Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

In the sleepy town of Brantford, New Hampshire, a mysterious board game called Jumanji lay dormant for nearly two decades before it was rediscovered by teenager Alex Vreeke (Mason Guccione / Colin Hanks) in 1996. When Alex initially refused the game, something peculiar occurred: it transformed into a video game cartridge, seemingly drawn to its next victim. Years later, in 2016, four students from Brantford High School found themselves in detention together - Spencer Gilpin (Alex Wolff), a master of creative plagiarism; Anthony "Fridge" Johnson (Ser'Darius Blain), caught up in the same academic dishonesty as his friend; Bethany Walker (Madison Iseman) and Martha Kaply (Morgan Turner), both known for their rebellious streaks. The school's principal (Marc Evan Jackson) saw fit to assign them a task: cleaning out the old, dusty basement. It was there that they stumbled upon Jumanji, a multiplayer action-adventure video game with an uncanny ability to draw in its players.

As Spencer hesitated before hitting the "Start" button, something strange happened - the four teens were suddenly sucked into the game, transported to a lush jungle where each found themselves embodying their respective video game avatars. Spencer became Dr. Smolder Bravestone (Dwayne Johnson), an archaeologist and explorer with unparalleled physical prowess. Fridge took on the persona of Franklin "Mouse" Finbar (Kevin Hart), a diminutive zoologist and weapons specialist whose greatest weakness was his love of cake, as well as his relatively short stature and lack of speed. Martha transformed into Ruby Roundhouse (Karen Gillan), a stunning commando and martial arts expert with skills that rivaled those of Bravestone himself. Meanwhile, Bethany found herself reincarnated as Professor Sheldon "Shelly" Oberon (Jack Black), an overweight cartographer, cryptographer, archaeologist, and paleontologist whose greatest strength was his vast knowledge base, but whose endurance was compromised by his morbid obesity.

As the four teens navigated their new virtual realities, they soon discovered that each of their avatars had unique abilities and weaknesses. Bravestone's only notable shortcoming appeared to be his lack of vulnerability, while Finbar struggled with a plethora of weaknesses, including cake, strength, and speed. Roundhouse was susceptible to venomous attacks from the game's various creatures, much like her counterpart, Bravestone, who seemed impervious to harm. Oberon's greatest hindrance was not so much his physical appearance but rather his limited stamina due to his weight. As they ventured deeper into the jungle, each of these unlikely heroes would have to learn to harness their strengths and compensate for their weaknesses in order to survive the treacherous world of Jumanji.

As the fog lifts from their bewildered minds, the four friends soon come to a startling realization: they are trapped in the digital realm of Jumanji, where every misstep can prove fatal. Their avatars, each with its unique set of skills and vulnerabilities, serve as their only lifeline. With three lives at their disposal, they must navigate the treacherous landscape, lest they suffer the ultimate consequence – actual death.

Their guide, Nigel (Rhys Darby), a wily NPC with a penchant for cryptic advice, sets them on a perilous quest to reclaim the coveted "Jaguar's Eye". This fabled jewel, coveted by the ruthless big-game hunter Russel Van Pelt (Bobby Cannavale), holds the power to manipulate Jumanji's very fabric. The players' only hope lies in returning the jewel to its resting place – an imposing jaguar statue – and uttering the ancient incantation: "Jumanji".

As they embark on their treacherous journey, the group begins to shed lives like autumn leaves, their progress hindered by the unpredictable whims of Jumanji. Cornered by Van Pelt's henchmen, they are rescued by Alex, the enigmatic fifth player whose avatar assumes the persona of Jefferson "Seaplane" McDonough (Nick Jonas), a fearless pilot.

Seeking refuge in a treehouse crafted by Alan Parrish (protagonist of Jumanji), Alex discovers that he has been trapped within the game for two decades. Moved by his plight, the newcomers vow to aid him in his quest for freedom. Together, they commandeer a helicopter and soar towards their destination – the jaguar statue.

However, their triumph is short-lived, as Alex loses his final life following a mosquito's deadly bite. In a heart-pumping sequence of events, Bethany performs CPR, sacrificing one of her own lives to revive him. The group's bond grows stronger as they face the daunting challenges ahead.

Upon arriving at the statue, the players find themselves surrounded by Van Pelt's forces and formidable guardians. Employing their collective skills and teamwork, they distract their foes while Spencer returns the jewel and calls out the ancient incantation. Jumanji begins to unravel, banishing Van Pelt into a swarm of rats.

As the game dissipates, the players revert to their former selves, returning to the real world. However, Alex's fate remains uncertain – he has vanished, leaving behind only whispers of his return. As they reflect on their journey, the friends stumble upon the Vreeke household, once abandoned and neglected, now restored to its former glory. An adult Alex appears, having returned to 1996, altering the course of history. Now married, with a daughter named Bethany in honor of her savior, his gratitude echoes through the years.

As the dust settles on their tumultuous adventure, Spencer (actor name) and Fridge finally find common ground, their reconciliation marked by a newfound sense of camaraderie. Meanwhile, Bethany's transformation is nothing short of remarkable as she emerges from her experiences with a renewed sense of purpose and a thirst for excitement that can only be quenched by the open road. With plans to embark on another thrilling backpacking trip, it's clear that this young woman has learned valuable lessons about resilience and self-discovery.

In a heartwarming turn of events, Martha finds love in the unlikeliest of places - with none other than Spencer himself - as the two former adversaries-turned-friends discover a deep emotional connection. And as for the rest of the group, their shared experiences have forged an unbreakable bond, cementing their friendship and paving the way for future escapades together.

But just when it seems like all is well in their little world, the unmistakable drumbeats of Jumanji begin to echo through the halls. However, these teens are no longer naive or foolhardy - they've learned from their past mistakes and have a plan in place to prevent anyone else from falling prey to the game's insidious allure. With the bowling ball they recovered during their detention mishap, they make a bold statement by destroying Jumanji once and for all, putting an end to its reign of terror and ensuring that no one will ever again be tempted by its false promises of excitement and adventure.