This 95-minute outing lacks credibility and does not move at the pace at which an adventure outing must move at.
Let me start off with a disclaimer – Family Pack (Loups-garous in French) is not the answer for the 1995 hit Jumanji starring the late Robin Williams. This, however, is based on the card game The Werewolves of Millers Hollow created by the Frenchmen Philippe de Pallier and Hervé Marley and the Russian game Mafia.
The rules of the game are simple – you have two sides. One side contains the evil werewolves and the other side, the Townsfolk. It is the duty of the Townsfolk to deduce who the evil werewolves are. Having a foundation of an interesting game, director François Uzan fails to deliver.
The film starts off Jumanji style. You have a family consisting of Dad Jérôme (Franck Dubosc), Mom Marie (Suzanne Clément), an aspiring social influencer daughter Clara (Lisa Do Couto Texeira), stepson Théo (Raphael Romand), and young daughter Louise (AlizéeCaugnies) at Grandpa Gilbert’s (Jean Reno) house.
Their boredom results in the kids finding an ancient card game. Once the family starts it, they are transported to a French village in the 1490s. Armed with individual duties and skills that include common sense and hunting skills, they must navigate the game and find the 4 werewolves or succumb to it.
For the majority of the outing, it looks as if director Uzan is trying too much without direction. Having a two-dimensional plan and unidimensional vision does not help him. He cannot decide whether to make the outing a comical one or a thrilling one and compromises on both. He does not dwell on the original whodunit aspect of the game but decides to concentrate on the family members and their bonding.
Though he has chosen the skill sets for each family well (Clara’s strength is invisibility though she wants to be seen and be famous; Marie is a modern woman in an era where women, in general, had no or very less freedom), he fails in showing what brings the family together and survives. Jean Reno as the senile Grandpa is as bankable as ever, as are Franck Dubosc and Suzanne Clément.
The film, however, is not without its moments. There is a scene where Marie gives a rousing speech as she’s tied to the stake to burn. She tells the women onlookers that the future holds the promise of the right to divorce. There is also a scene where Théo’s powers as a thief allow him to change his identity, implying that he can identify himself (her/them) however he (she/they) wants to.
This 95-minute outing lacks credibility and does not move at the pace at which an adventure outing must move at.
Please do not make the error of comparing this to Jumanji. It does not even come close. Forget the level, it does not belong in the same pyramid as Jumanji. This card/board game is best left undisturbed.
