Why you absolutely must watch The Jungle Book
If there's one movie you must watch this week, it is The Jungle Book. Here's why the live-action adaptation works:
It’s got the aww factor
Neel Sethi’s inexperience shows especially in the opening few scenes but one can sense that being in the company of Bill Murray, voice of Baloo, the genial but lazy bear, did him some good as the young actor is more at ease with the experienced funny man.
The lighthearted scenes between Mowgli and Baloo are some of the most memorable of Disney’s live-action adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s popular stories. Add Ben Kingsley, voice of Bagheera the black panther, bantering with Baloo, and you have a partnership that uplifts The Jungle Book.
It has also got the fear factor
You don’t want to be messing with tigers after The Jungle Book. Shere Khan is menacing with the maleficent voice of Idris Elba, who if he can’t be the next James Bond, can most definitely be his perfect arch-nemesis. The creature roars, leaving even the wolves petrified.
We don’t agree with Pahlaj Nihalani, but there are some sequences that genuinely leave you scared for poor Mowgli. Most of the time it is mostly the fierce-eyed, merciless Shere Khan who is responsible for leaving viewers edgy. Credit also goes to the work of the visual effects team who give Shere Khan the right menace with the burnt face and fierce eyes.
The terrific voice cast
Andy Serkis-directed The Jungle Book: Origins which makes use of performance-capture technology and has a star-studded voice cast in Cate Blanchett, Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, has its work cut out.
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| The visual effects team does an impeccable job of creating the jungle. |
In this Jon Favreau-directed film, the voice cast hits the right notes to keep you hooked to Mowgli’s journey. Apart from Murray, Kingsley and Elba, Christopher Walken also has his moment as the overweight and imposing orangutan, King Louie, featuring in one of the film’s most engrossing action-packed sequences.
Lupita Nyong’o is a soothing presence as Mowgli’s adoptive mother, Raksha. Scarlett Johansson adds the hypnotising effect as the snake Kaa and the late Garry Shandling provides laughs as the porcupine Ikki.
The jungle is alive
It is difficult to imagine that Rudyard Kipling’s India adventure was shot in Los Angeles. The visual effects team of the Disney film makes a strong case for an Oscar next year by doing an impeccable job of creating the jungle – the lifelike creatures and the lush wilderness – in all its magnificent glory. There is no denying that The Jungle Book is an effects-heavy visual wonder. Watch it in 3D IMAX and it’s even more real.
That subtly delivered message
It is an all-too-familiar story that tugs at the heartstrings but the Disney film, much like its animated super-hit Frozen, emphasises the need to not stifle your creativity to fit in, and embrace your individuality.
Raised by wolves, Mowgli is told that he needs to act like one if he is to survive and not rely on his tricks. But Mowgli is ultimately a human and he gradually adapts to the unknown like most humans do – after a few hiccups and mistakes. That’s how it should be.