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The Jungle Book – movie review

An immersive, jaw-dropping viewing experience

  


The Jungle Book, movie review

Mowgli, an orphaned human boy who, guided by his animal guardians, sets out on a journey of self-discovery while evading the threatening Shere Khan.

‘The Jungle Book’ is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub raised in the jungle by a family of wolves, who embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery when he’s forced to abandon the only home he’s ever known.

Directed by Jon Favreau and based on Rudyard Kipling’s timeless stories and inspired by Disney’s classic animated film, “The Jungle Book” is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves.

Rudyard Kipling penned the collection of short stories, “The Jungle Book,” in the early 1890s from his home in Vermont. There are similarities in naming the wild animals as they are refered to in India. It is said that the idea and the characters had germinated in his mind during Rudyard Kiplin’s stay in India.

But Mowgli finds he is 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.

The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela.

Neel Sethi who is 12 now, was selected from thousands of candidates following a worldwide search for the perfect man-cub.

Based on the original ‘The Jungle Book’ created by Rudyard Kipling which had its Indian connections, this Hollywood flick is sure to be a big craze in India with the hindi version being simultaneously released has voices of Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan Khan, Nana Patekar, Om Puri and Shefali Shah.

The Jungle Book seamlessly blends live-action with photorealistic CGI animals and environments, using up-to-the-minute technology and storytelling techniques to immerse audiences in an enchanting and lush world.

Click on the Thumbnails for enlarged pics:

Cast:
Neel Sethi as Mowgli (the man cub)

Hindi Version – Voices of:
Priyanka Chopra
Irrfan Khan
Nana Patekar
Om Puri
Shefali Shah

English Version – Voices of:
Bill Murray
Ben Kingsley
Idris Elba
Lupita Nyong’o
Scarlett Johansson
Giancarlo Esposito
Christopher Walken

Credits:
Based on The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
Director: Jon Favreau
Producers: Jon Favreau, Brigham Taylor
Screenplay by: Justin Marks
Music by John Debney
Cinematography – Bill Pope
Edited by Mark Livolsi
Production company – Walt Disney Pictures, Fairview Entertainment
Distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Jungle Book, movie review