The Jungle Book

Name: The Jungle Book
Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Family, Musical
Released: April 15, 2016
Duration: 106 min
Rating: 77
Cast: Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Giancarlo Esposito, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o

2016

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Critics

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 717 Ratings

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7.5

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7.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 717 Ratings

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The Jungle Book

Movie Details & Credits

Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures | Release Date: April 15, 2016

Starring: Ben Kingsley, Bill Murray, Giancarlo Esposito, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Neel Sethi, Scarlett Johansson

Summary: Mowgli (Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves, finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey ofMowgli (Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves, finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voiced by Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice by Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice by Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice by Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.… Expand

Director: Jon Favreau

Genre(s): Adventure, Drama, Fantasy, Family, Musical

Rating: PG

Runtime: 106 min

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Awards & Rankings

88	#88 Best Movie of 2016
23	#23 Most Discussed Movie of 2016
17	#17 Most Shared Movie of 2016

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Wall Street Journal - Joe Morgenstern

Apr 14, 2016

The new production, computer-animated except for a living, breathing boy at the center of the action, isn’t pretty or sweet but utterly stunning, as well as very funny; all those vaudeville antecedents haven’t been forgotten. Read full review

Los Angeles Times - Kenneth Turan

Apr 14, 2016

By turns sweetly amusing and surprisingly unnerving, crammed with story, song and computer-generated visual splendors, it's such a model of modern crowd-pleasing entertainment that it brings to mind a celebrated quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald about filmmakers who were "able to keep the whole equation of pictures in their heads." Read full review

Rolling Stone - Peter Travers

Apr 14, 2016

A visual marvel that cuts a direct path to the heart. Read full review

CineVue - Joe Walsh

Apr 7, 2016

While there is the odd bum note, The Jungle Book is an immersive, visually breathtaking family adventure and a welcome addition to their new spate of live-action reimaginings. Read full review

ReelViews - James Berardinelli

Apr 16, 2016

Well-made and deserves recognition as one of the year’s best family offerings (thus far). Read full review

The Hollywood Reporter - Todd McCarthy

Apr 3, 2016

Even as the drama and its treatment become increasingly conventional and familiar as the film moves toward its patly (and arguably overly) audience-pleasing wrap-up, the exceptional visual quality and lifelike animal renditions remain stunning throughout. Read full review

Slant Magazine - Sam C. Mac

Apr 13, 2016

Jon Favreau draws heavily on his film's animated predecessor for plot, characterizations, and more, but doesn't know how to fit these familiar elements into his own coherent vision. Read full review

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User Reviews

johnmich_123

Apr 15, 2016

From a Theatre artist’s perspective, music speaks for things at sort here...

The Jungle Book is a roaring success! With its CGI, actions and emotions all intact, there is nothing more I could ask from it. While others whine about how absurd the injection of the two short musical piecesFrom a Theatre artist’s perspective, music speaks for things at sort here...

The Jungle Book is a roaring success! With its CGI, actions and emotions all intact, there is nothing more I could ask from it. While others whine about how absurd the injection of the two short musical pieces “Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You” turned out in the film, I’d rather those were the evoking and gentle areas in the story; likely serving as asides for the emotionally-larger than life characters, Baloo and King Louie. In fact, I could even hum a tone for Shere Khan, the chilling and villainous Bengal Tiger who would do everything to eradicate Mowgli from the jungle.

Technically, music speaks for things at sort here- hatred, fear, love, frustrations, etc. We can’t entirely get away from it. And music, as a good old piece from musicals and other theatrical conventions, gets a fresh touch in this non-musical live-action adventure. Nonetheless, even with the wolf pack’s stoic pronunciation of the “Laws of the Jungle”, familiar notes are already rung in the audience’s hearts. But, had it been that they decided to turn this into a full musical, the film would definitely flop!

A well-presented story…
Eventually, for the first time since Avatar and Life of Pi, I enjoyed a seamlessly presented story. A story that stands on its own- the Jungle Book will always be remembered as it is. It may not be an utter classic, but it is enough a masterpiece to behold.
Ultimately, the Jungle Book goes beyond the Disney branding as a distinct collaboration of talents, Jon Favreau (Director), Justin Marks (for the characters’ well-paced dialogue), Ben Kingsley (voice of Bagheera), Bill Murray (voice of Baloo), Lupita Nyong’o (voice of Rakhsa), Scarlett Johansson (voice of Kaa), Idris Elba (voice of Shere Khan), Giancarlo Esposito (voice of Akela), debuting actor Neel Sethi (as Mowgli) and most of all, Rudyard Kipling for penning the classic story of the same title.

A wholesome package!
The Jungle Book has everything in it. It could be a political satire when it wants to, or a dark and grim propaganda. It may relieve the intense atmosphere off with a wry humor or tearful goodbye, a little bit of music and jovial monkey dancing as “verfremdungseffekt” and even perhaps a wild chorus of primitive growls that speak of more serious human agenda at hand.

Magnanimously, the Jungle Book reawakens the Lion King in its head-docking stampedes, resurrects the Passion of the Christ in Mowgli’s bearing of the weight for the greater good and stupendously animates Alice Walker’s Flowers in Mowgli’s rite of passage, symbolized by the Red Flower (Torch of Fire) he carries facing Shere Khan.

As mentioned earlier this film will roar at all ages since it is more than just a children’s action, adventure and entertainment tale. It will snarl at you, shaking and swinging you from the gut.
(One last note though: Don’t bother watching this if not in IMAX 3D. Otherwise, you might only end up cheating yourself of the spectacle.)… Expand

15 of 25 users found this helpful1510

FreedomFighters

Jan 9, 2017

Disney's live-action adaptation of "The Jungle Book" is so far ahead of their other live-action adaptations that you kind of can't even compare them here: "The Jungle Book" is a tremendous film that's faithful to the source material, wonderfully acted, well-written and well-directed, whileDisney's live-action adaptation of "The Jungle Book" is so far ahead of their other live-action adaptations that you kind of can't even compare them here: "The Jungle Book" is a tremendous film that's faithful to the source material, wonderfully acted, well-written and well-directed, while also featuring some painstaking visual excellence that might even be some of the best of 2016. Make it a point to catch "The Jungle Book," because it's truly a wonder to behold.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

thedaywalker

Jan 5, 2017

One of the best special effects and graphics i've ever seen, it's beautiful, and easily one of the best movies of the year, they told the story they had to, didn't try and add nothing that might ruin it and put on the 2 best songs of the animated version

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

JamesIrish68

Dec 28, 2018

The CGI is nothing short of outstanding. The very young Mowgli accounted for himself admirably after a slightly shaky start. Did amazingly well considering he was acting with a blue screen background the entire movie. The animals are all voiced by A Listers to good effect.
Only two songs inThe CGI is nothing short of outstanding. The very young Mowgli accounted for himself admirably after a slightly shaky start. Did amazingly well considering he was acting with a blue screen background the entire movie. The animals are all voiced by A Listers to good effect.
Only two songs in the movie but two good ones. They worked nicely.
It's a Disney tale of course so predictable and simple enough that even the youngest in the family can follow. Nuanced enough to criticise mankind and the devastation we have caused and are causing to the natural world. Very enjoyable… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

TVJerry

Apr 21, 2016

Even though this looks like a live action film, it's completely animated, with the exception of the real boy who plays Mowgli (Neel Sethi). He's been raised by a pack of wolves, but must leave his home when they're threatened by the evil tiger Shere Khan. On his journey, he meets some newEven though this looks like a live action film, it's completely animated, with the exception of the real boy who plays Mowgli (Neel Sethi). He's been raised by a pack of wolves, but must leave his home when they're threatened by the evil tiger Shere Khan. On his journey, he meets some new animals (most enjoyably Bill Murray as Baloo) and has some perilous adventures. They've even tossed in 3 songs from the original film (plus a fun 2nd version of "Bare Necessities" by Dr. John during the credits). As the final frame of the credits states, "This film was shot in downtown Los Angeles," but the lovely landscapes and slew of creatures is eye-catching and beautifully designed. The action is well-staged and the story comes together with lively energy. Still, it lacks that extra punch that would have made it wondrous and emotionally satisfying (and Sethi's performance could have been a bit more charming).… Expand

5 of 7 users found this helpful52

SEROJ

Aug 13, 2016

Probably one of the best CGI i've ever seen! The visuals are stunning! The story is a classic and the acting (obviously by the only actor) is acceptable but not so great! Overall i highly recommend this movie for all ages! I adored the russian classic from 1967 "Mowgli" and this movie wasProbably one of the best CGI i've ever seen! The visuals are stunning! The story is a classic and the acting (obviously by the only actor) is acceptable but not so great! Overall i highly recommend this movie for all ages! I adored the russian classic from 1967 "Mowgli" and this movie was for me - very special, even though i believe it could've been better! This is probably the highest 7/10 i ever gave :)… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Joshua023

May 18, 2016

They must of had a low budget it just sucked. Music was the hole thing. this was stupid. I'll just have my kid watch the first one. How could you leave out the great monkey song Im lost. sucks...

4 of 10 users found this helpful46

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