Review by John Delia
Director Jon Favreau turns family viewing up a notch with a darker version of the 1997 animated The Jungle Book. Now on Blu-ray/DVD the live action with a copious amounts of computer generated images, Favreau takes the classic into the 21st century with realism beyond belief. Adding a lot of action to his film the movie becomes more of a jungle battle than an innocent romp in the trees and vegetation while coming in contact with some comical characters. It’s not the family musical you saw many years ago, but the story stays intact and fun to watch.
Most everyone over the age of three knows the story of the young human boy named Mowgli (Neel Sethi) who grew up as a member of the wolf family when he was abandoned after his father had a run in with the fierce Tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba). Burnt on the left side of his face by what animals call the “red flowerâ€, Khan wants revenge by killing Mowgli. Protected by the wolves’ leader Akela and cared for by his wife Raksha (Lupita Nyong’o) and his savior the black panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley), Mowgli lives a rousing life in the vast Indian jungle. But, as Khan moves closer to the wolf pack, Mowgli’s future becomes endangered.
The story extols a lot of meaning about friendship, helping others, bravery and family as the movie plays out as a great adventure. Director/producer Jon Favreau, who’s no stranger to directing action films like the Iron Man series, kicks the story up a notch or two providing a darker version of the child’s fable. The animals are very vicious at times, but it is the jungle and making it any other way in the 21st century would be making the story more child’s play than a daring adventure. By producing the film with more danger it brings a wider older audience into play with its compelling story line. Favreau has it right and a tip of the hat to the very brave entrepreneur.
Brilliant at developing characters like Iron Man’s Tony Stark played by Robert Downey, Jr, Favreau knows how to make a first time actor, Neel Sethi as Mowgli, a hero in the eyes of both youngsters and adults. Not the ordinary character from the animated feature, but one that has lived a harsh life in an unforgiving jungle. Showing the scars on his body from his runs through the brush and scraps with his “fellow†wolves, Sethi shows the reality of growing up in the wild. And Sethi has the ability to put Mowgli through the necessary paces to make the film work showing he’s probably the next up and coming star that will make his way into the hearts of young and old alike.
All of the animals in the film were computer generated making it a difficult task to interact with them on the sets. Being the only human in the film, Neel Sethi had the task of making it all look real. Needless to say he did an amazing job
The cast of voice characters show some very cunning choices. Recognizable voices like Bill Murray as Baloo the clever bear who gets Mowgli to bring him a tasty meal. Providing the comedy and misadventure Baloo helps Mowgli to learn how to use his human ways. Then there’s Bagheera the protective black panther voiced by Ben Kingsley. Keeping Mowgli safe, he risks his own life to help the boy survive. Christopher Walken lends his voice to the very domineering King Louie an orangutan who towers over his ape followers. He wants to capture Mowgli for Shere Kahn, but that becomes no easy task.
Idris Elba has the task of proving the voice for the very scary tiger Shere Kahn. Scared by a torch during a clash with an Indian man protecting his infant son, Kahn still feels the flames. His search for revenge takes him into the mountains of the wolves who have raised Mowgli since a baby. Much like the lion Scar in the animated feature The Lion King, he’s crafty and dangerous.
BONUS FEATURES:
There’s over two and a half hours of bonus features. The following is a list of the special shorts on the Blu-ray.
“The Jungle Book Reimagined†Discover how the filmmakers re-envisioned this classic tale.
“I Am Mowgli†Follow the extraordinary journey of Neel Sethi who joins with some of the biggest names in movies to bring this story to life.
“King Louie’s Temple; Layer by Layer†Take a fast, engaging look at how the ‘I Wan’na Be Like You’ sequence was created.
“Audio Commentary†play the film with the audio commentary of Jon Favreau and learn more about the making of the movie.
The Jungle Book has been rated PG by the MPAA for some sequences of scary action and peril. While most kids 5 and up should have no problem with the attacks between animals and the chase through fire between Sheere Kahn and Mowgli, immature young ones my get a bit frightened so make sure they are close for a big hug.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A very cool production of a classic story. (A)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken, Garry Shandling, Brighton Rose
Directed: Jon Favreau
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Family
MPAA Rating: PG for some sequences of scary action and peril
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Original Theatrical Release Date: April 15, 2016
Video Release Date: August 30, 2016
Language: English (changeable to French or Spanish)
Reviewed Format: Blu-ray (also available on DVD and Digital HD
Audio: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio (Blu-ray), also has English 2.0 Descriptive Audio
Video: 1080p High Definition Widescreen, Aspect Ratio 1.851
Subtitles: English, Spanish, French
Number of Discs: 2 disc Combo Pack Blu-ray/DVD/HD Download
Distributed by: Buena Vista Home Entertainment