To the Amazon we go 🚣🐆🌳

Now that I finally have Disney+ again, it was time for me to get started with catching up with all of the Disney movies and tv shows that I have missed the past few years. The first film that I decided to watch was Jungle Cruise, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. I knew that this movie would be adventurous and full of character, much like The Rock's other movies such as Jumanji, Journey 2, and Race To Witch Mountain.

The story begins with Frank Wolff (The Rock) living in the Amazon Jungle during the year 1916. He is working as a jungle cruise skipper. His tours through the Amazon River are dangerous, but he often makes things seem far worse than they actually are to his wealthy tourists. He works hard day in and out, but he struggles to keep up with the demands of Nilo (Paul Giamatti) and ends up losing the freedom to use his boat.

While Frank is busy living his simple life, the brother and sister duo Lily (Emily Blunt) and MacGregor (Jack Whitehall) Houghton are dreaming about saving lives and having another adventure. Lily is a strong feminist and her brother MacGregor is gay. Add in the fact that Frank is basically just some giant man who seems kind of dumb and you have the perfect recipe for a modern film. It is blatant how hard Hollywood pushes certain narratives these days. If you are able to ignore the fact that Disney and other film studios have the power to brainwash our society to start living a certain way, there is actually a lot to enjoy with Jungle Cruise.

Lily and MacGregor arrive in the small town where Frank lives and they are in search of somebody to lead them on their journey to find something called "The Tears of the Moon". Legend says that this is a mythic tree that blooms unique flowers. When the petals are properly processed, they can slow down aging, cure disease and break curses. When Lily meets Frank, she at first believe him to be Nilo. The reason that this is such a big deal is that Nilo has control of the port and is known as the guy who can get you places. Frank takes advantage of his opportunity to have Nilo's reputation and begins to convince Lily that he can lead them where they need to go.

Of course, Lily finds out that Frank isn't Nilo quickly when MacGregor arrives at a local bar with the real Nilo. Although Frank is willing to give the siblings a bargain once he sees Lily wearing an ancient necklace, they are still hesitant to give Frank a chance. It is a good thing that Frank has such strong form, otherwise, he may have missed out on this big opportunity.

Lily and MacGregor are wealthy and almost go for Nilo's overpriced offer, but then a Jaguar saunters into the bar and threatens to attack. Frank saves them from a Jaguar attack, which makes him the clear choice to lead the boat down the treacherous Amazon River.

Lily is the only girl in town who wears pants rather than a dress. The film makes it clear over and over that she is quite capable to get things done. She may not be as strong as Frank, but she is smarter and more crafty. Brains over brawn in this instance.

There is nobody around the jungle that can keep up with the tenacity which Frank possesses. He is a mountain of a man and knows the jungle better than anyone else. You will find out why exactly he has so much knowledge later in the movie, but I'll leave that for you to discover.

Once the trio heads out on Franks's boat, which they had to steal from Nilo, they uncover a lie that Frank told. The jaguar from the bar was actually Frank's pet Proxima. She lives on the boat with Frank and is actually very well-behaved. This doesn't stop wimpy MacGregor from referring to Proxima as Murder Cat for most of the story.

Frank warns multiple times that their journey will be dangerous. Lily is insistent that she can handle anything that comes her way. Her little brother begs her to change her mind, but that is not happening. Rapids, piranhas, and countless other deadly things await these three adventurers.

The adventure through the jungle is by far the best part of the movie. This majestic landscape is so beautiful, but I wouldn't get caught dead adventuring through the Amazon. I also really liked Frank's silly sense of humor, The Rock is good at that. This is most certainly a family film, but there are some jokes that only adults will get, which keeps it fun for everyone watching.

Another really cool addition to this well-written story is the Spanish conquistadors that are linked to the legendary Tears of the Moon. These men from hundreds of years ago are cursed and come back to fight. They have been trapped in the jungle for lifetiems thanks to something terrible that they did. The designs of these antagonists are some of the best I have seen. They are part jungle and part man. Some are made of snakes, trees, and even bees.

All of the main characters suffer at times, but you have to remember this is a Disney movie. Don't expect blood and brutal deaths here. This is something that you can have your kids watch and not have to worry. You will most likely find enjoyment in it too as an adult, especially if you are fascinated by the wonders of nature and exploration.

The secrets at the end are well worth finding out. I don't want to spoil the best parts of Jungle Cruise, but I will give you a hint. Frank is short for Francisco.

I thought that Jungle Cruise was an excellent first watch on Disney+. I was expecting to get a closer look at the Amazon with some comical moments here and there, which is exactly what this movie delivers. Here is the trailer below so that you can get an even better visual of what you will find in Jungle Cruise.