Jungle Cruise is a 2021 fantasy adventure-comedy film produced by Walt Disney Pictures and directed by Jaume Collet-Serra.
Known for his creative directing with mystery, thriller and horror themed films since the days of 2005 and 2009’s horror films - House of Wax and Orphan, Collet-Serra was able to bring the fantastical and mysterious elements of this movie to life.
In the 16th century, legend had it that a group of Spanish Knights, led by Don Aguirre (Edgar Ramirez) went on a dangerous mission to South America searching for the ‘Tears of the Moon; a mythical tree in the Amazon with flowers that have healing, curing and curse lifting powers.
The desperation of the surviving Knights made them ungrateful to the tribe that helped and healed them with the same flower they were seeking when they refused to reveal its location. They stab the Chief (Pedro Lopez) and burn down the village, and as a result, they were cursed by the dying Chief – to be forever and immortally bound to the Amazon river area and recaptured by the Jungle whenever they strayed far from it or tried to escape.
Four centuries later, a scientist and ‘Tears of the Moon’ researcher, Dr Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt), after stealing an old artifact she believes to be the key to finding the unique tree, hurriedly sets off to Brazil on the same mission in the company of her unenthusiastic brother, MacGregor Houghton (Jack Whitehall). She enlists the help of a suspicious and morally questionable skipper and guide - Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) who captains his own old and rugged boat.
Between the dangers of the waters and the jungle, MacGregor’s obvious discomfort in the whole environment, the hostility and chemistry between Lily and Frank, they had more than enough to deal with. The last thing they needed was Prince Joachim (Jesse Plemons), a greedy, ambitious, and very treacherous German royalty who is looking for the same tree, and very determined to stop them.
The film centres around a mythical story that bursts into life, and the journey through it entertains and absorbs. It also had pretty good special effects and amazing CGI. There was definitely a lot of creativity with regards to the set and costumes. Of course, there was also an ensemble of talented actors that meshed together to deliver an exciting film.
Plus, who doesn’t love a Dwayne Johnson movie? His ability to play characters that are strong, sexy, yet a barrel of laughs, just makes him one of the most alluring actors on screen, and let’s face it, he fits in well with the jungle or jungle-like scenes. I definitely loved him in 2018’s sci-fi monster film – Rampage, as well as 2017’s Fantasy adventure-comedy Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and its follow-up in 2019, Jumanji: Next Level
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I find Emily Blunt, a very charismatic and versatile actress. From playing a slightly paranoid and depressed recovering alcoholic in 2016’s psychological suspense-thriller - Girl on a Train, to a caring, calm and protective mother in 2018’s horror film – A Quite Place. In Jungle Cruise, her character is brave, proud, curious, adventurous, and intelligent, and she pulls it all off remarkably. Comedian, presenter and Brit Awards host, Jack Whitehall, playing her uppity sweet and wimpy brother, adds a lovely and funny aspect to the movie as a whole.
Edgar Ramirez has a gift for playing good guys and bad guys perfectly well, while managing to still look very attractive with his beautiful Latin eyes and spicy accent. I remember his prominent role as Mendoza, the courageous Spanish priest in 2014’s supernatural horror film – Deliver Us from Evil. Oh, and we shouldn’t forget Ares, the traitor son of Zeus, and god of war & violence in 2012’s action-fantasy film – Wrath of the Titans.
We see Paul Giamatti play an interesting role too, albeit small, compared to his big presence as Chuck Rhoades in American powerful hedge fund and financial market TV series – Billions.
Jesse Plemons already showed how well he can portray a baddie with his role as Todd Alquist in Season 5’s famous American TV crime-drama series – Breaking Bad. Does anyone else think he looks like legendary English actor and comedian, Benny Hill?
There were a couple of things in the film that didn't add up for me, but I won't mention them so as not to give away any spoilers.
By the way, I should mention that legend also has it that Jungle Cruise was based on the theme park ride in Disneyland😊
I totally loved the cast, and they went a long way in making it a very interesting watch. The movie wasn't as mega awesome as I had built it up in my head or imagined it would be, but it delivered what it promised, and I quite enjoyed it.
If you are a fan of the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, then you will really like this film. Rating? 7 out of 10.
Currently showing in Cinemas.
Further Information
Director
Screenwriters
as Frank Wolff
as Lily Houghton
as MacGregor Houghton
as Aguirre
as Prince Joachim
as Nilo
as Trader Sam
as Sancho
as Melchor
as Gonzalo
as Sir James Hobbs-Coddington
as Chief
as Chief's Daughter
as Society Member
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