Release Date: Limited Theatrical Release November 29; Launching Globally on Netflix December 7, 2018
Distributor: Netflix and Warner Bros.
Cast: Rohan Chand, Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett, Benedict Cumberbatch, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Matthew Rhys, Naomie Harris, Tom Hollander, Peter Mullan, Jack Reynor, Eddie Marsan
Director: Andy Serkis
Screenplay: Callie Kloves (based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling)
Running time: 1 hr, 46 min
Rating: PG-13
Reviewer Rating: 3 stars
Although the novel, “The Jungle Book,” has been made and remade into a movie many times over, what Andy Serkis does in Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is both captivating and visually appealing. While I did enjoy the story, I felt something was lacking throughout the movie. I still can’t pinpoint what that missing ingredient is but I will say, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle does leave an impression.
Bagheera and Rohan Chand as “Mowgli” in the Netflix film “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
If you’ve never read the book or seen any of the films (Disney’s animated classic The Jungle Book) or many film incarnations, then you’ll enjoy this without having any context. But, there are parts of the film that move a little too quickly for my liking to propel the story forward and show Mowgli’s growth from infant to a young boy of seven or eight.
Bagheera and Baloo in the Netflix film “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
The live action between man and animal is enchanting. Newcomer Rohan Chand is brilliant as the “man-cub” Mowgli. His seamless interaction with all the animals of the jungle is outstanding. After his parents were attacked and killed in the jungle, Mowgli is found by Bagheera (voiced by Christian Bale), a black panther, and taken to a family of wolves. Having been raised in the jungle since infancy, Mowgli learns the “laws of the jungle” from his protectors Bagheera and Baloo (voiced by Andy Serkis), the bear. Wolf mother Nisha (voiced by Naomi Harris) raises Mowgli as her own despite their obvious differences. As Mowgli grows, unrest and tensions rise among the animals, especially when the fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voiced by Benedict Cumerbatch) returns to find Mowgli.
Shere Khan in the Netflix film “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
Aside from the eye-popping cinematography and visual effects, the voice and motion capture performances are on another level. The animal sounds embedded within the voice-overs are truly one of my favorite aspects of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Cumberbatch’s already deep, resonating voice becomes immensely more terrifying when Shere Kahn’s tiger growl is added.
Kaa in the Netflix film “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
Truth be told, I’m a sucker for a good accent and the fact that every character has a foreign accent doesn’t hurt. I immediately recognized Blanchett’s voice as Kaa the python as she narrates part of the story. What I find intriguing about Serkis’ re-imagining of Kipling’s work is Kaa and her unique ability to see the past and future of the jungle and its inhabitants. It’s unclear how old this ancient python is but she is feared by all, including Shere Khan.
Rohan Chand as “Mowgli” and Freida Pinto as “Messua” in the Netflix film “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
As for the human adventure Mowgli gets himself entangled in, I felt both Freida Pinto, Matthew Rhys’ talents were wasted on their minimal screen time. I felt this part of the story could have been embellished a bit more for both characters. In the original story, Mowgli is taken in by an Indian woman and her husband, but in this version, it is only Messua (Freida Pinto) is shown. And Rhys portrays a wild game hunter named John Lockwood whose idea of décor involves trophies and taxidermy. His tale seems so robust, captured through scant flashbacks, yet we only see this killer and not the man behind the rifle. I’m not saying I agree with Lockwood’s methods, but he has no idea that the animals are simply protecting their home, with the exception of Shere Khan, who only wants to cause mischief and mayhem.
Rohan Chand as “Mowgli” in the Netflix film “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”
Overall, I absolutely enjoyed this film. The action, the drama, and all the wonderful live-action filming with the animals are quite impressive. There are some dark moments sprinkled throughout the film, so I don’t recommend it for younger children who may be overly sensitive to and not fully understand [fictional] animal cruelty. There are some very intense moments, one that truly hurt my heart. I can still see Bhoot’s (Louis Ashbourne Serkis) beautiful albino wolf face in my mind. Overall, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle is entertaining to watch. I will definitely watch it again just to see all the animals and Mowgli interacting with one another. These relationships, all the trials and tribulations of Mowgli trying to fit in with both the animals and humans are what makes the film memorable. Chand is one gifted young actor and one to watch.
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Watch Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle in Limited Theatrical Release November 29; Launching Globally on Netflix December 7, 2018
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Judy Manning
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