Nutshell: astounding CGI, motion capture and first-class voice acting breathes new life into this live-action remake of Disney’s animated classic. Much darker than the original, The Jungle Book is nonetheless entertaining, blending touching moments with action that will keep kids of all ages on the edge of their seats. Young actor Neel Sethi is wonderfully human as Mowgli, the “man cub” of the forest. Grade: A
First off, let me just say that I’ve never seen all of the original Jungle Book. I’ve seen bits and pieces, from the boa constrictor Kaa’s hypnotizing “Trust In Me” and King Louie’s “I Wan’na Be Like You” to Shere Khan’s bumbling animosity. The 1967 film was definitely one for the kiddies, and that’s fine; it’s a much beloved classic. I have, however, read several of Kipling’s Mowgli stories, and loved their blend of dark and light. While fans of the original film will see echoes of their childhood favorites here, director Jon Favreau adds in a touch of the darkness that makes the Kipling tales so compelling. And by doing so, brings a beloved tale into the 21st century.
In The Jungle Book, “man cub” Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is a child literally raised by wolves. (I pity the grown adult who asks him that question if Mowgli is ever off his etiquette… “Why yes. Yes I was.”) His wolf-mother, Raksha (played by a wonderfully emotive Lupita Nyong’o) adores him, as do his wolf-brothers and wolf-father Akela (Giancarlo Esposito). But Mowgli isn’t advancing like his wolf-brothers; Mowgli must resort to “tricks” like the use of tools or climbing trees in order to keep up. Soon the pack must decide what to do with their beloved man-cub, but that choice is taken out of their hands when tiger Shere Khan ( Idris Elba) discovers Mowgli at a watering hole during a dry season “Water Truce”. Shere Khan was maimed by a human man, and now feels that any other human must pay the price. Panther/BFF Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) tries to take Mowgli to the Man Village, but is ambushed by Shere Khan along the way…leaving Mowgli to meet Kaa the snake (Scarlett Johansson), Baloo the bear (a perfectly cast – and dare I say spunky? – Bill Murray), and many other animals in the deeper parts of the jungle. Meanwhile, Shere Khan waits for Mowgli’s return, and Raksha fears for both her pack and her man-cub.
Hello Marvel fans! Ready for the newest entry into the MCU, Doctor Strange? Well, Jimmy Kimmel dropped the brand-new teaser trailer last night when Benedict Cumberbatch visited. And this is one groovy trailer. From the car crash that put a whammy on Strange’s career as a neurosurgeon (smashed hands means no more detailed surgery) to a possible peek at Strange’s home, the Sanctum Sanctorum, by way of Inception. Sweet!
Atomic Fangirl 