By Renee’ Collins
Rating: 5 (Out of 5 Reels)
The man-cub Mowgli (Neel Sethi) flees the jungle after a threat from the tiger Shere Khan (Idris Elba). Guided by Bagheera (Ben Kingsley) the panther and the bear Baloo (Bill Murray), Mowgli embarks on a journey of self-discovery, though he also meets creatures who don’t have his best interests at heart (IMDB).
The original version of this film was released in 1967 and most can probably still sing the songs including myself after seeing it upon re-release. The overwhelmingly striking difference here is fifty years of growth in the computer animation industry. It is becoming nearly impossible to discern from a real life person from an animated one or animal on-screen. Total immersion is what is experienced while watching this film because everything is completely and utterly realistic. From individual hairs in the animals fur to the leaves in the trees that surround them.
Young Neel Sethi’s portrayal of Mowgli is in a word perfect. There are also a slew of well-known actors that include Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Scarlett Johansson and Christopher Walken who expertly portray their respective animal characters. Jon Favreau’s directorial excellence will definitely add to the success of this film because every attention to detail is addressed which makes this film visually stunning. This film will be yet another blockbuster film for Disney.