The Jungle Book is the live-action interpretation of Disney’s previous 1967 animated film of the same name. It is the fourth film on the list of Disney classics to be transformed from animation to live-action. Both this film and its predecessor are based on Rudyard Kipling’s collected works.
The thing I enjoyed about this new version is that there is more of story element woven into the film. The original is a timeless classic, and I’m pretty sure most 20 to 30 year olds remember seeing the animated version. Disney’s classics, however, have always been sort of a cartoon for children to enjoy, but this live-action version puts more of a realistic spin on the events that happen throughout the film, like why Shere Khan, the villainous tiger, is after Mowgli.
The film centers on Mowgli not only trying to fit in with the wolf pack but with the jungle as a whole. Bagheera, the watchful panther, is training Mowgli to learn the ways of the wolf. However, Mowgli resorts to using tools to help him with challenges he faces because he is not physically a wolf. Using “tricks,” as Bagheera put it, is frowned upon, and he constantly scolds Mowgli.
When there is a drought, a water truce is instated throughout the jungle, so that all the animals can drink water without fear of being preyed upon. Shere Khan shows up and catches Mowgli’s scent and threatens to come back for Mowgli when the rains return and the truce ends. Fearing for the lives of his pack, Mowgli chooses to leave and go live in the human village. What follows is a whirlwind adventure that takes Mowgli through the jungle and shows him who he must become.
It is on this adventure that he faces the hypnotizing python, Kaa; the relaxed yet cool bear, Baloo; and the powerful and majestic orangutan, King Louie. This new imagining of the beloved classic is a thrilling, suspenseful, and enjoyable show for both children and those who are still children at heart. Some scenes may be a little frightening for the small children.
Macaroni Kid Greater North West Houston is a free weekly newsletter and website focused on fun family events and information in Copperfield, Cy-Fair, Jersey Village, Memorial, and Houston, TX. We gather together all kinds of local family events and activities each week, and add useful information about classes, family-focused businesses, book and product reviews, recipes, crafts, school and camp guides and more. We proudly serve families in the Greater North West Houston area! Macaroni Kid Greater North West Houston is full of useful local information like this PLUS tons of kid-friendly events on our event calendar. Have an event you'd like submitted to our calendar for consideration? Submit an event here. Like what you see here and want to get all the fun delivered to your inbox weekly? Subscribe to our FREE weekly e-newsletter for 411 on local family fun!
