Just As Long As There's No Singing... "The Jungle Book"

The Jungle Book (2016)

Rated PG-13

Starring Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Idris Elba, Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johannson, Christopher Walken,

Directed by Jon Favreau

The Story:

Mowgli (Sethi) is a man cub growing up in the jungle, raised by a pack of wolves. However, Shere Khan (Elba) is ready to exact vengeance, so they decide it's time to return Mowgli to the man village. Bagheera (Kingsley) leads him through the jungle, hoping to keep him safe until they reach their destination. But the jungle is full of interesting creatures, and Mowgli is an inquisitive little boy...

So Disney returns with their lastest live action update of their animated classics.

For those keeping score at home, we were deadlocked at 1-1.

Maleficent was an interesting take on Sleeping Beauty and added something new to the legend.

Cinderella was a straightforward bore, partially due to the fact that it is one story that has been told in many different forms over the years, and has been done better.

So it's up to the Jungle Book to break the tie.

Would I love it, or would I be indifferent.

Well, for starters, like Life of Pi, this movie is absolutely gorgeous. Whether it's all green screen, or they actually went on location to the most lush jungle imaginable, there isn't a jarring CGI blip in the action, so it's totally believeable.

The talking animals, well, you either love or hate that aspect of films. They did a good job and the animals all look pretty realistic, and the voice cast does a wonderful job with their roles.

And let's face it, that animated film had some of Disney animations' finest voices on that film.

Sethis' Mowgli is in 95% of the movie, and he does a great job as the little man cub who has to grow up and learn the ways of the jungle, all the while allowing a little bit of his humanity to seep into the character.

And I loved the ending did not send Mowgli back to the man village.

Yay!

So did I like it? Yes I did.

Did I love it...

Well, I probably would have...

But...

Then they let the animals sing.

:: sigh ::

No offense, but I thought they would let Murray whistle "The Bear Necessities", or even just use part of it as dialogue.

But then they sang, and I felt myself cringing. It's just out of place and wrong that late in the movie to suddenly become a musical.

But okay, I guess I can forgive this one moment...

Wait, what?

King Louis (Walken) is getting angry and starts talking, and then breaks into song...

No.

NO, this is too much.

I could feel the review crumbling as I watched, there was no coming back from this.

So yes, I hammer this film for the singing, and it falls from Best of the Year contention, to just another movie that I watched.

Final Grade:  B-

Rob From The Rich... "Robin Hood"

Robin Hood (1973)

Rated G

Starring Brian Bedford, Monica Evans, Phil Harris, Andy Devine, Pat Buttram,  Peter Ustinov, Terry Thomas, Roger Miller

Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman

The Story:

The animal kingdom decides to tell the story of Robin Hood (Bedford) to let us know what really happened.

Awesomeness ensues.

The first Disney film I ever remember seeing.

It's been my favorite Disney film ever since.

Nostalgia is a powerful thing.

Having seen nearly every other version of Robin Hood, I will say that this is the best version of the tale as well.

Take that Errol Flynn.

And honestly, if you've tried to read the book, you know how utterly boring it really was.

Disney instead injects some great character designs and wonderful voice actors to make this tale magical.

The fact that Robin and Marian (Evans) are really overshadowed by every other character, tells you how deep the talent on display really is.

You could dock points to Disney, and Phil Harris for basically playing the same character from The Jungle Book  as Little John and Baloo share some striking similarities, not the least of which is the voice.

But that's a minor quibble.

Instead marvel at Prince John (Ustinov) and Sir Hiss (Taylor) as possibly the best bad guys to ever grace the screen.

Hilariously evil, they never fail to make me laugh in the movie.

The songs, most of which are handled by Alan-A-Dale (Miller) are catchy, and I can whistle the tunes to this day by memory.

My little one had no interest in this movie when we found it on Netflix.

Now she can't get enough of it.

Welcome to the club.

Currently available to stream on Netflix as of this writing.

Final Grade: A+

Rewatchability/Purchase Factor:  Probably still my all-time favorite Disney film.  Might have to upgrade it to Blu Ray someday.