Disney is back with another movie based on one of its theme park rides – this time it’s Jungle Cruise. And unlike a lot of 40-somethings out there, I was truly looking forward to seeing this movie. I’m a fan of all things Disney and have loved the Jungle Cruise ride since I was a kid. Of course, the question isn’t just how well the movie reflects the ride, but whether this is a movie worth seeing.

This movie follows the adventure formula of movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, Raiders of the Lost Ark and The Mummy. Not only is it a period piece full of action, but the plot involves a relic and a curse and a quest. So yes, it all feels very familiar. But I think that’s a good thing because you sort of know what to expect from it. And they throw in a bit of a twist that provides a deeper story than simply an adventure down the river.

The leads do a good job with this story as well. Dwayne Johnson already excels at playing the smartass action hero, so there’s not much of a stretch. But it was great to see Emily Blunt really get into the action, with her character not being the damsel in distress. That role pretty much fell to Jack Whitehall, though he did throw a few punches himself.

Fans of the ride the movie is based on will love the tribute near the beginning of the film. They even use some lines directly from the ride script. And there are “dad” jokes sprinkled throughout the film, so you never lose sight of the movie’s origins. Even if you’re not familiar with the ride, you’ll have difficulty not laughing at a few of the groaners.

Jungle Cruise isn’t perfect or a great cinematic feat, but that’s not what you go to this sort of film looking for. Though a word of warning: if you have a snake phobia, you won’t enjoy some pretty significant portions of the action. But overall, it lives up to the fun and adventure you’d expect from the trailers, and has a few surprises as well. Plus, it’s one of the few movies right now that the entire family can enjoy.