For many like me, Disney movies were more than just a movie. These movies were full of inspiration, life lessons, and dreams. Girls had their princesses and guys had Toy Story and Tarzan. The Jungle Book was my obsession. I ate and slept the bear necessities. Hearing that they were remaking The Jungle Book, naturally, a series of emotions flooded my mind. I thought, wow, a chance to relive a movie that brought me so much joy as a child. Then there were the doubts, this can't be, they might tarnish the reputation of The Jungle Book. However, the second day of the movies airing, I went and saw it and let me tell you...
They didn't let me down. Now, I am not saying its better or equivalent to the original – as I must exaggerate just how impossible that would be, but it was pretty dang good. I was worrisome that the CGI and reality mix would diminish the quality, but instead of building on the premise, it had a sense of a new experience. It gave it the twist in order to be different. I can't imagine how difficult it must have been to be so young and to act alone in this movie as a child with no other actors other than voices. Hats off to "Mowgli" for pulling it off. As for the voice actors, absolutely amazing. I mean Bill freaking Murry for Baloo and Scarlett Johansson for the snake. I imagined it being hard to see realistic animals talk and have personalities, however with familiar voices that fit the characters spot on made it believable and allowed you to successfully emerge yourself into this imaginary world without second thoughts about the fact that these animals look like they were actually filmed.
The story had a few twists and changes. They focused and parts that weren't emphasized in the original movie and lacked focus on others. They used the fire, the songs, and even the snakes hypnosis all without appealing to much to the younger audiences. I found myself watching like it was the first time. The songs weren't exaggerated and the hypnosis was ever so faint. They hid in sentimental parts from the original without drawing top much attention as if it was a salute to the original respecting its quality. My only complaint would be the lack of relationship growth between Baloo and Mowgli. I would have liked to see more out of the friendship however where things lacked, other parts compensated.
I don't want to spoil it all by saying too much. What I can tell you is that you should see this movie even if you haven't seen the original or even if you aren't a child. It can teach everyone a few things. If you have seen the original, you aren't just watching a fancy version of the original, it's a new experience with differences that affect the whole ending of the movie. It's a great movie and floods memories back. I admire what Disney is doing and I look forward to seeing more like this.
