Remember those days when almost all Disney films for animations, well now it seems that Disney are taking those classics and re-imagining them as live action and the latest is The Jungle Book.
The 1967 animated movie based on Rudyard Kipling’s story of a young boy in the jungle who is brought up by his adopted family of animals and featuring some all-time classic songs including “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You“, has been given a reboot, not only bringing the very talented Neel Sethi as Mowgli to the big screen live-action movie but also a cast of big names playing the voices of the famous animals from the story.
The Jungle Book Comes To Life
Young orphan Mowgli has to flee from his home when his life is threatened by the evil tiger Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba), helping him on his journey is his mentor Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley) along the way he crosses paths with the memorising Kaa (voiced by Scarlett Johansson) who gives Mowgli a glimpse in to his past.
He also comes across a honey loving bear, Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray), who just want’s to make the most out of the “man cubs” ability to help him get the honey to help him hibernate. Bill Murray is certainly a great Baloo and as soon has he starts talking you just know that he is perfectly cast as the part and yes the pair do have a moment with that rather famous song.
And talking of songs, the other song that many people remember from original movie is when the monkey king sings “I Wanna Be Like You“, this is in there as well, as King Louie (voiced by Christopher Walken) comes to life as one of possibly the biggest Orangutans that you have seen on the cinema screens. So big in fact that a few small children just sitting over from me seemed to be rather terrified as he slowly came out from the darkness.
The Jungle Book still has the charm that the original had, it may not be cartoon animation, but the CGI animation of the animals is superb, they are all realistically done and in true Disney style they all have their moments of comedy and cuteness. The wolf cubs are adorable, Shere Khan is menacing and Bagheera brings you a sense of a character that wants you to always do the right thing.
Neel Sethi, who plays Mowgli, certainly brings the orphan boy to life, it’s almost as if the part was written for him, you really believe that he is Mowgli and that he has spent all his time in the jungle with his adopted family of wolves. He’s charming, cocky and lovable all at the same time and he brings a performance to the part that certainly makes his scenes enjoyable, be them with or without the CGI effects.
The Jungle Book is certainly a worthy film to see, it’s one of the best live action movies from Disney list of re-imagined Disney classics. It’s got action, jumps, tears and joys, a family movie that all ages will enjoy watching and as most of us remember the cartoon movies from Disney, the new generations of Disney kids are going to love the live action versions that are on the way, such as Pete’s Dragon and many more.
If you loved the original The Jungle Book then you aren’t going to be disappointed by this one, go see it on the big screen and enjoy the two hours.
A Live-aactio delight
Movie title: The Jungle Book (2016)
Movie description: A man-cub named Mowgli fostered by wolves. After a threat from the tiger Shere Khan, Mowgli is forced to flee the jungle, by which he embarks on a journey of self-discovery with the help of the panther, Bagheera and the free-spirited bear, Baloo.
Director(s): Jon Favreau
Actor(s): Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba
Genre: Kids
Karen Woodham is the founder and owner of the Blazing Minds. She is also a Cinema reviewer and works with RealD 3D reviewing the latest 3D releases and IMAX, she has also had several articles published in various publications including the first edition of SFW Magazine. In 2015 she became an Award Winning Blogger and also has her website listed as one of the UK’s Top 10 Film Blogs.
