtschyna
24th February 1999