Movie Review
Review The Jungle Book
Orphaned Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is once found in the jungle by the black panther Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) and raised by a pack of wolves led by Akela (Giancarlo Eposito) and Raksha (Lupita Nyong'o) who nurtures him as if he was hers, aptly referring Mowgli as her "man-cub". When the fearsome tiger Shere Kahn (Idris Elba) learns of Mowgli's existence, he threatens his life, emphasizing that a man-cub becomes a man; and man is forbidden to co-exist with the animals. Fearing for the safety of the pack, Mowgli decides to leave his family and is escorted by Bagheera to return him to the "man-village." Across the jungle's increasingly inhospitable terrain, Mowgli encounters the hypnotizing python Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), the honey-obsessed bear Baloo (Bill Murray) and the overgrown orangutan King Louie (Christoper Walken) who wants to possess the "red flower" (us humans call it 'fire') to advance himself to the top spot of the jungle's evolutionary ladder.
The cast is terrific as expected, and that is to say nothing of the faultless animal renditions that manages to succeed in the ever-troubling issue of having their lips move. Ben Kingsley as Bagheera gives a shockingly resemblance to the original voice, while the cast of the wolves give great comfort. Bill Murray as Baloo – Its Bill Murray. C'Mon! Christopher Walken as King Louie is about as ridiculously cool as you expect it to be. Scarlett Johansen is barely in the movie, but her voice of Ka fits the seducing aspect of both the character and her masculine-drawing pop-culture image. Idris Elba as Shere Kahn is chillingly formidable with his guttural threats. Giancarlo Eposito's Akela and Lupita Nyong'o's Raksha supplies the fierce patriarch and protective maternal vibe that each of their character wolves need. And his first feature appearance, Neel Sethi as young Mowgli is tasked to sell the wonder and hold the humanity of this tale. Considering that he is basically working with puppets and green screen for the entire film, he makes everything believable – the beauty and danger of the jungle, his kinetic and charismatic performance and his on screen connection with the animals. Of course, this will not be successful without Jon Favreau's direction.
This film checks off the list as being the best visual experience since AVATAR, with the best CG animals since LIFE OF PIE, and easily the best source material adaptation out of a billion of them since LORD OF THE RINGS. Had it not been for frequent detours in tone, it may be perfect, but just as good as is. The visual effects team really delivered an outstanding job worthy of an Oscar nod. The kids will enjoy and the adults will be stunned. Go and see it
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