Review:
Jon Favreau is the king of the
jungle with his sumptuous live-action reboot.
Just in case you've been living under a rock for most
of your life, The Jungle Book tells
the story of the 'man-cub' Mowgli, who is pushed into leaving his family of
wolves to head to the Man Village. He does this in fear of his life after the
menacing tiger Shere Khan decides he wants to hunt the boy down, terrorising
anyone that gets in his way.
The film utterly exceeded my expectations; Favreau
perfectly balances staying faithful to the well-loved Rudyard Kipling story and
the Disney animated cartoon from 1967, whilst being brave enough to embark on
telling a more modernised tale with great panache.
Whilst this version of The Jungle Book does have a darker undertone with the threat
feeling more intense due to its realism, it is a delightful example of classic
storytelling that reaches thrilling heights figuratively and literally (when
seeing Mowgli and Bagheera racing through their breathtaking jungle
surroundings). The world created in this film is visually sublime – rich, vivid
and spirited, the audience are treated to an immersive experience from the very
start.
The precocious young actor Neel Sethi provides a
phenomenal performance as Mowgli - and he wasn't exactly given the
easiest job being placed into a setting ready for CGI with, as he said himself,
only puppets to work and have fun with. Illustrious vocal performances from the
star-studded cast, including Idris Elba, Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Ben
Kingsley and Christopher Walken, breathe life into the story’s iconic creatures
of the jungle; I don't think I've ever observed digitally animated talking
animals that feel so convincing.
This film is not the sing-along sensation of the
animated classic, but the couple of songs included from the original flowed
naturally - particularly ‘The Bare Necessities’, which perfectly encapsulates
Murray's delightful turn at voicing Baloo the Bear.
The Jungle Book, is an
action-packed, witty and heartfelt adventure, and ultimately a lesson in love,
family and friendship: no matter how different you are to those around you,
your home is wherever you feel you belong.
