The Jungle Book (2016)

A different way of telling a story

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

I think I saw the original back in 1st grade and didn't care about it at all except for "The Bare Necessities." So flash forward to present day when we have already had Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and even Snow White redone. I had zero excitement about the update of The Jungle Book.Then I started to become curious. I read articles about how newcomer Neel Sethi did pretend basketball for his audition tape because of how much green screen and nothingness he would be working with. And I will start with Mowgli because he is fantastic. Think of Life of Pi as a reference point. But then think of a kid's imagination and why people might have fallen in love with the original in the first place. This kid brings the movie to life, and there wasn't a moment I wasn't impressed by him.Now for the jungle. It is beautiful. I have no idea how they were able to accomplish it, but it's so stunning. In an extended compliment, I tip my hat to Iron Man and Elf director Jon Favreau. Whether it's the placement of the animals or the way the camera moves with the jungle, the man knew exactly what he was looking for and he got it.Mowgli isn't quite on his own; you have an all-star cast lending their voices with Bill Murray, Idris Elba, and Christopher Walken being the highlights. Not only do they add with their voices, but the animals they represent are such a feat to behold. I loved how the camera would trail Mowgli talking to Bagheera the panther and the way the shoulder blades moved in stride with the walk. The look is there, the behavior is there, and the characters are there.The next thing is both a compliment and also one of the complaints I hold. The story arc follows Mowgli as he has all these different encounters with the creatures of the jungle-- whether for better or for worse. For the most part, the encounters are brief, for this movie had to be under 2 hours while still having scenes with all these different animals. And while segments with Kaa (Scarlet Johansson) or King Louie are welcomed, the main character isn't given much time to spend with Bagheera or Baloo; this is a problem becomes we're supposed to feel this bond grown that even though Mowgli is a man cub, he will instead choose the life with the animals he loves. And his interactions with Bagheera and Baloo are fantastic, but they don't provide the depth and framework that animated and kids movies often fall prey to. Furthermore, the two songs played are a great relief of pace, but they can't help that some scenes I described as brief still feel stretched. The pacing isn't quite there, and the development of the story suffers for it.There are moments that will probably scare some children, especially when the red flower is introduced, but the animals presented and the diverse characters they represent are fresh and needed. And there's no doubt that Bill Murray fits the bill as Baloo the bear. Top it off with the beautiful jungle and some borrowed elements of The Lion King, and well, you have one of the most exciting Disney films of recent years. You will enjoy it in the theaters, but perhaps not as much as you would hope to. You can find this review and dozens of others at gillipediamoviereviews.blogspot.com

I watched this movie in theaters and was blown away. I don't remember too much of the original animated film, but this was a nice refresher. We get CGI animals and CGI backgrounds, and one human boy (who is real). The animals were all well-done and their voices were superb. If this is what the CGI Lion King will be like in 2019, then I'm all for it, even without humans. The wolves were the best of the CGI animals, especially the pups. The pups sounded just like human children! I'm not too sure about the Oscar winnings but this gets a standing ovation, Oscar or no Oscar. It's a good Disney remake.

THE JUNGLE BOOK is one of a slew of live-action remakes of famous Walt Disney cartoons currently in production. I say live action, but this version has exactly one actor - the Indian-American kid playing Mowgli - and the rest is made up of CGI animals. Sadly, it's a massive misfire of a film, in which almost every element disappoints. Neel Sethi is a first-time performer and it shows, because it has no acting ability whatsoever and a single expression on his face (sullen, mildly puzzled) no matter what situation he finds himself in. The CGI animation for the creatures ranges from the decent (the adult wolves and panther look pretty good) to the poor, but the main problem with this is the incessant CGI action and limited storytelling ability. It reminded me a little of the STAR WARS prequels with the necessity of having CGI in EVERY single shot, but there's no weight behind it and no gravitas to the story. The tale's thrust seems to have been stolen from THE LION KING, of all things. As for the voice talent, it's occasionally decent (Bill Murray works), but Idris Elba is miscast as the bad guy and Scarlet Johansson sticks out like a sore thumb.

I have a very big respect of all the actors, filmmakers, animators ect.. But the truth is that some movies like that one, are bir waste of time.First of all, Neel Sethi the child actor cant act. He is so flat. Every scene is the same face. No emotion. Same flat face and act. No joy, no sadness and no fear.. alll the same face. Someday he wall be an actor, but now he is not. Ony good thing abouth this movie is CGI.. But not all CGI.. I like only the scene when seasons change. The rest of all is the same CGI effects. Talking animals, envirement, practical effects... all is not new... I give only 1 star for that seasons change scene.... rest off all is crap....Ant the worst part of it.. They shooting it again... Mowgli (2018).. Seriously ??? Enough of jungle book story...(if i have grammar mistake.. please forgive me.)