The Jungle Book

The Jungle Book is a fantasy adventure film that was released in 2016 and in some places, is still in theaters. Inspired by Walt Disney's animated movie of the same name as well as the small stories written by Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book is as action-packed and beautiful as one could expect.

Plot

Mowgli is known as a "man cub" in the jungle walking side-by-side the wolf pack. Found as a baby by Bagheera, a black panther, Mowgli was brought back and given to Akela, the pack leader. With every intention to raise this child as one of their own, Akela vows to teach Mowgli the "way of the wolf" even though the boy continues to fall behind on excursions with the pups.

During the dry season where water is scarce, the animals within the jungle come together as a pact allows them all to drink from the last water source in peace. But the calm moment is disrupted when Shere Khan—a Bengal tiger with a pure hatred for man—threatens to kill Mowgli when the dry season ends, and all that know of this rage-filled creature knows that he'll keep to his word.

With the wolf pack arguing on if they should keep Mowgli despite Shere Khan's need for bloodshed, Mowgli decides to leave on his own with the help of Bagheera. But when Shere Khan catches word of the man cub fleeing, he vows to kill him before they can reach the village.

Overall

I remember watching the cartoon movie when I was a kid a thousand times, but when it comes down to anything that turns itself into a live action with a lot of CGI, everything is then to be questionable. I was really critical of how this movie chose specific voice actors as well as the young boy who played Mowgli. He seemed relatively out of place among strong voice actors like Ben Kingsley who played Bagheera or Idris Elba as Shere Khan.

There was nothing more disappointing then seeing some of my favorite scenes constricted by the makeup of this plot or out of place dialogue. Needless to say, the CGI was absolutely beautiful (as it was expected to be). And perhaps it's the fact that I have a huge crush on Idris Elba because wow, I was so attracted to Shere Khan's voice and I think that made The Jungle Book experience a bit more bearable for me.

The relationships Mowgli had with his wolf pack really warmed my heart. To see such social animals interacting with their man cub as if he was one of their own really added a familial touch. There were vast characters all across the board, some much more overwhelming than others.

And I was also kind of irritated by the fact that no one truly helped Mowgli though there were many instances they could. Whenever Shere Khan made his attack, it seemed every animal was out to save their own skin though the whole wolf pack and Bagheera could fend him off as long as possible. Then again, the villainous tiger was meant to place fear into the hearts of all his opponents.

I wouldn't recommend anyone to watch this in theaters which is what I did. It's something more on the side of watching in the comfort of your bedroom while you're browsing social media with one eye and ear open.