Variety
Maintaining the buoyant heartbeat beneath all the digital flash, Favreau never loses sight of the fact that he’s making an adventure story for children.
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The Jungle Book 3D (2016)
Disney gives director Jon Favreau (Iron Man) the keys to Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale. His live-action/CGI hybrid adaptation follows young Mowgli (newcomer Neel Sethi) as he grows up in a jungle filled with friends – Bagheera the black panther (Ben Kingsley) and Baloo the bear (Bill Murray) – and ghastly foes – Kaa the python (Scarlett Johansson), King Louie the orangutan (Christopher Walken), and Shere Khan the tiger (Idris Elba).
As the adopted cub in a pack of wolves, the jungle is the only home Mowgli has known. But when the greatly-feared Shere Khan expresses his deadly desires to end the boy’s life, the pack is put in danger, prompting Mowgli to divert the threat away from his family and to search for a new home with human civilisation. Aided by the loyal Bagheera, Mowgli’s journey becomes wrought with danger and rich with friendships, revealing what he truly wants for his life and the jungle he calls home.
While the film stays truer to the tones of Kipling’s original story, Favreau also infuses his vision with shades of the original Disney animated movie.
Best Visual Effects, Academy Awards 2017; Best Special Effects, BAFTAs 2017
2016Rating: PG, Mild threat and violence, some scenes may scare young children106 minsUSA
AdventureDramaKids & Family3DBlockbuster
- Director:
- Jon Favreau ('Chef', 'Iron Man', 'Cowboys & Aliens', 'Elf')
- Writer:
- Justin Marks
- Cast:
- Neel SethiScarlett JohanssonBill MurrayIdris ElbaBen KingsleyGiancarlo EspositoChristopher Walken
The Jungle Book 3D (2016) / Reviews
Total Film
Disney's return to the jungle is lovingly executed, emotional and exciting, with eye-boggling effects and fully engaged voice-work. Bears and original Book-lovers can rest at ease.
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The Telegraph
A sincere and full-hearted adaptation that returns to Kipling for fresh inspiration...
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The New York Times
Studios are in the recycling business... lightly diverting, it is also disappointing, partly because it feels like a pumped-up version of Disney's 1967 animated film, with more action and less sweetness.
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The Guardian
A terrifically enjoyable piece of old-fashioned storytelling and a beautiful-looking film: spectacular, exciting, funny and fun.
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Sydney Morning Herald
The film itself is technically innovative while also being thoroughly, satisfyingly traditional.
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Stuff
Favreau has made great use of the cutting-edge CGI to create an immersive environment and three-dimensional characters.
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Los Angeles Times
The kind of family film calculated to make even those without families wish they had one to take along.
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Hollywood Reporter
The exceptional visual quality and lifelike animal renditions remain stunning throughout.
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Empire Magazine
Wonderful to look at, this is a more adult, more complex affair than its animated, and more entertaining, forebear. Still, it’s Disney’s best live-action adaptation yet.
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