Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (Jake Kasdan) - 2017
This movie is a hoot. It is not a remake of the 1995 Robin Williams movie but the game is similar. Four high-school teenagers start playing an ancient board and thrown into a virtual world where their avatars face dangers in the jungle and must solve a mystery/puzzle so they can get home safely. The game is played with humor among the characters and there is really little doubt of a final outcome. But the adventure is fun. The success of this second "Jumanji" should set up a series of sequels with different avatars in different settings. I am not a fan of confusing virtual-reality films like the Matrix series. However, when the game is played for fun and harmless adventure, it is very entertaining. Bring on the Jumanji sequels! [JAM 1/13/2018]