The Jungle Book
Starring Neel Sethi, Bill Murray
Directed by Jon Favreau
Movie remakes and reboots are a tricky business; rarely do they manage to enhance or even eclipse the original content. Yet, somehow Jon Favreau and his illustrious team of digital wizards have succeeded in giving a decades-old property vigorous new life, thereby completely justifying its existence.
Disney’s The Jungle Book was released in 1967 (Walt himself died during production) and has been revered in pop culture for years as one of the studio’s finest animated achievements. What could a live action remake in 2016 possibly accomplish?
A lot, it turns out.
This new version, without a trace of hyperbole, contains arguably the best visual effects in the history of film. The claim is made all the more impressive knowing the movie was shot entirely on sound stages in L.A. and 12-year old Neel Sethi, who plays Mowgli, is the only part of the film not generated by computers. The results are not only visually spectacular but also grounded by a surprisingly complex plot, thorough character examination, and impressive vocal work from stars like Idris Elba and Bill Murray.
There are a few missteps along the way. Young Sethi’s acting inexperience shows in some of the more dramatic scenes and the shoehorning of two iconic songs is genuine fan service but awkwardly placed.
Though not necessarily “better” than its predecessor, this Jungle Book manages to tell a more expanded story and delves into some of Kipling’s themes of jungle hierarchy in vivid detail; it will surely endure as a more-than-worthy companion.
