Jon Favreau's 2016 Adaptation of The Jungle Book Reigns Supreme

Reviewed by Kidzworld on Apr 26, 2015

Rating:

From Disney animation comes the live action film, The Jungle Book, based on the classic books by Rudyard Kipling. Check out KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ryans movie review on Kidzworld!

By Ryan R., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 12

The Jungle Book Video Review

I enjoyed watching the new Disney film, The Jungle Book with its vivid and realistic 3D animation. It is slightly different from the 1967 animated film and has outstanding voice acting from Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray, Christopher Walken and others.

Looking for the human villageCourtesy of Disney

In this movie you meet Mowgli (Neel Sethi), the only man cub in the jungle and he wants to be a wolf, but in reality he's not. He is raised by wolves and feels he has a nice life. One day, Shere Khan (Idris Elba) threatens Mowgli’s life. While the wolves argue about whether or not Mowgli should leave for the safety of the pack, Mowgli decides for them and leaves. He heads out to the “man village”. On his way, he meets many enemies and friends such as King Louie (Christopher Walken), Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) and Baloo (Bill Murray). What will happen next? Will he make it to the man village? Does Shere Khan catch him? You just have to watch the movie to find out.

Mowgli in the jungleCourtesy of Disney

What I like most about this movie is the 3D animation and the voice acting. The animals look so realistic and the sets look amazing as well with very detailed backgrounds. The voice acting is superb. Idris Elba and Scarlett Johansson are scary. Bill Murray is funny and Christopher Walken is scary and funny at the same time. They and the other voice actors truly bring the animals to life in this film. The music adds even more energy and excitement to the film and makes the scenes more interesting.

Mother wolf RakshaCourtesy of Disney

What I didn’t like about this movie is that there are many intense scenes. I jumped out of my seat a few times. This isn’t a movie for children younger than 9 years old. This is definitely a “know your kid” type of movie. I also didn’t like that King Louie wasn’t as friendly looking as in the original film, but besides that this movie is great and entertaining.

King Louie wants Mowgli to make fireCourtesy of Disney

The themes of this movie are 1) you can’t deny who you are and 2) animals who stick together, survive together. The wolves have their pack and Mowgli is raised as part of the pack. His natural instincts kick in and he makes inventions to make his life easier but is discouraged by the pack because “it is not the wolves’ way of doing things.” They are man’s way. When he is in trouble, his manmade inventions save him.

Mowgli confronts KaaCourtesy of Disney

I recommend this to kids ages 9 to 18. As I said, this really is a “know your kid movie.” It contains some very intense scenes that will be frightening to those who aren’t accustomed to such things. I give this film 4 out of 5 stars and recommend it to people who like to watch action, adventure and comedy movies.