Invaderbank The film creates a perfect balance between action and depth of basic needs, in the midst of an infertile atmosphere.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Siflutter It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Dana An old-fashioned movie made with new-fashioned finesse.

theresamgill I think I saw the original back in 1st grade and didn't care about it at all except for "The Bare Necessities." So flash forward to present day when we have already had Alice in Wonderland, Cinderella, and even Snow White redone. I had zero excitement about the update of The Jungle Book.Then I started to become curious. I read articles about how newcomer Neel Sethi did pretend basketball for his audition tape because of how much green screen and nothingness he would be working with. And I will start with Mowgli because he is fantastic. Think of Life of Pi as a reference point. But then think of a kid's imagination and why people might have fallen in love with the original in the first place. This kid brings the movie to life, and there wasn't a moment I wasn't impressed by him.Now for the jungle. It is beautiful. I have no idea how they were able to accomplish it, but it's so stunning. In an extended compliment, I tip my hat to Iron Man and Elf director Jon Favreau. Whether it's the placement of the animals or the way the camera moves with the jungle, the man knew exactly what he was looking for and he got it.Mowgli isn't quite on his own; you have an all-star cast lending their voices with Bill Murray, Idris Elba, and Christopher Walken being the highlights. Not only do they add with their voices, but the animals they represent are such a feat to behold. I loved how the camera would trail Mowgli talking to Bagheera the panther and the way the shoulder blades moved in stride with the walk. The look is there, the behavior is there, and the characters are there.The next thing is both a compliment and also one of the complaints I hold. The story arc follows Mowgli as he has all these different encounters with the creatures of the jungle-- whether for better or for worse. For the most part, the encounters are brief, for this movie had to be under 2 hours while still having scenes with all these different animals. And while segments with Kaa (Scarlet Johansson) or King Louie are welcomed, the main character isn't given much time to spend with Bagheera or Baloo; this is a problem becomes we're supposed to feel this bond grown that even though Mowgli is a man cub, he will instead choose the life with the animals he loves. And his interactions with Bagheera and Baloo are fantastic, but they don't provide the depth and framework that animated and kids movies often fall prey to. Furthermore, the two songs played are a great relief of pace, but they can't help that some scenes I described as brief still feel stretched. The pacing isn't quite there, and the development of the story suffers for it.There are moments that will probably scare some children, especially when the red flower is introduced, but the animals presented and the diverse characters they represent are fresh and needed. And there's no doubt that Bill Murray fits the bill as Baloo the bear. Top it off with the beautiful jungle and some borrowed elements of The Lion King, and well, you have one of the most exciting Disney films of recent years. You will enjoy it in the theaters, but perhaps not as much as you would hope to. You can find this review and dozens of others at gillipediamoviereviews.blogspot.com

aleabodo This is what a good remake should look like. Not just that it has a new look with astonishing realistic CG but it also has an adapted storyline that varies from the original one but still very interesting.Really funny, music always at the right moment and fights very good composed.Definitely on my Top 7 of favorite movies

Forn55 Appallingly bad. This mish-mash of new-age sentiments and zingy, slangy one-liners wrapped up in special visual effects has about as much to do with Kipling's wonderful adventure book as the Kardashians have to do with Oxford University. It's directed in a campy, wanna-be-cool style that can best be described as neo-faux Hollywooden car-chase. It uses animals instead of crash cars, but it boils down to much the same thing.Why (oh, why?) do film makers take wonderful books and trash them? Why do they take a genuinely moving tale and turn it into cotton candy? This movie is the cinematic equivalent of junk food.

The Movie Diorama Immediately I want to start by saying I was never a fan of Kipling's book or the animated adaptation. It's just a story I never grew up with and it never resonated with me. Having said that, I believe Favreau actually crafted a blockbuster that shares qualities from both ends of the spectrum. You all know the story, Mowgli being raised by a pack of wolves is hunted by the fiercest tiger of the jungle. He flees with the help of a panther and a bear and soon discovers his true identity and where he belongs in the world. A charming adventure that feels like a cutesy Disney feature but beneath the visually impressive surface lies a darker and more mature film. Containing various metaphors such as politics and laws, humanity's impact on the natural world and the lust for power and control. It's a difficult balance to get right. Some will want more of a musical quality so that they can gleefully sing to the songs that these animals randomly burst into. I'm personally not a fan of this, so I'm glad this was kept to a minimum although "I Wanna Be Like You" is horrendously performed by Christopher Walken. On the other side of the spectrum, literary aficionados and connoisseurs who crave deep and meaningful symbolism will want a narrative fuelled by dark metaphors. I would happily have had a super depressing adaptation, but we don't live in a world where we are graced with such gifts, however there are some complexities included for the more mature audiences. Visually, it's absolutely stunning. The blue screen, wildlife CGI and Neel Sethi (who really did hold this film together) accompanied each other beautifully. Couldn't fault it. Voice acting was spot on, particularly Bill Murray as Baloo who's natural wit suited the role. Well paced and directed, although Favreau got a tad bit excited in the finale where the camera became too frantic intertwined with quick cuts and dim lighting. Too safe? Perhaps. In the end, it's perfectly good family entertainment.