Sometimes it's best to stick with what works when trying to create a successful sequel. That seems to be the approach taken with “Jumanji: The Next Level,” an energetic, funny, and wildly amusing follow-up to the popular 2017 reboot, "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle." The basic plot is quite similar, although there are some changes added for extra laughs. Now in college, Spencer (Alex Wolff), Martha (Morgan Turner), Fridge (Ser’Darius Blain), and Bethany (Madison Iseman) are home together for the holidays. Spencer has been feeling down lately and, wanting to recapture that sense of bravery he once had, decides to go back into the game. It quickly turns into a rescue mission, and the others must join him to get him out. But this time, things have changed within the game itself. The levels are more difficult, and they’ve unexpectedly gained two new players: Spencer's Grandpa Eddie (Danny DeVito) and his friend Milo (Danny Glover). This movie was clearly made for those who enjoyed the previous film, and it’s hard to imagine anyone being disappointed with this second installment. It’s a pleasant reunion with characters you like spending time with, and there are fun references back to the earlier movie—something that doesn't often happen with sequels, but here, the quality holds up well. When the story introduces some amusing changes, it gives the actors a chance to really go all out. The characters are all mixed up, except for Martha, who returns as her original character, Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan). Fridge is now the overweight cartographer Professor Shelly Oberon (Jack Black), and Grandpa Eddie has become the muscular Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson). Zoologist Mouse Finbar (Kevin Hart) is now Milo, while Spencer enters the story as a brand new character—one of the film’s best surprises. It's expected that Jack Black will deliver plenty of laughs, but Hart and Johnson also have excellent comedic timing and their interactions are consistently hilarious, particularly when they're portraying their older characters within the game. DeVito is a welcome addition with his grumpy personality; he provides some of the biggest laughs in his brief role. There are many exciting action scenes that fit well with the fast-paced fantasy adventure. The feeling of genuine danger enhances the film because it increases the emotional impact. Likewise, the theme of friendship creating a sense of family will likely move you by the end. The movie gets right to the entertaining parts without unnecessary introductions, and the story is familiar from the first one. There isn't much new in terms of plot, but that hardly matters when the film is such an enjoyable experience.

Source on TMDB