The Jungle Book (2016)

2016 • 105 minutes

About this movie

Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, The Jungle Book is a live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he’s no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern-mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley) and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.

Ratings and reviews

Raised by a family of wolves since birth, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) must leave the only home he's ever known when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba) unleashes his mighty roar. Guided by a no-nonsense panther (Ben Kingsley) and a free-spirited bear (Bill Murray), the young boy meets an array of jungle animals, including a slithery python and a smooth-talking ape. Along the way, Mowgli learns valuable life lessons as his epic journey of self-discovery leads to fun and adventure.

I was surprised when they were remaking jungle book. I thought they couldn't do at first, but boy was I wrong. It's a family movie and an action movie and environmentally themed movie all blended into one. The good thing is that it works. Also, Christopher Walken, Bill Murray, and Scarlet Johannsen were great co-stars and deserve a big round of applause. Congratulations to iron man director Jon Favreau for making this stellar adaptation of the 1960's classic. Make more movies like this.

The special FX were great. The story was easy and clear to understand. Yet I think the movie overall needed a bit more content to help enhance the story further. I felt like it came too quickly to an end. Overall I thought it was a good movie to take the entire family to see. I like the fact that Mowgli was accepted in the animal world by the wolf pack (especially his mom). The bond the boy had with his wolf mom, the bear and the cat was the reason he survived in the jungle quite well through the years.