The Jungle Book (Review) - A Bear Necessity

Way back in 1967, when the original Jungle Book came out, a childhood icon was created. The film still stands up today, and although the visuals may be a little dated, the classic tunes that remain from that movie are just as poignant nowadays as they were in the late 60s. Now, with this year's remake, we get a much more narratively-driven film that takes the original formula, but injects it with more depth, more character, and - perhaps most importantly - a whole lot of charm. 

The story's relatively similar to the original film's, but here's a quick update if you're unaware: Mowgli the man-cub (Neel Sethi) has grown up with a pack of wolves in the jungle, after his parents disappeared when he was only a baby. However, when the terrifying lion Shere Khan (Idris Elba) hears of Mowgli's existence, he declares it his mission to kill the young boy personally. With this news, Mowgli's panther friend Begheera (Ben Kinglsey) decides that the man-cub must be taken back to the man-village, and so begins a journey of adventure, danger, and discovery. 

It all sounds very whimsical, but that's just what Disney does best. Though the charming visuals of the original film have gone, the enjoyment of watching these characters interact with one another is stronger than ever. This is especially commendable when you remember that Mowgli is technically the only actor present; with the rest of the cast generated through CGI. Don't let this sway you, however; the voice performances are absolutely nailed all around. The lovable bear, Baloo, is voiced by Bill Murray in this remake, and he infuses the character with a sense of comedy only touched upon by the original movie. 

Mowgli's upbringing and relationship with his wolf mother, Raksha (Lupita Nyong'o), is also fleshed-out. In fact, this fleshing-out is present throughout the whole movie, which leads to motivations and actions which actually feel like they have a purpose. This is especially apparent with Shere Khan, who is given a clear and valid reason for wanting to hunt and kill Mowgli. 

Unfortunately, the hypnotic snake Kaa, voiced by Scarlett Johansson, feels almost pointless in the film. All that she provides is some exposition, which is a shame, because the snake is designed immaculately to look intimidating, yet enticing. I'm not saying that the movie needed to focus purely on Kaa, but the presence of the character is almost forgettable - something which certainly can't be said for the original movie. I know I've referenced the original a lot, and this is certainly a film in its own right, but it's hard not to when they both share the same name. 

What can be said, though, is that The Jungle Book is an incredibly good looking movie. The titular jungle looks luscious and inviting, and the critters that inhabit it are all photo-realistic. Consistently throughout, it's entirely possible to forget that you're looking at CGI images, and not animals that director Jon Favreau taught to perform. Certain creative liberties are taken - such as with King Louie (Christopher Walken) being colossal in size - but these are completely justifiable given the nature of the film. 

For those of you wondering: yes, the songs from the original return in some capacity. Don't expect this to be a musical, but classics like The Bear Necessities are woven seamlessly into the soundtrack to form a wondrous experience that kids will enjoy just as much as the adults who adore the 1967 original. There is a moment at which a song is sung which does feel slightly forced, but you'll likely forget it and get caught up in just how fun the film is to watch. 

Verdict
Thankfully, The Jungle Book is just as enjoyable to watch as I had hoped it would be. All of the voice performances are spot-on, and Neel Sethi as Mowgli fits in perfectly to the iconic role. There's just very little to dislike about this, honestly. Sure, it changes some things up from the classic story, and the ending is altered, but I think that these changes are for the better. If you like the 1967 film, or just like Disney movies, or even if you just like Bill Murray; see this movie. You won't regret it one bit. 

"I am Mowgli, and this is my home!"