The Jungle Book (3D) ****
Sometimes it pays off to remake a classic, especially a live-action version because we not only get to revisit some beloved characters, but see them transformed into real-life forms. This is the case with Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book, first animated by Disney in 1967 to become a household classic, then brought to life much later in 1994 with Jason Scott Lee as an adult Mowgli, the human star of the story.
Disney’s 2016 live-action The Jungle Book remains absolutely true to the 1967 story, and has youngster Mowgli, impressively played by rising new star Neel Sethi. It also has the full arsenal of latter-day special effects to hand. In fact, it’s so in-tune with what is deemed by big studios as being an ultimate kids’ action film offering today – complete with 3D, it also bombards you with vision and sound on an IMAX screen.
This is thrilling to witness as it ravages the senses in half the scenes, but often too scary and intimidating for younger kids to deal with – parents, be warned by the PG rating. My three-year-old was terrified by the stampeding wildebeest and mudslides, let alone the likes of Shere Khan or Kaa in full swing.
In the story, a young boy called Mowgli (Sethi) is found in the jungle by a black panther called Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley) and taken to be raised by wolves as a man-cub. However, embittered tiger Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba) warns the animals that Mowgli will grow up to be a man and ultimately, put them in danger with the ‘red flower’ (fire). He threatens to kill the boy before he reaches adulthood.
After the death of wolf-pack leader Akela (voiced by Giancarlo Esposito), Shere Khan begins his man-cub hunt. Mowgli reluctantly flees into the jungle, guided by Bagheera and con-artist bear Baloo (voiced by Bill Murray). Hence Mowgli’s journey of self-discovery begins.
The 2016 film does look glorious on an IMAX screen, though watching it in 3D is another ‘fad’ and not necessary to enjoying its full impact, especially as the glasses at our Leicester Square screening didn’t come in kiddy-friendly-size. The result is small kids end up part-watching a fuzzy image, which is a great shame. With the impressive sound, this film is effective enough, but the big screen exposes you to its spectacular landscapes and really immerses you into the jungle terrain. 2D would still do the trick though.
Fear not, the latest, kinetic incarnation has all the classic songs too, for a bit of downtime from the arresting action. Murray’s voice is perfect as cheeky Baloo, especially when he breaks into song with ‘Bare Necessities’, making the character his own. Elba as Shere Khan is truly menacing. Christopher Walken lends his voice to King Louie, the King of the Swingers (monkeys), conjuring up images of a singing-and-dancing Walken of Fatboy Slim video fame having just as much fun here, though not as nimble as Louie.
If there was a weaker voice to the cast, it would be Scarlett Johansson as slippery snake Kaa. While Sterling Holloway’s 1967 lisping tones are long gone, Johansson’s supposedly seductive ones do not quite do the terrifying reptile image justice, even though the visuals more than compensate to bring on a chill factor.
The Jungle Book (2016) is full of vibrant creativity, noise and movement, probably requiring more than one viewing to fully appreciate what has gone into producing it. This makes it a childhood classic all over again. However, little ones might be best left to the original cartoon version – or run the risk of nightmares, even if the live-action dramatics still compels them to watch through one open eye in your lap until the very end.
4/5 stars
By @FilmGazer
