REVIEWby Frank Calvillo
I can recall back in the mid-’90s when Disney’s first attempt at a live-action version of The Jungle Book was released, which saw a grown-up Mowgli try to assimilate into human society. It’s hard to describe the level of detachment I felt for the surprisingly hollow film, which favored action over heart at the expense of storytelling potency. As a result, a great amount of skepticism accompanied me to this Jon Favreau- directed version, which boasts an all-star cast voicing every animal under the sun. Thankfully all forms of cynicism quickly vanished as a result of this well-executed production which showcased a bevy of impressive effects and glorious cinematography.
The plot of The Jungle Book remains more or less true to the original text by Rudyard Kipling; an orphaned human boy named Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is taken in by a pack of wolves and raised as one of their own. However, when his existence threatens the peace and safety of the pack, Mowgli decides to run away where he soon comes face to face with the many dangers that lay ahead in the jungle.
Many will surely dismiss this version of the classic novel as yet another remake to be churned out by the Hollywood machine. However, the story and meaning of Kipling’s original text is so strong that another interpretation is more than welcome. At the heart of The Jungle Book are notions of acceptance, loyalty, and bravery. It is about the facing of fears, the beginning of the end of childhood, and finally, it is about family and knowing where one belongs. Given who is behind the wheel of this version, one would expect spectacle to be favored over substance, but Favreau has wisely kept the richness of the novel’s various themes intact.
While it might not come off as a typical Favreau film, The Jungle Book works as another solid entry in the director’s canon. After successfully proving he can handle sentimental holiday fare with Elf, big-budget superhero spectacle with the first two Iron Man installments, and indie comedy with Chef, Favreau has proven himself to be one of the most diverse film directors working today. Doubtless some will say that it’s his popularity with audiences which got him The Jungle Book gig, rather than his approach to the material. Make no mistake, Favreau successfully balances the action, effects and humor with a deep understanding of the novel’s more poignant and emotional sensibilities, unveiling another side of himself as a filmmaker.
For me, whenever an actor takes on a voice over job, it becomes incredibly difficult to think of their commitment to not extend to anything much beyond just an easy paycheck. However, the cast of The Jungle Book quickly dispels that myth, with the entire ensemble, especially Lupita Nyong’o as Raksha the wolf, Bill Murray as Baloo the bear, Ben Kingsley as Bagheera the panther, and Idris Elba as Shere Khan the tiger, treating their roles with such dignity and respect as if they were playing them for real. It’s a real shame to report, however, that as Mowgli, Sethi is simply the wrong choice to play the heroic youngster, coming across as either annoying or simply not present when surrounded by animals played by such accomplished actors.
It really is a shame that The Jungle Book wasn’t released during the summer season since this is exactly the kind of imaginative escapism children should be exposed to during their break from school. Growing up, this was the very kind of offering that the summer blockbuster used to represent — a piece of mesmerizing adventure with equal parts entertainment and honest pathos that left young moviegoers feeling energized and enlivened. Fortunately, even though we are living in the age of the superhero, it’s more than a comfort to know that a movie like this still exists.
