The Jungle Book

Son loves movie

Disney has been doing quite well with their live-action movies such as Maleficent and Alice In Wonderland. CGI has gotten so good that it can look absolutely real. This is used to good effect in Disney's "The Jungle Book", a remake of their popular 1967 film. The animation is superb, and the actors who provide voices for the various animals are very well chosen. Ben Kingsley is properly dignified and intellectual as the panther who watches over Mowgli, and Bill Murray is entertaining as the lazy and scheming, but loyal bear. Scarlett Johanssen provides the seductive voice for the python, and Christopher Walken is the voice of the leader of the apes, who rules them like a crime boss. The young boy who plays Mowgli is the only real human to appear on screen, except for a flashback which also briefly shows his father. The story is a lot darker than the old cartoon version, and we understand why Shere Khan the tiger hates Mowgli so much. The moments when Mowgli is in the clutches of the python or the apes are appropriately exciting and terrifying. There are also a few lighthearted moments, and 3 of the songs from the older version have been updated and show up at least for a verse or two. One scene made me laugh out loud when Mowgli is led into the ruined city to meet the head ape. He notices a pile of rusty objects on the ground and picks up something....I won't spoil it by identifying what it is, but it was a perfect moment.

DVD came in perfect condition, loaded it to watch, no skipping, no dirty fingerprints. Worked like new

I have never liked the Jungle Book. It has been one of those movies I've had to watch as a kid and never liked. Sure I liked the songs and had the cassette tape but the movie was never for me. Remakes growing up were not great and I was never interested. I saw the preview for this earlier this year and thought that it looked different, interesting, dark but fun...So I finally after months gave it a try. My family and I set up in the living room and on it went. From the beginning I was hooked! The animals looked so real and the little boy was very likeable. The voices all fit and my favorite was Baloo, Bill Murray. It was such a great movie and I didn't want it to end. It completely changed my views on the Jungle Book and quickly shot up to the top of my favorites list. My kids really liked it as well and my 9 year old son who never sits down long enough to watch a movie stayed the whole time and was extremely interested. This is worth the rent/buy. I bought because we watch it over and over again.

Director: Jon Favreau Screenwriter: Justin Marks Cast: Neel Sethi, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken, Scarlet Johansson, Lupita Nyong’o, and Garry Shandling I mentioned in my review of 2015’s Cinderella that, “remakes, sequels, and formula retreads have littered Disney’s productions over the past few decades, but as they say, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” That statement remains remarkably true with this year’s The Jungle Book. Director Jon Favreau hops the fence from Disney’s Marvel studio productions to Disney’s, Disney studio productions; I imagine he’s eyeing one of those Star Wars spinoffs so he can pull off the Disney hat trick. As usual, Favreau brings his time-tested bag of tricks along with him to make The Jungle Book far better than it might have been in someone else’s hands. The Jungle Book retells the classic Rudyard Kipling story that also inspired the 1967 Disney animated classic as well as a Disney live-action film in 1994. After the death of his father at the jaws of the fierce tiger, Shere Khan (Idris Elba), orphaned child Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is taken in by a pack of wolves and raised as one of their own. As Mowgli ages, his human instincts and ingenuity begin to manifest, causing the fearsome Khan to threaten the pack with his terror if the “man-cub” is not surrendered. For his own good, Mowgli’s wolf-mother Raksha (Lupita Nyong’o) entrusts panther, Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) to escort Mowgli through the dense jungle and deliver him to the man-village for his own safety. Yes, this is a faithful retelling of a story that has been told many times over. So why do it and why is it worth seeing? As was the case with 2015’s Cinderella, when one decides to tell a familiar story like this, it is important to have a purpose. Fortunately, that is precisely why Favreau’s version is successful. From the very start, we are immersed in the jungle landscape with standard-setting visual effects that leave all Jungle Book predecessors in the dust. Furthermore, that “Favreau bag of tricks” results in style, fun, and pointed humor that makes the film feel fresh and exciting. Case in point, opening the film with a neurotic hedgehog frantically claiming any object he finds as “mine,” voiced by Garry Shandling in what is likely his final role (the film is also dedicated to Shandling in the end credits). Additionally, the landscapes are breathtaking and the narrative is full of life despite its having only one human character! Like his work on Elf, Favreau brings a fantasy world to life by relating it so well to our familiar world. Mowgli’s metaphorical journey resonates with audiences of all ages because like all good films based on a classic piece of literature, there are layers of appreciation for the central themes including relationships, integrity, and persistence. Of course, unlike Zootopia from earlier this year, these themes are more or less just “there” and not executed expertly enough to support the kind of conversation and discussion the story has in book form. Then there are the performances. I’ve purposefully left this discussion of specific characters for last, as I could never have anticipated how much I was going to enjoy them. First of all, our sole human actor, Neel Sethi is outstanding as Mowgli. This kid is athletic, heartwarming, and talented. Not many kids can carry a $175 million budget film all on their own, let alone on their first try! But let’s get down to it. Those who know me, know that I have a few cinematic heroes that I don’t shut up about: Woody Allen, Christopher Walken, and Bill Murray. I recently wrote a little retrospective on Walken called “Talkin’ Walken: A Top 10 List,” and of course my favorite movie of all time continues to be 1993’s Groundhog Day, starring Bill Murray, who I have often written about and whose name is consequently also the name of my dog. Now both actors have done some stinkers and several of those stinkers involve either voice acting and/or animals, so imagine my trepidation when I heard that these two actors would be voicing roles of animals in a Disney live-action Jungle Book. Still, like Mowgli I persevered keeping an open mind and hoping for the best. The first of these two actors to appear is Murray as Baloo the bear. Let me tell you, as a fan but also a critic, Murray is superb in this role. Anyone who supported that conversation about how Scarlet Johansson (who also voices a role in this film) deserved an Oscar nomination for voicing an operating system in Her, should be right back at it supporting Bill Murray for this performance. Yes, that sounds stupid, and that’s why that whole conversation was stupid in 2013, but he’s just as good. Thankfully, Favreau and screenwriter Justin Marks had the wherewithal to have Murray sing “Bare Necessities” and forgo that whole “live-action remakes don’t include the songs” rule. And speaking of singing, the classically trained singer, dancer, and actor Christopher Walken gets a crack at the film’s other most memorable number as King Louie with “I wan’na Be Like You.” There is no appropriate maximum number of times you can hear Christopher Walken say “Shooby-Doo” or “Gigantopithecus.” So it seems the Jungle Book renaissance is just getting underway. A sequel to this film to be helmed once again by Favreau has already been green lit. Also, this summer a Jungle Book clone in the form of Tarzan (but not the Disney story) will also grace the big screen. And even more confusingly, motion-capture magician Andy Serkis is directing and starring in his own darker, non-Disney version of The Jungle Book due out in 2018. B+ The Jungle Book is rated PG and has a running time of 1 hour and 45 minutes. If you stay a few minutes into the end credits, you will be treated to a reprise of Walken’s “I Wan’na Be Like You,” which I of course completely recommend.

The visuals are stunning in this movie! I like this remake of the Jungle Book. It was lighthearted, fun, nostalgic, entertaining and well done. The actors did a great job! Neel Sethi, played a very convincing Mowgli. Raksha, the mother wolf, played by Lupita Amondi Nyong'o, was one of my favorite characters. She brought so much heart and soul to this movie. I loved watching her with her wolf cubs. I loved Bill Murray as Baloo and the bare necessities references. Between Bill Murray's Baloo and Christopher Walken's King Louie, I was thoroughly entertained and amused! They were perfect for those roles! Ben Kingsly was fantastic as Bagheera, the panther, Mowgli's mentor/protector/teacher. He has that presence, wisdom, and dignity about him. Scarlett Johansson as Kaa, the python, was entertaining. I would have loved to see more of Kaa in the movie. Idris Elba as Shere Khan was fierce and frightening! You could certainly feel that sense of threat!

Amazing story brought in such a beautiful way with a live young boy that was raised & living with wolves in the jungle (all the animals are animated but you feel like they're real and their voices are from GREAT actors). It blew me away when I saw it for the 1st time and thereafter. I'm a senior and didn't expect to love this movie so much. The story & characters are mesmerizing. It was directed & co-produced by Jon Favreau (he's a genius) who also directed some of the Marvel Movies (he even acted in them - very funny). Highly recommend this jaw-dropping movie.

Yes, I'm one of those people who often feels that you just can't trump my childhood memories of the "classic original" Disney movies with these new remakes and their over-hyped, fancy computer graphics. I even have a good rant or two concerning the "lack of originality these days". But honestly? I thought this movie was great. It was beautiful to watch, the characters felt sincere and real, and the story carries you along effortlessly. I even felt that Mowgli's character was improved upon. In the original version he was quite petulant, often complaining about how unfair it was that he had to move away, despite the threat against his life. But in this version, he understood that his presence put his family in danger, and he was much more willing to step up and make sacrifices for their safety. It was emotionally engaging, and I am definitely happy to have seen it. I think you will be too!

Una muy buena película en cuanto a efectos visuales como actuaciones, las voces de los personajes son geniales disfrutar de Bill Murray, Walken, Johansson y Kingsley. Excelente imagen y extras.

Das "Dschungelbuch" von Rudyard Kipling ist eines der bekanntesten Jugendbücher aller Zeiten. Ein riesiger Erfolg wurde auch die Verfilmung von Zoltan Korda aus dem Jahr 1942. Aber Walt Disney toppte diesen Erfolg noch um ein Vielfaches. Der Zeichentrickfilm von Wolfgang Reithermann aus dem Jahr 1967 zählt bis heute 335 Millionen Kinobesucher und steht damit auf Platz 5 der meistbesuchten Kinofilme aller Zeiten. In Deutschland ist "Das Dschungelbuch" sogar mit über 23 Millionen Zuschauer der größte Kinoerfolg aller Zeiten. Basierend auf Kiplings Geschichte des jungen Mowgli und vor allem auf den Zeichentrickfilm entstand 2016 eine Realfilm-Neuverfilmung. Mit der Regie wurde Jon Favreau (Cowoys and Aliens, Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Kiss the Cook) wurde beauftragt und auch ihm gelang ein riesiger Blockbuster-Erfolg. Diese neue Disney Version von "Jungle Book" erreichte Megaeinnahmen von 961 Millionen Dollar weltweit und steht derzeit auf Platz 31 der erfolgreichsten Kassenschlager. Es gibt im Film nur einen einzigen menschlichen Hauptdarsteller und das ist der kleine Mowgli (Neel Sethi) - alle anderen Akteure sind Tiere. In einer Traumsequenz taucht dann der zweite Mensch auf, es ist gleichzeitig der verstorbene Vater (Ritesh Rajan) von Mowgli und in diesem Blick in die Vergangenheit erfährt der Zuschauer auch, warum der berüchtigte und legendäre Tiger Shir Khan das Menschenkind töten will. Aber zuerst ist noch alles in Ordnung im Dschungel. Mowgli ist ein Fremdkörper unter den vielen wilden Tieren des Dschungels. Und es wird in der ersten Szene Jagd auf ihn gemacht. Er wird von einem Rudel Wölfe verfolgt und noch was gefährlicheres ist ihm auf den Fersen. Ein schwarzer Panther...dieser holt den Jungen auch ein. Aber anstatt dem sicheren Tod entpuppt sich das Rennen zwischen Menschenkind, Raubkatze und Wölfen als Spiel und als Training für den kleinen Jungen. Der wurde vor einigen Jahren von Panther Baghira im Dschungel gefunden und in die Obhut eines Wolfrudels gegeben, weil jeder eine Familie braucht. So wuchs der Kleine als Kind der Wölfin Raksha im Rudel von Akela auf. Die Mutter ermahnt ihren Jungen immer wieder sich wie ein Wolf zu benehmen und nicht mit den Tricks der Menschen zu arbeiten. Denn vor den Menschen fürchtet man sich - die Menschen kennen das Geheimnis des Feuers und sind somit den Tieren überlegen. Mowgli lernt, dass die Wölfe immer zusammenhalten und er lernt auch andere Gesetze des Dschungels. Als eine längere Trockenzeit herrscht, wird er von dem rachsüchtigen Tiger Shir Khan entdeckt, der fortan Jagd auf Mowgli macht. Es gibt nur eins: Der Junge muss seine Wolfsfamilie verlassen und wieder zu den Menschen zurückkehren. Dorthin wird er von Baghira begleitet, sie geraten aber in einem Hinterhalt des Tigers und so setzt Mowgli den gefahrvollen Weg aus dem Dschungel alleine fort. Er begegnet der Schlange, Kaa, dem lebenslustigen Bären Balou, dem Affenkönig King Louie und den majestätischen Elefanten... Natürlich kommt es auch noch zu dem Kampf mit dem Tiger. Und dies alles wurde sehr liebevoll in Szene gesetzt. Der Film wirkt jetzt schon wie ein echter Klassiker und muss die Vergleiche mit dem legendären Zeichentrickfilm nicht scheuen. Er ist so einfach und präzise in seiner Erzählungen und in den gesamten Charakterisierungen, dass es eine echte Freude ist. Die Geschichte über die Beziehung zwischen Mensch und Natur, zwischen Mensch und Tier ist nicht nur ein Thema für Kinder, sondern sie lässt mit ihrer einfachen Botschaft auch den erwachsenen Zuschauer wieder etwas jünger fühlen und auf die Werte besinnen, die wirklich wichtig sind. Im Original sprechen bekannte Schauspieler mit markanter Stimme die Tierfiguren. So sind Scarlett Johannsson, Ben Kingsley, Christopher Walken, Idris Elba oder Bill Murray zu hören. Die Figuren sind klasse gemacht und die Geschichte setzt auf Verzauberung und Magie und lässt auch diese von Kipling im Jahre 1894 und 1895 geschriebenen Erzählungen über den Dschungel Indiens wieder auferstehen. Die Stimme Kingsleys verleiht dem Film noch mehr an Stärke und Leben - bei allen Figuren handelt es isch um starke, einfache und klar motivierte Charaktere. Sehr beeindruckend der Tiger, der aufgrund seiner körperlichen und seelischen Narben zum erbitterten Feind des Menschen wird. Er bedeutet Mowglis Tod, aber seine Sichtweise wird irgendwann plausibel. Trotz der CGI Effekte wirkt der Film nie künstlich, wei genügend Sensibilität von Machern aufgebracht wurde, seine Figuren ruhig und majestätisch zum Leben zu erwecken. Für mich eine echte Überraschung in der Sparte Blockbuster - es funktioniert auch mit Herz.

I don’t think that this film is better than the original, I mean the original is a classic, but I do prefer this movie more. The story is newer, the characters and voices actors are amazing, and the movie came in perfectly.

Muy buena peli, tiene doblaje y subtítulos en español latino.

I just want to say a couple of things for this movie The Jungle Book” I love it. and I can’t believe it finished so quick, my goodness I could’ve watched this forever an ever, and I don’t even have kids, this kid must’ve worked very hard for all the scenes that was required. Love It So Much...I have to say this is the way a Blu-Ray disc should be, after weeks when I put the disc back in it said, you previously viewed it would you like to. yes or no. Disney do it right, Can’t Stop Loving It.....