THE JUNGLE BOOK : Tuesday 10th May 2016.

I finally got around to seeing the highly acclaimed 'THE JUNGLE BOOK' this week - four weeks or so after its Australian release date, and this film does not disappoint. Released by Disney Studio's and based on the much loved original classic animated Disney feature film from 1967, and the noted works of Rudyard Kipling of the same name, this film remains true to the earlier film and the pages of Kipling's book, but is updated with all the latest modern technology that movie making can throw at it. Disney released a live action adaptation of the book and the film back in 1994 with Jason Scott Lee as an older Mowgli which received critical acclaim and a Box Office of US$43M from its US$30M production budget. Then there was an animated feature sequel to the 1967 film released in 2003 under the banner of 'The Jungle Book 2' with Hayley Joel Osment voicing Mowgli - this film was criticised for the sub-standard plot and the quality of animation, although it made US$136M off its US$20M budget.

As so to this 2016 release this time Directed by Jon Favreau for Walt Disney Pictures at a cost of US$175M which has so far returned US$786M and is still out widely on general release. Shot entirely in a sound stage in downtown Los Angeles, although you wouldn't know it, the film relies completely on CGI and motion-capture technology to portray the animals and the jungle setting, and it does so with a photo-realism that continues to push the boundaries of anything we have seen before. The quality of film making is quite extraordinary, and the visual impact of what has been created on screen is stunning in every detail.

As for the performances, Mowgli (Neel Sethi) was plucked from absolutely nowhere following an extensive search of literally thousands of hopefuls from across the US, UK, NZ, and Canada, and aside from a brief glimpse of his father (Ritesh Rajan) to tell Mowgli's back story, there are no other human characters in the film. As for the animals, the voice talents of an ensemble cast play out here with convincing realism.

First up there is Bagheera, the Black Panther (Ben Kingsley) who finds an infant Mowgli in the jungle, and takes him to a wolf pack headed up by Akela (Giancarlo Esposito) where he is raised as a man-cub by Indian wolf Raksha (Lupita Nyong'o) amongst the pack learning the ways of the wolves. Then there is the antagonist of the jungle, who resents man, and is intent on seeing Mowgli off before he can do him and the other animals further harm - Shere Khan, the Bengal Tiger (Idris Elba). This essentially sets the tone of the film, as Mowgli makes the decision to leave the wolf-pack that he has grown up with to search for the man-village where he can grow as an adult away from the danger of Shere Khan.

Bagheera agrees to accompany Mowgli through the thick and dangerous jungle to the man-village, to help protect his young charge from the stalking tiger. Along the way however, there is trouble in the jungle in the form off others who would prey on the man-cub including a huge Indian python Kaa (Scarlett Johansson) who hypnotises the young boy with the intention of eating him. Fortunately, Mowgli is rescued just in time by a passing sloth bear Baloo (Bill Murray) and the two form an unlikely friendship.

When Bagheera reunites with Mowgli and Baloo, they agree that the journey must continue for Mowgli's best interests, to which Baloo reluctantly agrees but under some duress. As they prepare to leave to continue their trek to the man-village Mowgli is captured by a group of monkeys who present him to their leader in a ruined temple atop a mountain, which the monkeys can scale easily, but no so for Bagheera and Baloo in hot pursuit. King Louie (Christopher Walken) is a Bornean orangutang-like Gigantopithecus, who wants Mowgli to bring him the 'red-flower' (fire) so that he can be just like man and wield that power over others. Narrowly escaping, it is here that Mowgli learns that Shere Khan has killed Akela and now watches over the wolf-pack waiting for Mowgli to return to exact his revenge. Then Shere Khan, will dispense with the man-cub and safety and security will be restored to the jungle.

When Mowgli returns to his wolf-pack he carries the red-flower to help guide his way at night through the terrain of the jungle, but in doing so glowing embers spark a forest fire which threatens to engulf the animal kingdom. Shere Khan waits knowing that the time will come, and upon his arrival the fight breaks out resulting in Mowgli running towards the fire while Bagheera, Baloo, Raksha and the wolf-pack try to fend off the powerful tiger.

As Shere Khan fends off his attackers, he follows Mowgli into the burning forest, but Mowgli is smart and knows some human tricks of his own to thwart the determined and advancing tiger. Needless to say only one will be victorious and one will perish in the flames of the red flower now raging. I am sure you know the story by now and how it all ends, and how the animal kingdom is restored to peace and well being for all - including the man-cub.

Also starring the voice talents of Garry Shandling, Sam Raimi and Jon Favreau with a number of reworked musical numbers that you'll instantly recognise from your own childhood memories, this is a film for kids of all ages that surprises and delights every step of the way. It is faithful to the story we all know & love, but brings it right up to date with thrilling action, a few jump scares, groundbreaking technical effects, a real sense of wonder and a heartwarming story that stands the test of time. A must see, on the big screen, catch it while you still can and you won't be disappointed. A sequel has already been announced for release sometime between 2017 and 2019 with Favreau said to return to Directing duty, with Neel Sethi reprising his role as man-cub, Mowgli.

-Steve, at Odeon Online-