Jumanji
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce
After being trapped in Jumanji for 26 years, Alan Parrish (Robin Williams) wins his freedom from the deadly game. Alan soon realizes, however, that he, along with childhood friend, Sarah (Bonnie Hunt), and two children named Judy and Peter, must face their fears and finish what they began more than two decades before to stop the game’s magic once and for all.
I think the essence of the movie centers entirely on the relationship between Alan and his father, Samuel Parrish (Jonathan Hyde).
In the beginning, Alan believed he was living in his father's shadow and he found himself struggling to live up to this proud and noble legacy that his family had created. He desperately wanted his father's approval and affection, but he felt like he would never become the man that his father wanted him to be, so rather than submit to his father’s will, he threatens to run away. Things take a dramatic turn however when a fateful role of the dice finds Alan trapped within a board game for 26 years.
When Alan emerges from the game after the children roll the dice again, he discovers that more than two decades have passed since he vanished inside the game, but more importantly, he discovers the truth; that his father was not the harsh, uncaring man he believed him to be, but rather a man who loved him deeply and devoted his life to finding his son after Alan disappeared. Although he is terrified at the idea of playing the game again, Alan soon realizes that he must face his fear and finish what he and Sarah began 26 years prior if he wants to bring the game's magic to an end.
When Alan is confronted by the hunter, Van Pelt, a character who is a reflection of Alan’s father, Samuel Parrish, Van Pelt is initially a hunter whose only desire is to kill Alan. In truth though, I think this desire is merely a metaphor that reflects the broken relationship between father and son. When Van Pelt confronts Alan again at the end of the game, he asks Alan if he is afraid…and if he wants to run away. This moment is pivotal for Alan’s character because although he is terrified, it is in this moment that Alan remembers his father’s words: that Alan should always face his fear rather than run away from the problem. It is only when Alan acknowledges his fears and tells his father the truth that the bond between father and son is restored and he finally wins the approval and love from his father that he so desperately yearns for.
© 2013 – 2017 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.
Director: Joe Johnston
Cast: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Jonathan Hyde, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce
After being trapped in Jumanji for 26 years, Alan Parrish (Robin Williams) wins his freedom from the deadly game. Alan soon realizes, however, that he, along with childhood friend, Sarah (Bonnie Hunt), and two children named Judy and Peter, must face their fears and finish what they began more than two decades before to stop the game’s magic once and for all.
I think the essence of the movie centers entirely on the relationship between Alan and his father, Samuel Parrish (Jonathan Hyde).
In the beginning, Alan believed he was living in his father's shadow and he found himself struggling to live up to this proud and noble legacy that his family had created. He desperately wanted his father's approval and affection, but he felt like he would never become the man that his father wanted him to be, so rather than submit to his father’s will, he threatens to run away. Things take a dramatic turn however when a fateful role of the dice finds Alan trapped within a board game for 26 years.
When Alan emerges from the game after the children roll the dice again, he discovers that more than two decades have passed since he vanished inside the game, but more importantly, he discovers the truth; that his father was not the harsh, uncaring man he believed him to be, but rather a man who loved him deeply and devoted his life to finding his son after Alan disappeared. Although he is terrified at the idea of playing the game again, Alan soon realizes that he must face his fear and finish what he and Sarah began 26 years prior if he wants to bring the game's magic to an end.
When Alan is confronted by the hunter, Van Pelt, a character who is a reflection of Alan’s father, Samuel Parrish, Van Pelt is initially a hunter whose only desire is to kill Alan. In truth though, I think this desire is merely a metaphor that reflects the broken relationship between father and son. When Van Pelt confronts Alan again at the end of the game, he asks Alan if he is afraid…and if he wants to run away. This moment is pivotal for Alan’s character because although he is terrified, it is in this moment that Alan remembers his father’s words: that Alan should always face his fear rather than run away from the problem. It is only when Alan acknowledges his fears and tells his father the truth that the bond between father and son is restored and he finally wins the approval and love from his father that he so desperately yearns for.
© 2013 – 2017 Keriane Kellogg. All rights reserved.