Of all the live action versions Disney has been producing based on their animated classics of late, The Jungle Book has sailed right to the top on so many levels. Visually, it is stunning and emotionally it is powerful. And in between there is a highly effective familial undertone that grabs its audiences by the heartstrings and never lets it go.
Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi) is a mere boy being brought up by a pack of wolves, all under the guidance of a black panther named Bagheera (Ben Kingsley). He was orphaned deep in the jungle as a baby and has been enjoying a delightful childhood living in peace with all of the jungle’s creatures.
Well, maybe not all.
The evil tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) has a severe problem with a human in the jungle. See, a boy will grow up to be man. In his experience, men bring nothing but death and destruction. One particular day, he grows impatient with Mowgli’s presence and forcibly pushes the wolves and Bagheera’s hands and gives them a timeline to get rid of the boy, or he will dispose of him with his teeth and claws. Fearing for his jungle family, Mowgli decides to leave on his own accord and find his way to where other of his kind live. Along the way, he shares delightful adventures with various creatures, including the Bill Murray voiced bear Baloo and the Scarlett Johansson voiced visionary snake, Kaa.
It is hard to know where to start saluting in this awesome feature film from director Jon Favreau. The Iron Man helmer could not have been a better choice to director this love letter to not only the Disney original animated film, but to Walt Disney himself. Favreau has forged a new Jungle Book that simultaneously salutes the original animated film and the wide-ranging and resonant themes that built the entire Disney studio.
Favreau painstakingly took to crafting the film. It must be seen in 3D — and this from a writer that is not the hugest 3D appreciator. It is beyond gorgeous, rich and lush, all while moving its story forward with a charming dramatic force. There are some films that are simply eye candy with a fair plot that keeps things ever-slightly moving. Here, Favreau had the benefit of an emotionally charged, fully character-developed script from Justin Marks (based on the iconic book by Rudyard Kipling. It’s as emotionally rich as it is visually.
Even though some characters may have smaller parts to play in this particular Disney jungle circle of life, they are so vast in their scope that audiences become mentally connected to each and every one. Heck, there are even tiny moments with jungle beasts that have one line in the entire movie that elicit laughs and “ahhhs” from the audience that rival films would dream to get. So many filmmakers fail to grasp the concept of crafting a full character, regardless of its screen time. That is so not the case with The Jungle Book.
The other aspect of this incredible cinematic experience is that Favreau cast his vocal talent and screen talent impeccably. First of all, Sethi is a find. How they found a young performer that could rival the presence of the animated classic is beyond astounding. He is expressive, commanding and does something that actors with five-times his experience fail to do… act brilliantly opposite CG characters. It is truly remarkable.
Kingsley is his usual stunning self and brings a power and paternal presence to Bagheera that takes the character even further than was achieved in the animated original. Murray dazzles as the bear Baloo and gives us all the Bare Necessities we need (yes, he even breaks into that song for a spat). Murray brings all the best parts of his acting toolbox to the bearish character and does so in such a way, that we could follow this beast deeper into the jungle for another two hours.
Then, there’s Elba as the evil Shere Khan. His deep tenor alone would make him a formidable villain in Favreau’s world. But, he does something even more incredible. There is a level of immense supremacy to his Khan that would have you forget that it is actually the lion that is the king of the jungle. For our money, pound for pound, in The Jungle Book, Khan appears that he is the one in charge. He’s judge, jury and executioner.
One of the greatest surprises is the vocal performance of Christopher Walken as King Louie. The enormous ape rules his simian space with a flair of humor and lightheartedness that is terrific for Favreau’s The Jungle Book. He even sings a classic from the original that will bring smiles to every soul in the audience.
Then again, the entire The Jungle Book experience has this side effect: Perma-grin from every person leaving the theater. Heck, it’s been weeks seen we’ve witnessed this piece of movie magic and our grin has still yet to fade.
Grade: A