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 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 770 Ratings

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7.4

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7.4	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 770 Ratings

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The Jungle Book

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Movie Details & Credits

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

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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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

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

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

Peter Travers

Apr 14, 2016

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

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

James Berardinelli

Apr 16, 2016

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

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

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

16 of 26 users found this helpful1610

Sakata

Oct 6, 2018

If "The Jungle Book" is not a masterpiece, it's at least something close to that. With sweeping visual effects and a very believable adaptation of the 1967 film version, the film delivers a splendid and fantastic result, from young Neel Sathi's acting to Ben Kingsley's impeccable voiceIf "The Jungle Book" is not a masterpiece, it's at least something close to that. With sweeping visual effects and a very believable adaptation of the 1967 film version, the film delivers a splendid and fantastic result, from young Neel Sathi's acting to Ben Kingsley's impeccable voice acting, Christopher Walken, Scarlett Johansson (whose character might have appeared more), Giancarlo Esposito (oddly unreleased in the trailers as other members of the cast), Idris Elba (in the voice of one of the best villains of the 2016 films), Bill Murray (a great Baloo), among others. The only thing to regret is the fact that the film is still far from the original work of Rudyard Kipling. But at least the film alone is great and worthy of the success it has made.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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

NickHads

Jan 25, 2020

This adaptation of a Disney Classic is well worth a watch for the whole family. The young "man-cub" Mowgli embarks on a fantastical journey brimming with beautiful environments and realistic animals with unique personalities. An All-star cast reprise the roles made famous in the originalThis adaptation of a Disney Classic is well worth a watch for the whole family. The young "man-cub" Mowgli embarks on a fantastical journey brimming with beautiful environments and realistic animals with unique personalities. An All-star cast reprise the roles made famous in the original animated motion picture. An endearing story of bravery amidst a world full of danger at every turn. Segregation and isolation leads young Mowgli on path of discovery after being forced to fend for himself. Fantastic visuals and an unbridled charm make The Jungle Book a joyful experience to be had.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

marc5477

Sep 20, 2016

After watching three terrible movies (X-Men Apocalypse, Independence Day Resurgence, Where to Invade Next) , I was relieved that the Jungle Book was decent. I actually liked it more than the original which I only enjoyed for the music. Almost all the characters are portrayed better in thisAfter watching three terrible movies (X-Men Apocalypse, Independence Day Resurgence, Where to Invade Next) , I was relieved that the Jungle Book was decent. I actually liked it more than the original which I only enjoyed for the music. Almost all the characters are portrayed better in this live action movie than in the cartoon including Mowgli, Baloo, Loui and Khan. Baghera was basically the same which is fine, and really the only disappointment was Kaa who is now some sort of magical female enchantress type character rather than being comically weak and clumsy. I prefer the original Kaa character over the new one but its a minor issue. This movie improved on the story by making it more cohesive (by adding more backstory) and I thought that it worked. I thought the final confrontation was complete asinine and I really missed the acapella style vultures from the original. I would love to have heard more music in this movie as well since that is what made the original memorable and because the story is overly simple. There was some music in the movie but it was more of an afterthought. I would have rather the music be more prominent like a traditional musical. Still a good movie and fun for the entire family.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

JonZsu

Jun 19, 2016

A boy in the jungle grows up to be a hero, who embraces the nature and also, his own nature. The Jungle Book told us this amazing story with over-the-top visual effects on every single detail, it is both fearless and astonishing. However, the music numbers are a tiny bit too abrupt.

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 11 users found this helpful47

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