Jumanji Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.5

Jumanji Blu-ray Movie Review

Third time's the charm. Sony has released 'Jumanji' to Blu-ray following up on a pair of previous releases, one from 2011 and the other from 2015. This release features fully restored video sourced from a new 4K scan from the original camera negative and a few new extras. It does not, however, earn the Dolby Atmos soundtrack from the companion UHD. Read on for more on what's new.

Jumanji Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Jumanji's previous forays onto Blu-ray yielded identical good-not-great 1080p images. Sony has returned to the well for a fully restored image of the now aging quasi-classic, and the results are quite stellar. The Blu-ray, which is essentially a 1080p downscale of the 4K UHD, offers a wonderful presentation, laking the HDR finesse and added resolution of its 2160p counterpart but offering otherwise a very comparable presentation. The image retains a fine, complimentary grain structure, one that's consistently even, pleasing, and filmic. Textural bounties are evident throughout; the 1080p resolution is more than enough to reveal intricate skin textures, fine strands of hair, environmental complexities, and the like, all with refined, complex, and effortlessly tangible qualities that push the 1080p format near its limits. The film's color palette is enjoyably robust; the picture can be a little dull by design, but larger splashes of color reveal impressive depth, nuance, and vitality, such as the large man-eating plant. Black levels hold firm and flesh tones appear accurate. It's definitely a step below the UHD, but this is a marked improvement over the previously issued Blu-ray releases.

Jumanji Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Jumanji's Blu-ray features yet again another DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 lossless soundtrack. It clocks in at a lower bitrate than either of the previous two tracks, but one would be hard-pressed to pinpoint any serious differences. The track maintains a general sonic excellence, in musical precision, nuanced environmental effects, and hard-hitting and room-filling action. Dialogue is likewise clear and precise. The track is of course not on the same level as the fabulous Atmos track included on the companion UHD, but Blu-ray fans should not be let down by this presentation.

Jumanji Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Jumanji's latest Blu-ray release contains a few new supplements, which are marked as such and briefly reviewed. Most of the extras from the previous releases carry over, with the exceptions of Jungle Adventure: Virtual Board Game, The Cast of 'Goosebumps' Reflects on 'Jumanji', and 'Goosebumps' Sneak Peek. A UV digital copy code is included with purchase.

• Audio Commentary: Special Effects Crew. From both the 2011 and 2015 releases.
• NEW! Sneak Peek of Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (1080p, 3:13): A preview for the new movie disguised as a featurette.
• NEW! Gag Reel (1080p, 5:19): Funny moments from the shoot.
• NEW! Deleted Scenes (1080p): The Company with Soul (0:38) and Merry Christmas (1:09).
• Making Jumanji: The Realm of Imagination: From both the 2011 and 2015 releases.
• Jumanji Motion Storybook as Read by Author Chris Van Allsburg: From the 2015 release.
• SFX Featurette: Lions and Monkeys and Pods...Oh My!: From both the 2011 and 2015 releases.
• Bringing Down the House: From both the 2011 and 2015 releases.
• Jumanji: The Animated Series: From the 2015 release.
• Storyboard Comparisons: From both the 2011 and 2015 releases.
• NEW! Production Stills (1080p): A collection of still images from the making of the film. Included are Set Photography, Production Design Photos, CTC: 1 Alligator, CTC: 2 Bats, CTC: 3 Monkeys, CTC: 4 Pelican, CTC: 5 Spiders, CTC: 6 Pod, and CTC: 7 Lions. Pictures must be manually advanced via the remote's directional buttons.
• NEW! Conceptual Art (1080p): Includes Alternate Title Treatments, Creatures, and Production Design. Pictures must be manually advanced via the remote's directional buttons.
• NEW! The Extreme Book of Nature (480i, 5:48 total runtime): A collection of very brief featurettes highlighting a number of the frightening creatures that appear in the film. Included are Bats, Crocodiles, Lions, Monkeys, Mosquitoes, Spiders, and Stampede.
• NEW! Ancient Diversions (480i, 14:21 total runtime): Instructions on how perform a few parlor tricks. Includes Disappearing Paper, Invisible Ink, Life After Death, Magic String, Severed Finger, and Mind Reading.
• International Trailer: From the 2015 release.
• "Are You Game" Trailer: From the 2015 release.
• "It's a Jungle In There" Trailer: From the 2015 release.

Jumanji Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

It's hard to call Jumanji a bonafide "classic," but it's a fun and infinitely re-watchable film and one of the better from the late Robin Williams' illustrious career. Sony's latest Blu-ray improves on the picture quality from the previous two releases and adds a few new extras. The companion UHD release features even better picture and Atmos audio. Worth a double (or triple) dip for the strong improvement in picture quality.