There are endless reasons why viewers keep returning again and again to the original 1995 version of Jumanji. For one, it's the very first in what is now considered a series of films related to the infamous jungle game, and so fans of the more contemporary movies might trace back to the origin of the intricate plot lines. But, more importantly, and hopefully more commonly, people keep watching Jumanji because there's simply so much to love about it. That being said, old loves don't always age well.
From the iconic Robin Williams performance to the old-fashioned special effects, the film is rife with nostalgic content. It also holds some exciting scares and thrills without sacrificing its family-friendly quality. Yet, it's 2020 now, and much has changed since 1995, leaving some aspects of the film to stand out like a sore thumb.
Aged Well: The Kids' Response To Their Parents' Death
The handling of trauma doesn't always age well in films. Moods and minds change in relation to mental illness, and it isn't always represented well. With the deaths of Peter and Judy's parents fresh in the story, it's expected that the children would be strongly influenced by this, and it's actually dealt with pretty well. Both Peter and Judy have very different ways of coping, with Peter going silent and Judy telling elaborate lies to make light of the situation. This represents the varying ways one can deal with grief.
Didn't Age Well: Mr. Parrish's Treatment Of His Wife
Mr. Parrish is a bit of a difficult character. It's accounted for that he's meant to have a bad temper and that he isn't very good at dealing with his emotions in relation to his son, but his blunt and dictatorial manner toward his wife, as he talks over her and orders her around when she tries to discuss Alan with him, goes unchecked in the movie.
Aged Well: Sara Calling Her Therapist
When Sara is faced with Alan returning to the normal world, showing up at her door and then, once she passes out, consequently carrying her to the Parrish house, Sara immediately calls her therapist.
This is made to be comical, with Sara stating they might have to up her dose of medication as she thinks she's hallucinating, but it also speaks to something that is still common today; people's out of the ordinary experiences being assumed crazy and resulting in them being medicated.
Didn't Age Well: Tricking Sara To Drop The Dice
Alan insists that Sara has to play the game with them, but, when she begs him not to make her, he gives in and says he will take the dice back from her.
Instead of taking them, though, Alan moves his hand away suddenly, resulting in Sara rolling the dice and therefore taking part in the game. This is played for laughs, but the duplicitous move makes Alan come across as a bit of a tactless brute.
Aged Well: Alan Bonding With Peter
Alan and Peter have a bumpy patch in their relationship, with Alan treating Peter much the same way this his own father treated him. But, when Alan discovers the hurt he is causing Peter, he catches himself and recognizes the unhealthy behaviors he is perpetuating through bluntness and performed macho attitudes. When Alan breaks this role and gives Peter a hug, it presents a challenge of toxic masculinity that is still relevant today.
Didn't Age Well: Dragging Sara Into The House
Another scene that completely disregards consent is when Sara attempts to leave the Parrish house and Alan chases her and physically forces her back into the house, pulling her by the arm until she finally sits down on the couch to play the game with them.
This might seem in good fun, but it misses an opportunity to take mental health more seriously and acknowledge the serious damage Sara has suffered. For all Alan knows, Sara could suffer a mental collapse from playing the game.
Aged Well: Sara And Alan Realizing They Were Both Alone
Sara and Alan have a bit of competition when it comes to who suffered more from the game they started as children. At first, it seems obvious that Alan would win, but, upon closer consideration, Sara's story is difficult in its own way.
Sara wasn't put in the jungle, but she remained in a world that she could no longer relate to, with anybody who would ever believe the life-altering trauma she underwent. In this way, she and Alan were both alone.
Aged Well: Sara's Interest In Astrology
Something that will very much hit home for viewers today is Sara's interest in astrology. When Alan behaves flippantly or without consideration for the others around him, Sara merely rolls her eyes and refers to his star sign, telling Peter not to listen to him because "he's a libra."
Didn't Age Well: Alan And Carl's Age Difference
It's meant to be twenty-six years between the first and second parts of the movie, and, when Alan comes back out of the game, it's arguable that he looks even older than he's supposed to be. This can be excused easily enough until he stands in contrast to Carl, who was already an adult when Alan was a child. At this point, they look equal in age—if anything, Carl looks younger!
Didn't Age Well: The Police Officer's Obsession With Alan
The Police officer stops Alan simply because he looks unusual. This is strange in the first place, but it gets worse when the Officer continues to ignore his other, actual important duties, in order to seek out Alan again all based on a hunch that he seems suspicious. This either ages very well, as the issue of police misconduct is very relevant today, or it ages badly, in the way that it portrays a Police Officer behaving this way as normal and acceptable.