Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is a movie reboot that no one asked for and everyone was skeptical initially. Yet, it became the biggest surprise hit of 2017 that exceeded the quality and execution of the 1995 Robin Williams movie and produce an equally successful sequel in The Next Level.
It is thanks to an aesthetic transition from a board game coming to the real world to the real world entering a videogame. And that brought to life clever action sequences and committed cast that had them play against type. As a result, the characters become worth following until the end.
Anthony "Fridge" Johnson
The jock of the bunch, Fridge is a star athlete at his school. And he would do everything to stay in his team, even if it means bribing his “friend” Spencer to do his homework. His athleticism and his boastfulness get tested in the Jumanji universes when he possessed the avatar, diminutive zoologist Mouse Finbar.
But to his advantage, Fridge uses his strategic instincts to outwit the villainous Professor van Pelt and learns the value of teamwork. After their adventure, he becomes more humble with others and reconciles with Spencer.
Spencer Gilpin
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is an accidental sendup to The Breakfast Club. Thus, the character of Spencer Gilpin is the motley crew’s brain. Like Brian Johnson of the latter movie, Spencer is smart but phobic on almost everything. He was once close to Fridge, but had a fallout prior.
When he and the group were transported to Jumanji, Spencer needed to adapt to his new avatar, Dr. Smolder Bravestone, even though Bravestone is actually invincible and skillful. But using his knowledge in videogames, Spencer gains confidence he greatly needs.
Nigel Billingsley
The only primary NPC that does not try to kill them, Nigel Billingsley serves as the primary guide for the players of Jumanji. He mostly serves for exposition on what threats do the players have to deal with and how to begin their next move.
While Nigel only serves for that purpose, comedian Rhys Darby brings some charm to him to make him worth sticking around. And even though he bookends the quest, him knowing a lot of information about the avatars makes him reliable for two different Jumanji adventures.
Martha Kaply
Like Spencer, Martha Kaply is intelligent and thoughtful. But she is rather cynical and unruly when it comes to the school authority. It is no wonder that Spencer likes her. On her time possessing the avatar Ruby Roundhouse, she initially chastised her suggestive gear that she finds impractical in a jungle.
With the help of her new companions, Martha is able to overcome her insecurities, embracing her and her avatar’s confident side. By the time she gets back, she seizes her time with her newfound friends. The basket case becomes found.
Jefferson "Seaplane" McDonough
Jefferson “Seaplane” McDonough turns out to be the fifth avatar in Jumanji. He is a charismatic pilot with in-depth knowledge of Jumanji’s geography. During his time, Seaplane stayed at Alan Parrish’s treehouse and discovered his skill to make margaritas. The downside is he never gets to the next level.
Once Seaplane rescued Bravestone and company, they discover that Seaplane was actually Alex Vreeke, the missing teen from twenty years. Propelled by the gang’s determination to finish the game, Seaplane takes initiative to fly the gang to the next level.
Franklin "Mouse" Finbar
Mouse Finbar is the group’s signature zoologist and Dr. Bravestone’s weapons valet. His weaknesses however are strength, speed and cake, much to Fridge’s frustration. Thus, he works around with his on-the-spot knowledge on Jumanji’s exotic wildlife and serves as a distraction to obtain the Jaguar’s Eye from the raging albino rhinos.
Kevin Hart basically plays as himself with Finbar, employing his fast-talking dialogue and signature humor. Being at odds with Spencer, Fridge continues that while possessing the avatar Finbar, allowing hilarious interplay with Dwayne Johnson’s Dr. Bravestone to be at play.
Bethany Walker
Out of all the teens, Bethany Walker perhaps has the most character development. She is the self-absorbed teen whose attention is always on her phone. Because of this distracting her class, she was sent to detention. And as she entered the game proper, she was given an avatar that is way out of her depth.
Without choice, Bethany has to learn and adapt on Professor Shelly Oberon’s body. In the end, she finds value in being selfless to others, and becomes willing to sacrifice and share part of her life.
Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon
Professor Sheldon Oberon is the group’s best cartographer. He has helpful knowledge for their quest, including first aid. Like Fridge, however, he has weak agility. Yet, he helpfully navigates the group around Jumanji, unlocking each level and discovering new terrain for them to surpass.
Possessing Shelly, Bethany struggles to stay in her composure. But feeling the urgency, she helped Martha/Ruby gain confidence with her sexiness and motivated Seaplane/Alex to fly them to the next level. And with the funny guidance of Jack Black, Shelly Oberon is an amusing adventurer.
Ruby Roundhouse
Then, there is Ruby Roundhouse, the “killer of men” and martial arts expert. From the group, she has the most balanced skills that become handy to thwart van Pelt’s goons and maneuver over to return the Jaguar’s Eye. But she has venom as her weakness.
Inhabiting the avatar, Martha criticized her scantily-clad design and was insecure about her specialties. But sooner, she embraced her avatar. Karen Gillan was truly effective on acting as a geeky type (especially on her attempting to flirt), then progressing as a competent and confident heroine.
Dr. Xander "Smolder" Bravestone
The primary protagonist of the revamped Jumanji games, Dr. Smolder Bravestone is a skilled archaeologist and courageous explorer who leads the adventure with smoldering intensity. He is essentially the stock hero wherein locals know about his heroics and enemies cower over his lack of weaknesses.
Dwayne Johnson lands flawlessly as the heroic Dr. Bravestone. Since he is inhabited by the meek Spencer, he tends to forget that Bravestone is invincible. Thus, Johnson is basically playing a nervous video game-loving teen controlling the body of Dwayne Johnson. And it is truly fun.