April 30, 2016 -- This is Disney studio's second take on classic Rudyard Kipling stories about the Tarzan-like boy, Mowgli (played, in this film, by Neel Sethi). Disney's first film, released in 1967, was animated, old-style 2D hand-drawn animation. This new film is live action, but a majority of it is 3D computer animation, blended seamlessly with 3D live action. The result is an unusual blend lifelike imagery and otherworldly animal action. The visuals are compelling, as is the story.

The story about a boy raised by wolves in the jungle is based on Kipling's Jungle Book stories, “Mowgli's Brothers” and “Kaa's Hunting.” Kaa (a python voiced by Scarlett Johansson) is cast as a villain in this film, but she helped to rescue Mowgli in Kipling's original story. By the way, the books, written in the 1890s, are now in the public domain.

Mowgli, a boy whose father was killed in a battle with Shere Khan, a mighty tiger, is raised by a wolf pack, with the aid of the black panther Bagheera. Shere Khan, badly burned by Mowgli's father, wants revenge against all humans, particularly Mowgli. Although the wolf pack vows to defend Mowgli, he decides to leave the pack's protection rather than risk any of them coming to harm because of the threat posed by Shere Khan.

Bagheera leads Mowgli towards a human village, telling him that only humans can protect him against Shere Khan, but Mowgli and Bagheera become separated. Lost in the jungle, Mowgli teams up with a con artist of a bear, Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray) and they quickly become friends. Baloo encourages Mowgli to develop his tool-making skills, and soon he is using ropes and cutters to get more honey for Baloo.

Bagheera finally catches up with Mowgli. After another adventure and rescue, Bagheera and Baloo are unable to convince Mowgli to leave the jungle when he learns that Shere Khan has attacked his wolf pack in his absence. He returns to the wolf pack to help defend them against the tiger, with the aid of Bagheera and Baloo. In this final confrontation with the powerful Shere Khan, Mowgli finally finds his place in the world.

I probably saw at least part of the 1967 version of “The Jungle Book,” but it did not make an impression upon me. I expect I will remember this new film version of the story for the rest of my life. While this story has some darkness in it, hatred and death, there is also love and courage, and Baloo provides some much-needed comic relief. This film rates a B. Kudos to director Jon Favreau (“Iron Man”). You da man!

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

Copyright © 2016 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.

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