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| Mowgli and Baloo float down the river singing Bare Necessities |
LIVE ACTION FILM
(Notice: I did not receive anything for this review. My family paid for our own tickets. The views expressed here are my own. In addition, I try to list anything that may be offensive to anyone, but that does not mean that I find it offensive, or that you will find it offensive).
- Rudyard Kipling publishes a collection of stories entitled The Jungle Book in 1894. Some of the stories surround Mowgli, a man cub, who is raised by wolves in the jungle in India. Akela (wolf), Baloo (the bear), Bagheera (black panther), Shere Khan (tiger), Kaa (python), and more are found throughout the storyline. Kipling also released The Second Jungle Book in 1895 which feature more stories about Mowgli.
- In 1967 Walt Disney’s Animated Jungle Book is released. This was the last movie that Walt Disney had his hand in as he died during production. Certain liberties were taken with the storyline, and the film has upbeat music. While watching the movie, you may forget that Shere Khan is trying to kill Mowgli.
- In 1994 Walt Disney Pictures releases Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book which is a live-action film. It uses stories from both The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book by Kipling. The animals do not speak in this film.
- In 2003, Walt Disney’s Studios released a sequel to the animated classic, The Jungle Book 2. It does not follow the storyline of Kipling’s second book.
- On April 15, 2016, Walt Disney releases a Live-Action Film entitled The Jungle Book. In this version, the animals talk. It follows Kipling’s storyline more than the animated film. This film is not a musical, although some of the music from the animated classic is reproduced in this version.
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| Movie Poster |
In addition to Disney’s versions of The Jungle Book several other studios have produced films based on Kipling’s work throughout the past 70 years. Comic books, video games and more have been made after this classic story.
Brief synopsis: Mowgli, the man cub, is rescued by Bagheera after his father is killed by Shere Khan (the tiger). Mowgli is raised by the wolf pack. Shere Khan is determined to kill the man cub, and so Bagheera decides it is necessary for Mowgli to go back to his people.
The cast of the latest film includes:
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- Neel Sethi as Mowgli
- Bill Murray as Baloo
- Ben Kingsley as Bagheera
- Idris Elba as Shere Khan
- Lupita Nyong’o as Raksha
- Scarlett Johansson as Kaa
- Christopher Walken as King Louie
- Garry Shandling (Garry died before the release of this film) as Ikki
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This film is rated PG for some sequences of scary action and peril. We personally did not see this movie in 3D.
THE GOOD:
This is a visually stunning movie. It is very easy to get caught up in the scenery. Once again Disney does not disappoint in the attention to detail, the storyline, and the quality of workmanship that goes into their productions. The casting and the interactions are superb. There was no objectionable language.
ITEMS TO BE AWARE OF:
This is an intense movie, and it has you jumping in your seat. Several characters are killed in this movie. There are sequences of running through the jungle, chases, fight scenes that are intense, and animals roar loudly. King Louie is huge – much, much bigger than in the animated film. And he is menacing. There are several very loud scenes. In fact, my youngest son (11 years old) commented that it was a loud movie. There is a stampede scene with water buffaloes similar to The Lion King, however, since this is a live-action film it may be frightening to children. There is also a flood and a landslide which is realistic, loud, and powerful. Shere Khan is threatening and violent.
When Mowgli leaves the wolf pack it is a sad and very emotionally charged scene as he is leaving the only mother he has known. While Mowgli is traveling through the jungle, he is all alone in some parts. Mowgli encounters Kaa (the snake) and is hypnotized. The snake’s eyes become like “crystal balls” and Mowgli can see the past. Baloo lies to Mowgli to get him to leave. His motives are pure as he wants whats best for the man-cub.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
Our family enjoyed this movie. It is a spectacular production that is closer to the original book than the animated classic. I enjoy the lightheartedness of the 1967 animated movie, and I didn’t expect to like this version. I do, however, appreciate this remake. I recommend this movie for approximately 8 and up. As with any movie, if you are unsure if your child will be frightened, it is always best to preview it.
I purchased the following book to read before I went to see the movie. I had a read a different version, but wanted something illustrated to read with my son. I absolutely love this copy. It is a wonderful bookshelf addition and well worth the money. (This is an affiliate link which means I receive a small percentage of your purchase to keep my website going.)
Disney has produced a fifty-page Educator’s Guide to use with this movie. This guide is suitable for Grades 4-8, and is full of activities, science facts, animal facts, and more. I am truly impressed with the depth of this guide. For a downloadable version, Click Here!
For an eighteen page activity pack for students to be used in conjunction with the Educator’s Guide,, Click Here! This activity pack includes information about some of the animals in the film, how to make animal shadow puppets, and more.
Interesting to note is that in India, The Jungle Book was released a week earlier and received a U/A rating which means that parents must accompany a child under 12 to the film.
FOR MORE FUN ACTIVITIES – SPOT THE DIFFERENCE ACTIVITY SHEET
Have you seen DISNEY’S Zootopia? Read my review on this awesome movie, and my recommendations for children.
Reviewing movies for parents from a Christian perspective since 2005. Know Before You Go!
Christian Homeschooling mom – 30 years and counting
Autism Mom & Disney enthusiast
