There was something special about 2017's feature flicks. Obviously, we were justly entertained by what Hollywood churned out but, what was most interesting, was how there were some movies that seemed to hit an emotional chord. Well, what does that mean? The greatest, and perhaps one of the most relatable, examples was the release of the nostalgia-filled "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle". It premiered on December 5, 2017, and has succeeded both in the box office and with fans of the original alike.

Welcome to the Jungle opens with four hilarious high school archetypes that we are all too familiar with. You have the dork, the jock, the princess and the future female overlord together in detention. What could go wrong, you may ask? The game from hell returns as a retrofitted video game and our unsuspecting heroes decide to give it a try. The result is a mixture of hilarity and fear on the part of the characters, which is high school, in a nutshell, right?

However, it's when we get to know the teens in their respective re-vamped (or not) bodies that really brings the movie home. It was beautiful to see the two most insecure characters (Spencer and Martha) grasp their newfound abilities and bodies to exude something that could pass for confidence. We see them kicking bad guys through walls, dance-fighting rather than flirting, and finding that there was strength in them all along.

But what was more beautiful than Spencer and Martha exuding some well-deserved confidence? The fact that they were still themselves. We got to see the insecurities of teenage love, indecision, and everything in-between played out by two fully grown adults. And it resulted in uproarious laughter from the audience, who they themselves probably remembered the complexities of the high school psyche.

On the flip-side, we have two typical high school archetypes that are ripped from their external beauty and/or physical abilities and placed in bodies that in no way resemble their true selves. Or do they? We get to see Fridge, the football star, shoved into teeny tiny Kevin Hart and the nearly immediate humbling effect is incredibly gratifying. Likewise, we get self-absorbed Bethany put in Jack Black's goofy, map-loving character.

Speaking as a woman whose known too many selfish women myself, her character arc was by far the most satisfying. Both Fridge and Bethany are forced to forego their previous "me, me, me" attitudes in favor of developing some real, lovable characteristics. They come to the aid of Spencer and Martha, whom they considered nearly invisible in the real world, on several occasions and we know that it was sincere.

Though Dr. Bravestone and Ruby Roundhouse looked killer and Dr. Oberon and Mouse Finbar were hilarious on screen, we have no choice but to remember who fills their personas. It was indeed a clever metaphor for the young adult journey in itself. The truth is, we never know what another person is thinking and the moment we think we do, we've automatically failed that person.

It's alright to be that person who struggles with self-esteem, as long as you know how to combat it. It's not about the walk, the talk, or anything else. It's simply about acknowledging who you are and understanding that person. Perhaps if more high school students were sucked into a game console and shoved into unrecognizable bodies, the world would be a slightly more beautiful version than it is today.

Beneath "Welcome to the Jungle's" goofy, amusing and ultimately clever story, there lies a plot driven by characters who encompass some of life's most glaring insecurities and vanities. We cannot help but smile with them, cringe with them, and laugh at them. Until we realize, we are them.