Disney has decided that animated film remakes are their next big endeavor. While we’ve already been gifted with “Cinderella” and “Maleficent,” it was only a matter of time before they tackled a more adventurous tale.
With the recent remake of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” it was difficult to not be a little apprehensive.
As a Disney fan, I’ll admit I was a little underwhelmed with everything but the costumes in “Cinderella,” and the mediocre storyline of “Maleficent” left a lot to be desired.
I feared that my favorite family feature would be resigned to the same fate, leaving me with a bittersweet feeling towards Disney’s newest ventures. Thankfully, under the direction of Jon Favreau, “The Jungle Book” has broken the curse.
Adapted from the 1967 musical animated comedy, this version is a little darker than the original, forgoing the upbeat childishness of animation and tackling the artistic action/adventure film it could’ve been.
Favreau chooses to focus on the depth of the story, tackling topics of self-discovery and man’s relationship with the natural world.
While there are less musical numbers, the depth of Mowgli’s journey brings the colorful animated world of Disney into the 21st century.
With an incredibly detailed and digital world, crafted by the best in animation, the characters and scenery are a beautiful blend of earthen tones throughout the film.
The attention to detail, paired with a pinch of wonder, makes Mowgli’s world into a realistic yet fantastic setting. “The Jungle Book” takes CGI to a new level, breathing heart and soul into each creature without looking unnatural or cartoonish.
With a more ominous and politically driven storyline this time around, the film is suited to a slightly older audience. While it’s still family-friendly, there are some scenes that are emotionally stressful and violent.
Yet I have to recommend seeing this in theaters now. “The Jungle Book” was built for 3D IMAX and surround sound. Newcomer Neel Sethi (Mowgli) leads you through an impeccable journey of a boy just trying to find his place in the world.
While Sethi is the central focus of the film, he is accompanied by an incredible cast. I’ll admit, I was hesitant about the selections when they were first released.
However, in context of the overall film, I can’t imagine a better variety of personalities to uphold such a majestic film.
With standout performances from Bill Murray (Baloo), Christopher Walken (King Louie), Idris Alba (Shere Khan) and Scarlett Johansson (Kaa), it gives the classic characters a fresh new sound and is a delight for older audiences. Who could resist the smooth tone of Ben Kingsley as Bagheera?
Each superstar brings a little piece of themselves to the role, giving the formerly “cute and fuzzy” movie a mature makeover.
If you’re looking for Disney nostalgia mixed with classic adventure film plot and next level CGI, “The Jungle Book” is the perfect flick to see.