Jungle Cruise (2021)

Jungle Cruise is Pirates of the Caribbean on a river, right down to the cursed villains, and it never escapes the comparison. Those villains, old conquistadors stitched together from snakes, bees and vines, look like a compost pile that learned to hold a sword, and the final act piles on so much digital chaos that the boat gets lost in its own movie. At 127 minutes, it’s a long ride based on a ride. What keeps it afloat is Emily Blunt. Her Lily is fearless and funny, swinging on ropes in trousers while everyone tells her to sit down. Dwayne Johnson commits to the terrible puns like they’re his life’s work, and the ones he tells bored tourists are the funniest in the movie. Jesse Plemons is having a great time as a German prince who chats with bees. It made $220.9 million worldwide on a reported $200M. A 5.5 because Blunt is a blast and the effects sink the finale. $79.82 says you tell one awful pun at dinner tonight and refuse to apologize for it.

What works: Emily Blunt’s fearless Lily, Johnson’s committed puns, and Jesse Plemons gleefully chatting with bees.

What doesn’t: The cursed villains look like a walking compost pile, and the digital finale buries the actors under noise.

Who it’s for: Families who want an easy adventure night with a big star and a bigger boat.