I will admit that there are a handful of things that I miss from my childhood–the absence of bills, mind crippling stress, and designated nap time.. But mostly, I think this film reminded me that I missed being enthralled by anthropomorphic talking animals.
I’m not just talking about the animated films where their ability to speak in human languages is excusable, but the live action films that harken back to family romps like Cats and Dogs, Babe, Homeward Bound, and my personal favorite–Frankie Muniz’s Racing Stripes (I was a young impressionable child, okay).
All of these films, including The Jungle Book, boil down to the bonds that humans form with their animal companions. Not just “man vs. wild”, but the love and uncomplicated mutual affection that can exist between humans and nature.
Perhaps uncomplicated is the wrong choice of words, because The Jungle Book isn’t all cuddles, furry animals and howling at the moon. Directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man), this remake based on Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, examines Mowgli’s struggle to reconcile his humanity.
For him, life gets very complicated when his place among his wolf family is challenged by a man-hating tiger at the community watering hole. You know when you get called out at the watering hole, it’s a done deal.
Voiced by Idris Elba (Beasts of No Nation), Shere Khan implores the other animals to see Mowgli as a threat to their collective livelihood just as he does, thundering, “How many lives is a man cub worth?” Shere Khan’s distrust of Mowgli mirrors Koba’s, Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ (2015) main antagonist, strong anti-human sentiments.
Just the same, his gripe against mankind fuels a dangerous crusade that threatens to collapse the seemingly harmonious community that the animals have made for themselves. Although he is urged by his adoptive family to leave the jungle, Shere Khan makes it extremely difficult for Mowgli to join civilization, threatening the only family and home he has ever known.
Newcomer Neel Sethi plays Mowgli with a youthful tenacity–he is naive, bratty, defiant and curious. Most importantly, he acts like a child, not a tiny adult as some child actors are often misdirected to do. For his first film, especially acting off of and reacting to things he can’t see, Sethi does a commendable job.
Through the course of the movie, everyone takes turns telling Mowgli what he is and what he isn’t. In the end, he learns he must fight like a “man” and use his wits and opposable thumbs instead of brute force like the other animals. He must embrace his humanity and wolf upbringing equally.
The rest of the stacked voice cast, including Ben Kingsley, and Lupita Nyong’o , also put in solid performances. Bill Murray is perfectly cast as the sheisty bear Baloo, providing some comedic relief while aiding Mowgli on his trying journey.
Christopher Walken–who is always a pleasure–voices the gargantuan orangutan, King Louie. Watching him burst out in a musical number was equal parts terrifying and magnificent. Both Elba as Shere Khan and Walken as Louie bring an incredible amount of gravitas to their roles.
Putting on equally disturbing performances, their strong and imposing presences barely contained by the CGI animals they are portraying. There are several things that you can expect from recent Disney live action remakes of animated classics: fair independent princesses with flowing locks who don’t need no man to save them, sprawling magical kingdoms and landscapes, and fairy tale archetypes broader than a gorilla’s backside.
While they all have their merits, The Jungle Book is a refreshing break from that tradition. There is some truly amazing imagery in this film. There is a particular scene involving a mudslide that is incredibly harrowing as well as a.goosebump-worthy end battle. You could hardly guess that the movie was filmed on some Los Angeles soundstage.
While predictable and often slow at times, The Jungle Book is an enchanting, intense film about the layers of identity, family and community that the all ages can enjoy. There have been many cinematic versions of The Jungle Book, and this iteration certainly won’t be the last.
Warner Bros. and Andy Serkis (The Hobbit) are also helming their own Jungle Book film, which is said to be delving deeper into Kipling’s mythos. If you enjoyed Jungle Book be on the look out for Pete’s Dragon which is due out this summer August 12.
Zhana Johnson
Senior Features Editor
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