The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
Film Review
NEVER in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine watching and enjoying a Dwayne Johnson movie.
But it happened!
I was intrigued by Johnson’s performance in “Jungle Cruise”, a fantasy adventure film that sees Disney go back to its roots and over-deliver.
Until recently, I have always been of the opinion that Johnson is nothing more than a sub-par actor who lacks the ‘big draw’ aura.
While productions he features in guarantee huge numbers on the box office, you get very little in terms of substance.
But “Jungle Cruise” could actually have come to change this trend.
The film follows Dr Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) and her loyal brother MacGregor (Jake Whitehall) as they go in search of a mythical tree whose petals are believed to have the power to cure any illness, heal any injury and lift any curse.
Known as Tears of the Moon, the tree has been subject to many unsuccessful treasure hunts and expeditions.
However, the Houghton siblings stumble upon the missing clue, an ancient artefact known as the ‘Arrowhead’, which leads them to the Amazon jungle.
They meet a skipper, Frank Wolff (Johnson), and pay him to take them into the depths of the Amazon, where this treasure is protected by wild animals, fiery rapids and many other dangers.
Also, unbeknown to the three, a German aristocrat Prince Joachim (Jesse Plemons) is also searching for this treasure to turn the tide of the Great War.
If you were born before the year 2000, you will be acquainted with Disney’s track record in fantasy films.
With a list that includes “Pirates of the Caribbean” movies, “Prince of Persia”, “Chronicles of Narnia”, “Alice Through The Looking Glass”, to name but a few, Disney has had a very good success rate in the genre.
Some would even say that they have an outstanding repertoire.
The 2017 purchase of 21st Century Fox and the reacquisition of most of the Marvel properties may have changed things.
And, it is for this reason why “Jungle Cruise” seems so refreshing.
The movie is not without its flaws, but Johnson and Blunt superb performances cover up everything.
Blunt shines as the idealistic but brave protagonist Lily Houghton, a botanist with a lifelong obsession with the Tears of the Moon treasure.
Whitehall is discernibly there for comic relief, and delivers.
The Englishman’s part is perfectly written and his back story cements his role in the treasure hunt.
It is also easy to see his undying loyalty to his sister. Johnson delivers one of his top-class performances as the shrewd, cynical, but noble skipper.
The chemistry between Blunt and Johnson is out of this world, starting off butting heads and growing to a place of mutual respect.
My negative perceptions of his character were successfully wiped by his surprising comic timing and the added twist that I did not see coming.
In fact, the twist is arguably one of the best parts of the movie.
Honourable mention goes to Plemons, who delivers a near-flawless act on his role as Prince Joachim.
However, his German accent could have used a little more polishing.
