The Jungle Book, released last year, is my first foray into Disney's live-action reboots of their classic cartoons. Combining elements of the cartoon and Rudyard Kipling story, it follows the story of Mowgli, the man-cub raised by wolves after his father is killed by the tiger Shere Khan. When Khan comes looking for the boy years later, Mowgli sets out to find a man's village. On the journey, he'll meet a snake (Kaa), panther (Bagheera), bear (Baloo), ape (King Louis), and other creatures who will help or hinder him. Ultimately, Mowgli must decide: where is his true home?
This film was universally lauded . . . and I didn't care for it. Ultimately, I didn't understand what the film was trying to be. It's a bit scary (several scenes were more intense than its PG rating), a bit funny (but not much), a bit lighthearted, and bit musical (but not nearly like its cartoon predecessor). In trying to be everything, it falls flat. The visuals are certainly stunning . . . but I was disappointed.
Rating: B-
You mean, you didn't like Christopher Walken's rendition of "I want to be like you"? I thought it was fair but he's a hoofer, not a singer.
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