Movieman Madness: Cinema Spotlight VI - Jon Favreau (Part 9): "The Jungle Book"

This isn't the first time Disney's tried to do a live-action re-interpretation of Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book. Back in 1994 Stephen Sommers did his take on the classic story of Mowgli in Disney's first live-action remake by making Mowgli a grown-man and the animals never talking. As a kid, it was a traumatic experience, re-watching years later its a film that would have fared better with a PG-13 rating instead of being advertised as fun for the whole family. If anything, it prepared Sommers to apply his action/adventure skills with The Mummy movies. As for Disney's animated version from 1967, its cute with a catchy soundtrack (who doesn't know The Bare Necessities), and plenty of memorable characters from Baloo, Bagherea, Kaa and Shere Khan.

Disney's first live-action retelling.

101 Dalmatians was the only other film in the nineties to get the live-action treatment and a sequel in 2000. Since then, Disney ceased with the remakes until Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland in 2009. Thanks to its billion dollar outcome, the live-action train was back in full steam. Maleficent confirmed my worst fears of these remakes, only to proven wrong with Cinderella. Could The Jungle Book continue the streak or were right to think these remakes are pointless?

Bagheera and Mowgli strolling through the jungle.

With the arrival of Shere Khan (Idris Elba) a ferocious tiger who hates man, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) is no longer safe with his wolf-pack family. It is decided for him to return to his own kind at the man village with Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) as his escort and protector. Along the way Mowgli come across many animals from the hypnotic python Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), the carefree bear Baloo (Billy Murray) who he strikes a quick friendship, the monkey king Louie (Christopher Walken), and the eventual confrontation with Shere Khan.

Shere Khan threatening the wolf pack to hand over Mowgli.

Jon Favreau continues what Kenneth Branagh achieved with Cinderella on improving over the original. Combing elements from the original source material and the Disney version and making it its own story. We have the law of the jungle, fire being called the red flower, and the peace rock straight out of Kipling's book and while the movie declines on being a musical we still get to hear "The Bare Necessities" and "I Wanna be Like You," and "Trust in Me" (the latter during the end credits).

Mowgli saying good-bye to his wolf mother Rashka.

Of the improvements the remake succeeds in is making Mowgli a more likable and intelligent character. I always found Mowgli in the animated version an annoying brat who carelessly runs away from his protectors and straight into trouble. Mowgli in the remake make's mistakes and in need of a bit of saving like his counterpart but shows more courage and humility especially in the climax, another area that the remake improves over the original. Bagheera fights Shere Khan not once but twice, where in the original, the two never share any screen-time; even Baloo lends a paw and claw on a couple occasions.

Mowgli and Bagheera coming across the elephants.

The biggest change are the elephants. No longer comedic side characters but are instead revered and respected as lords of the jungle on a god-like status and never utter any dialogue. A bold decision that still finds time to include the baby elephant from the original.

Mowgli and Baloo enjoying the bare necessities.

Leave it to Favreau on once again assembling a great cast. Ben Kingsley is the perfect fit as Bagheera matching the noble tones of Sebastian Cabot. Idris Elba's vocal work as Shere Khan is equally intimidating as George Sanders and Tony Jay who voiced the character. Christopher Walken's mob boss voice adds more authority to King Louie along with size, another change added to the remake that works since he was obstacle for Mowgli and the gang in the original. Lupita Nyong'o & Giancarlo Esposito voice Mowgli's wolf parents Rashka and Akeela and play a bigger role in the story compared to their limited appearance in the animated version. Bill Murray as Baloo, do I need to go further on how awesome that is?

Mowgli falling under Kaa's stare.

The only downside is Kaa. It has nothing to do with Scarlet Johansson who does more than a perfect job as the voice, but the character appears very little in the film. If there was one thing the animated version got right was more screen time for Kaa, from his defeated reactions and interactions with Shere Khan.

Shere Khan vowing to kill Mowgli.

If you thought the film was shot at a jungle, you would be wrong. The entire movie was filmed in blue-screen room in Los Angeles. For his first movie, young actor Neel Sethi carries the movie convincingly especially when you realize he is acting opposite of thin air and prop sets. A true visual accomplishment that feels so real and not phony, right up there with Avatar and Gravity.

Louie offering a deal to Mowgli.

The Jungle Book premiered on April 15, 2016. It became the fifth highest grossing movie of the year and at the time Favreau's highest grossing film as a director. It received positive reviews from critics and currently the best rated live-action Disney remake. It won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects and a Saturn (Nerdy Oscars) for Best Fantasy Film.

Favreau was on roll with two great films back-to-back. With Disney impressed on how The Jungle Book turned out, they assigned him his next movie hoping for better results. This time set in the kingdom of the Pride lands.....