Jungle Cruise (2021)

Dr. Lily Houghton (Emily Blunt) enlists the aid of wisecracking skipper Frank Wolff (Dwayne Johnson) to take her down the Amazon in his dilapidated boat. Together, they search for an ancient tree that holds the power to heal – a discovery that will change the future of medicine.

A fun, good old-fashioned, family-friendly, fantasy, adventure, comedy movie that pays homage to The African Queen, Romancing the Stone, and Indiana Jones. The two leads are great with Emily Blunt shining as Dr Lily Houghton. Blunt lifts this movie to heights it wouldn’t reach without her but the chemistry between her and Johnson works well.
The story is a fast-paced adventure with lots of Dad jokes (from Johnson) and clever comedic action. The dialogue between Blunt and Johnson is fast and witty (even with the dad jokes) and characters are developed with enough for us to feel like we care about them. The cinematography is great with mostly (but not always) top-notch CGI. Overall, I don’t know whether the movie is as much as the Disney ride it’s based on, but the movie is an enjoyable ride and suitable for kids aged 11+.

(In cinemas in Australia – check your movie guide for your local show times. You can watch it streaming on Disney+ for an additional fee on top of your subscription. Check your local streaming providers for availability.)