'The Jungle Book' - A New Disney Standard
Disney has certainly raised the bar with the amazing 'The Jungle Book'! You've read the book as a child, if you're like me, you saw the original animated classic in the theaters; my kids grew up with it on VHS (virtually wearing the tape through) but nothing compares to the new vision of 'The Jungle Book' that director Jon Favreau so brilliantly brings to the screen! Virtually shot with nearly 99% CGI (the only 'live' being in the film is Mowgli played by the talented Neel Sethi) Favreau creates and draws us in to a jungle with animals filled with personality; personality (in some cases) so real that we forget we are watching a computer generated image.
By now we all know the classic tale of the boy raised by a pack of wolves in the jungle. But what we could never have expected was for that jungle to come so brilliantly to life. Featuring the talents of Bill Murray, perfectly cast as Baloo the bear; Ben Kingsley as the paternal panther Bagheera; Idrea Elba as the menacing tiger Shere Khan; Scarlet Johansson as the evil snake Ka; Lupita Nyong'o as Mowgli's adopted wolf mother Raksha and the always talented Christopher Walken as King Louie, a monstrous orangutan bent on ruling the jungle; all bring considerable might to an amazing movie.
This retelling of the classic 'Jungle Book' is something only Kipling could have ever imagined in his wildest dreams. Much to the credit of Favreau and screen writer Justin Marks, they do not rest on the amazing CGI, rather, they craft a tale that is filled with human emotions amidst the beasts of the wild. The story is as timeless as they come and Favreau develops it with his usual warm style. Adults and children alike will be amazed and moved by this film.
If there is ever a time you are going to pay the extra to see a film in IMAX and 3D,this is the one to do it. You will be transported into the jungle itself as well as into the story. I didn't notice a minute go by and even stayed for the credits which were a very happy treat. Bear (no pun intended) in mind that this is not your usual Disney 'Jungle Book', in fact, only two songs from the original even make it to the film. Instead, we are treated to Kipling's classic and while a little sanitized (this is Disney after all), Favbreau & Marks remained very true to the books core.
It's my first A+ of the season that I am hopeful won't be forgotten when the Oscars come around! Worth repeated viewings, pop into an IMAX/3D showing today!