You hear Disney's making movie based on the Jungle Cruise ride, it's hard not to roll your eyes. Yeah, sure, that might've worked out for them on Pirates of The Caribbean (I'd argue that, on a purely creative level, it only really worked the first time around, but I suppose there's no arguing with the franchise's worldwide box office take), but what're the odds of that happening again?
But then you learn that the Jungle Cruise movie will star The Rock, Emily Blunt, and Jesse Plemons (Hey, we like those people!). Then you learn that the film's being directed by noted lunatic Jaume Collet-Serra, the director behind such films as Orphan, House of Wax, The Commuter and Non-Stop. And then you find out the script was written by Michael Green (Blade Runner 2049), Glen Ficarra (I Love You, Philip Morris) and John Requa (Bad Santa). Yes, it's still a movie based on a theme park ride, but that's a whole lotta talent in the mix. Reason enough not to write the whole thing off out of hand.
We have therefore been wondering what kind of shape Jungle Cruise might take ever since it was announced, and today brings us our very first look at the film. Let's see what it has to offer...
Yeah, okay, we'll totally watch that. Jungle Cruise looks a little bit like The African Queen, a little bit like The Mummy (the Brendan Fraser one, not the Dark Universe one), and a little bit Pirates of The Caribbean. High energy, charming actors being extremely charming, the impression that you're watching millions and millions of dollars play out onscreen. This looks like a perfectly reasonable way to spend two hours in an air-conditioned movie theater next July. We'll take it.
While you're here, check out the new poster:
What do y'all make of this? Interested in Jungle Cruise? Not so much? Curious to see how weird shit will get with Collett-Serra at the helm? Sound off in the comments below, and stay tuned for more on this one as further updates become available. Jungle Cruise hits theaters on July 24th, 2020.