It’s been ages since I saw the cartoon version of The Jungle Book. I have to admit I wasn’t too keen on this remake idea when it was first announced, despite the amazing voice cast. But I love when films I wasn’t even anticipating end up being such a pleasant surprise, and The Jungle Book did exactly that.
There’s always something intriguing about unlikely friendships, especially amongst humans and animals, so there’s definitely a big market for such genre movies. But seeing them in an animated format and live action automatically gives the story a different feel. A fellow blogger asked me if she could bring her 4-year-old niece to it and my first instinct is that some of the darker scenes might be too scary for her. So yes, it’s still family entertainment, but it certainly has a big appeal to adults as well.
The fact that I don’t much remember the original story perhaps made me enjoy the movie more. Yet for the most part I think this remake stays true to Rudyard Kipling‘s written text. We’re first introduced to the man-cub Mowgli in an exhilarating chase through the jungle that immediately showcased the movie’s spectacular 3D visual prowess. I was immediately transported to the jungle as Mowgli is on the run. It turns out to be a training sequence as he’s being mentored by Bagheera the panther to be more like his wolf brothers he’s raised with. It also didn’t take long for the movie to introduce the villain, the tiger Shere Khan, who looks and sounds menacing, thanks to the deep & mesmerizing voice of Idris Elba.
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Neel Sethi, a 12-year-old kid of Indian descent who lives in NYC is perfectly cast as Mowgli. He may not have the acting experience for some of the dramatic scenes, but still convincing in the role and made me feel for his character. Besides, he’s surrounded by top-notch voice cast, some are acting legends like Ben Kingsley who provided the voice of Bagheera. But the scene stealer is Baloo, voiced by the inimitable Bill Murray. As soon as Baloo enters the picture, the movie’s entertainment quotient goes up a few notches. I love how he cajoled Mowgli to get his supply of honey and convinces him to stay in the jungle (instead of going to the man village) after discovering the kid’s resourceful-ness. It’s certainly one of the most fun pairing of human/animal since Hiccup and Toothless in the animated feature How To Train Your Dragon.
Scarlett Johansson‘s perfectly cast as the seductive snake Kaa. It’s a brief scene but a pretty memorable one. Christopher Walken, whose distinct speaking voice is endlessly entertaining, is fun to watch as the 10-foot-tall Gigantopithecus aptly-named King Louie. So instead of an orangutan, we’ve got this gigantic ape whose face is made to resemble Walken a bit and he got to sing a bit as well. The scenes with King Louie in his *temple* is one of the most action-packed in the film, but there are no shortage of action in this movie. Which takes me to the phenomenal visuals. From the opening sequence down to the fiery finale between Mowgli and Shere Khan, this film surely sets the bar high for live-action CGI movies. I think the last time I was truly in awe by a film’s 3D visuals was Avatar back in 2009. The way the animals look so realistic, and the excruciating details of the forest Mowgli lives in is breathtaking to behold. It’s an immersive experience as it felt as if you could smell and touch the lush trees in the jungle!
But it’s also nice that the movie isn’t just all style-over-substance. It’s a testament to how wonderful the original story is, but director Jon Favreau and screenwriter Justin Marks made the classic tale come alive again and feels new. Even the musical numbers were fun and not at all distracting or annoying, which is another pleasant surprise. I find Mowgli’s journey quite moving and I really do love all the characters. Favreau is definitely a force to be reckoned with, which seems relatively under the radar compared to say, Zack Snyder, but he churns in good work far more consistently. The first Iron Man was utterly entertaining and Elf is practically a Christmas classic. But even his smaller fare like Chef (in which he starred in) is an indie gem.
The Jungle Book is another huge hit for Disney. It’s nice that a behemoth movie (with $175 mil budget) is also massively entertaining, so I think its success is well-deserved. I don’t even mind seeing this again in IMAX as I much prefer seeing it in a larger screen with great sound than in 3D. Pure escapism stuff that Disney’s known for and the colossal studio delivered once again.
oiehwgshl
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
I might see this film in the coming weekend as I’m intrigued though it has been a very long time since I’ve seen the original.
I don’t think you need to remember much from the original to enjoy this one Steven.
With so many great reviews, including yours, this movie received, I’ll probably go see it sometime this weekend. Just FYI, it’s also showing in 3D at the IMAX theater. I’m actually looking forward to seeing it on the giant screen in 3D, saw AVATAR at the zoo IMAX in 3D and it’s pretty cool visually.
You know it’s a good point that mentioned how Favrau sort of went under the radar the last few years. After Iron Man 1 & 2, he’s quite hot but then Cowboys & Aliens happened and that cool down his reputation for a while. But I think he’s a very good director and hope he churns out more fun movies down the road and no more crap like Cowboys & Aliens.
I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this Ted, but glad when that happened. Ah so the IMAX one is in 3D as well? Heh I hate those pesky glasse.
I never saw Cowboys & Aliens, not sure I ever will. I think Favreau’s not as cocky as Zack Snyder or other filmmakers and he’s kind of underrated I think.
Yeah it’s being shown in 3D on all IMAX screens; I actually find the 3D glasses at the Zoo IMAX sort of comfortable compare to regular theater and fake IMAX’s 3D glasses.
Don’t waste your time with Cowboys & Aliens, you’d think with James Bond and Indiana Jones starring in a film, it would be a fun ride but it’s just boring and not entertaining at all!
“I have to admit I wasn’t too keen on this remake idea when it was first announced, despite the amazing voice cast.” – I can totally agree with this. Seems most people got a pleasant surprise, which has piqued my interest, will be looking into this sometime!
The voice cast is fabulous Zoë, but the visuals are truly breathtaking. Hope you enjoy it when you see it!
It’s heart is in the right place to begin with, which is why it works so well. That, and well, the gorgeous visuals, too. Nice review.
Well it’s Disney so I dunno about its heart being in the right place 😛 But yeah I think it feels like a passion project and not a cash grab if that’s what you’re referring to. The visuals are indeed gorgeous!
I’m going to see it this weekend and I can’t wait. Great review Ruth!
Awesome Mikey, hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
I went to see this last night! I too had forgotten most of the story, but it came back to me in parts. Bill Murray as Baloo might just be the best casting choice EVER. He was absolutely perfect and I just had the silliest grin on my face during all of his scenes 🙂
– Allie
Hi Allie! I love Murray’s voice for Baloo too, yes I was laughing and grinning all the way as well. What fun!
Thoroughly enjoyed it as well and agree that Sethi lacks a bit of acting experience, thought he was the weakest part of the movie…like you say he lacked the ability to show the emotions Mowgli was going through.
Yeah, especially the scene of him with his wolf family. I think the wolf mom was better acted, ahah. But still it was a good movie overall.
So much positive word of mouth for this one might lift it above BatmanVSuperman in box office receipts! Go Disney!
Oh I think this will hit $1B for sure, movies for kids generally perform better than PG-13 or R-rated ones. BVS wasn’t Disney though, it’s Warner Bros.
Right there with you! I really liked this. I think this may be some of the best use of CGI I’ve ever seen, to be honest, considering that EVERYTHING, from the animals to the scenery was CGI…and those animals are probably the most realistic looking CGI animals I’ve ever seen in any movie.
I really hope Oscar remembers this for a Visual Effects nod.
Hi Drew! Glad you enjoyed this, I bet your kids were entertained as well. My goodness the animals look so real, esp the fur and the eyes, it’s just incredible! Yep, it’s probably the most realistic live-action CGI to date. I hope Oscars remember it in the technical categories too, this is the one to beat IMHO.
Everyone seems to approve! The voices are what draw me to the film. Nice review, Ruth.
Hi Cindy! I hadn’t seen the rave reviews when I saw it so yeah, it’s a pleasant surprise for sure. The voices are great, Idris Elba’s Shere Khan is quite mesmerizing whilst Bill Murray is a hoot as Baloo!
I was really resistant to this movie at first because I remember going to see the live action version in the early 90’s and walking out of the theater before we hit the half way mark because it was SO bad, but this one actually looks pretty decent. I think I’d actually like to see it. Great review!
Hi Brittani, I didn’t see the 90s version but I remember the actor playing Mowgli looked more like an adult to me. This one I think nailed the casting, both of Mowgli and the voice actors. The visuals are so gorgeous I was quite blown away by it!
This movie was SO beautiful! My only complaint was the boy…he was adorable, but not a great child actor. BUT, he did the job he had to do and got it done.
Yeah I think Sethi needs some more acting lessons, but fortunately he didn’t derail this movie w/ his lack of experience. In fact, I think he’s quite endearing and looks believable in his interactions w/ the CGI animals.
Excellently worded review Ruth. This is extremely high on my list of movies to see and I hope to see it in the next few weeks.
Thanks Vin! Hope you enjoy it. It’s really a treat visually and the story is quite moving as well.
From the trailer, the effects look dazzling and what a voice cast.
Y’know, it’s one of the rare moment where I actually didn’t see the trailer beforehand. But yeah the voice cast is phenomenal and they delivered big time.
It’s a talented group of actors that’s for sure and I think it will be interesting to hear Scarlett Johansson as Kaa.
Scarlett’s seductive voice is perfect as Kaa. I think some guys would easily fall under her spell 😉
I love her voice in general, it has that husky tone to it.
I admit I didn’t read this as I haven’t seen this yet but want to. But that looks like a good rating, so… That’s encouraging! : )
The visuals alone should be worth seeing on the big screen. Hope you enjoy this one!
Consider me persuaded! 🙂
Glad to hear it Izzy! Hope all is well with you.
Against all the odds they’ve pulled it off! Well, I’m going to have to see this now!
Yes you should Mark, I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it.
My flatmate saw and loved this but he said he thought it might be too scary for small children.
Yep exactly. That’s what I said to the person who asked me if they should take their 4-year-old niece.
He has young nieces and nephews and he thought they would definitely be scared.
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