Customer Reviews

The Jungle Book 2

5 star:		(28)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(12)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

Some of the reviews here appear abit premature (the last couple I read were from people who hadn't even seen the movie--they judged it from the trailer!). In many respects Jungle Book 2 could, on the surface, look like a cash-in similar to the Peter Pan sequel Return to Neverland (that film had been planned as a direct-to-video release originally but turned out looking so good that it was released theatrically). That's hardly the case with Jungle Book 2.

The animation uses many of the design elements from the original film and incorporates some nice computer generated imagery as well. It's a bit surprising that folks expect the voices of the original actors. The original Jungle Book was released in 1967 (if memory serves) and all the original actors have been dead for quite some time.

The voice casting for the sequel is quite good. Haley Joel Osmond (A.I., The Sixth Sense)makes a fine Mowogli and John Goodman as Baloo captures his character perfectly without imitating the late Phil Harris. Equally good are Jim Cummings (in dual roles as both Col Hathi and the snake...whose name escapes me at the moment. Cummings also is the present day voice for Winnie The Pooh). Bob Joles manages to recall Sebastian Cabot in his portrayal of Bagheera. It's a pity his character isn't more central to the story like in the original. Phil Collins steps in as Lucky a new Vulture to torture Sheer Khan with bad puns, jokes and timing. It's ironic that Collins plays the role as the quartet of vultures from the original film were caricatures of The Beatles.

The script is both witty and the pacing swift. Children won't get bored and, yes, adults just might be entertained. Jungle Book 2 isn't a sequel as much of an update of the original film with more contemporary references. The conflict is once again between Mowgli and Shere Khan; Shere Kahn has returned to the jungle looking for revenge against the man cub. Baloo (brilliantly played by John Goodman)is bored out of his mind and rushes out to find Mowgoli again as he misses his buddy. Mowogli takes to the jungle again with Baloo when Shanti (the little girl who tempted Mowogli into the man village in the first place)alerts the town to Baloo's presence. She believes Baloo to be a dangerous wild animal. At the same time Shere Kahn has entered the village looking for Mowogli and is attacked by the villagers who believe he is the wild animal Shanti alerted them to.

Shanti, feeling guilty for her treatment of her best friend Mowogli, goes in search of Mowogli. In the process, she becomes lost in the jungle but proves she's every bit as tough as Mowogli. The film rushes to a showdown between Shere Kahn, Baloo Mowogli and Shanti in the city of ruins.

The songs are engaging (and, yes, a number of classic songs turn up again slightly jazzed up for modern audiences. These classics manage to retain their flair and charm despite the passage of 35 years). The fluid animation, acting and witty script are not captured very well in the trailer that played late last year and early this year. The Jungle Book 2 is every bit a worthy sequel to the original. While it doesn't quite live up to the original film's spectacle and songs, it recaptures much of the fun of the first film without pandering to its audience.

My children were captivated by the film and I found it enjoyable as well. I have to admit I had my doubts but this fine production quickly won me over. It's definitely worth a visit to the theater to catch.

When I wrote these lines, there were 4 reviews on Amazon.com. None of the reviewers seemed to have seen the movie. - Well, I have seen it with my 2 1/2 year old son. I also know Disney's first Jungle Book movie. Now here is what I think:

This movie is fine for kids. They will have fun. There are no scenes that I think are too scary for small children. My son was doing fine. He enjoyed the song and dance scenes a lot and I think this is why most people like the first movie. Since the "Bear Necessities" is such a great song, it is played about three times (make your own thoughts about that). So, if you want your kids to have a good day at the movies, send them to this one.

From an adult point of view I must say that the story is not very exciting. Don't forget, this is a Disney sequel again. Disney used to release their sequels only on video and DVD (e.g. Pocahontas 2, Arielle 2, etc.). But lately they think that they should show them in movie theaters. It's too bad that Disney tries to warm up successful stories. If you don't have kids that you want to take to the movies, don't watch this one unless you go into the theater not expecting too much. The movie is not bad but it's just not as great as the guys at Disney think it should be.

My top 3 Disney animated movies are:
1. Aladdin (just fabulous!!!!!)
2. The Beauty and the Beast
3. The Little Mermaid
(This list does not include the computer animated movies, of course.)

If you are going to make a movie, do it right. This effort is an embarassment to the wonderful Jungle Book. It has fine actors, so they are not to blame. They just don't have a movie to make, or a story to tell.

Walt said it best, 'You have to tell a story. Without a story, there is no reason to do anything else.'

A die-hard Disney fan, I grew up with the original Jungle Book. The music, the voices, and the animation entrenched themselves so deeply into my psyche that no sequel could have done the original justice. The producers of this one must have understood that there are many like myself. So instead of tackling the challenge of producing a film to rival Walt's original masterpiece, Disney took the easy road. The result is no more than a delightly animated saturday morning kids cartoon that will keep a kid busy for an hour but will leave their parents rather frustrated. If you're looking for a tribute to- or even a continuation of- the original Jungle Book, you won't find it in this film.

First let me tell you what I liked about the movie: The animation is great! In this aspect (and this aspect only) the producers have replicated and improved on the animation of the first. The jungle is enchanting as ever, the leaves greener. Also brilliant is the voice of Jim Cummings as Kaa and Col. Hathi. Non voice-buffs will never be able to tell the difference between Cummings and the legendary Sterling Holloway of the original. I have never seen a voice duplicated so well. Cummings himself has cut himself out to be a modern Disney classic.

But other than those two things, JB2, however nicely animated, is a case of misguided nostalgia. Either the writers have never seen the original JB, or they have completely ignored its story. While my 2-yr-old is bedazzled by the dancing animals, I scratch my head as the list of inconsistancies gets longer and longer.

We are told by one of the producers in a bonus feature on the DVD that JB2 takes place just 5 days after the original ends. How then, after living 8 years in the jungle with animals, has Mowgli completely adapted to human life? I mean, they could have cut out 2 minutes of the dancing animals and explained to me how Mowgli learned the man language just 5 days after meeting a human for the first time. Keep in mind also that Mowgli would have known Baloo for a measely couple days- yet in risking his life to re-enter the jungle, he has no desire whatsoever to revisit the pack of wolves that protected and raised him in the jungle for 8 years.

Also frustrating is the utter lack of musical creativity. I counted 2 original songs here- Osment's butchering of the lackluster "Jungle Rhythm," and the song the animals dance to at King Louie's (who, mysteriously, doesn't bother to make an appearance in this sequel). You'd think that in the 36 years that separate these films, the folks at Disney might be able to come up with some decent music. Nah, Disney's musical genius has been lagging behind for several years now, and JB2 is living proof.

My last beef with this movie- John Goodman as Baloo. Ok, I know he did a great job as Sully on Monsters, Inc., but he doesn't hold a candle to the brilliance of Phil Harris. Not that anybody could, but you think with their pool of talent they could at least come close. Goodman has talent, yes. Unfortunately it's not in cartoon voicing or singing. Goodman seems lost with Baloo; the character completely eludes him. This could be because he was the wrong voice for the character. Ed Gilbert, who voiced Baloo in the "Tail Spin" cartoon, could have done a whole lot better.

Bottom line: Rent it for your kid, but be ready to cringe. Another awful Disney sequel.

While Jungle Book 2 isn't in the same league as the original, it's a pleasantly surprising sequel. Why pleasantly surprising? Well, the writing, animation and production values are all quite good and consistent with the stuff we've seen in the more cutting edge Disney vehicles. The voice casting is quite good as well; the actors chosen don't imitate so much as reinterpret the roles.

Songs in Disney movies have been a problem since the death of Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin). Ashman was the consumate lyricist--his witty, informed lyrics never sounded forced. Tim Rice's lyrics for the Elton John penned Lion King music came close on occasion (as did Rice's single contribution to Aladdin). While Rice isn't quite in the same league as Ashman, his words would have made these songs better. The music doesn't sound as recycled and second hand as the direct-to-video material for Aladdin and the 40 Thieves. They also don't have the freshness that the Sherman brothers or any number of other composers might have brought to the project. While Randy Newman's material might have sounded out of place here, I could see Lyle Lovett coming up with material (please, no more Phil Collins or Sting stuff).

The DVD has some nice extras including a brief recap of the original film. The DVD I purchased came without a booklet (or even an insert with chapter listings). If Disney is getting this cheap about issuing their material on DVD, I'll be reluctant to purchase other Disney films. I find these inserts useful for the kids. I also enjoy the artwork, too.

Jungle Book 2 is an enjoyable sequel to the classic original. While it lacks the distinctive feel of the original, it makes for it with a more contemporary pace and character interactions. It's a nice addition to any Disney collection and enjoyable and appropriate for the whole family.

Can the Walt Disney people still assemble a good animated movie or what?I've just recently even become aware of this sequel to the 1967(was it?)original.Well,THAT movie will always have a special place in my heart as I remember seeing it when it first came out when I was,like ten.The 'Jungle Book 2',I thought had a real good storyline and production.Most of the beloved jungle characters return here,like Baloo,Bagheera,Kaa,Sonny(the baby elephant),Shere Khan and the two vultures(did they even have names?).The animation is(as always,of course)top rate.My two favorite scenes were where Mowgli and Baloo step over to King Louie's temple to join everyone else for a memorable dance number while there were animals strutting their stuff on EVERY square inch of the temple's foundation and the dramatic/eerie scene where Mowgli,the girl and Baloo try to draw Shere Khan away by secretly banging on the temple's ancient gongs and the tiger ends up being trapped...(you'd have to see the movie yourself).Their remake of "The Bare Necessities" was good.A movie that the whole family could enjoy on especially a rainy night.By the way,whatever happened to King Louie?

Not exactly a "bare necessity" for a movie collection here. I just watched this and what I saw was the stark difference between what Disney animation was in the 1960's (The Original Jungle Book; Robin Hood; Original Fox and Hound; The Aristocats) and what it has recently become.

It took me a while to grasp what looks wrong about this movie, and what it is seems to be that it looks like multiple ways of rendering art are superimposed in a way that doesn't integrate them very well. The original Jungle Book looks like an oil painting (to quote one of the creators of this movie from the special features) but this movie looks like some inordinately brightly colored and rather flat dimensionless matte artwork with a combination of animated drawings and computer generated 3D animation.

Or to put it briefly, a group of computer people got together and threw together several different ways of creating images, way over did it, and then congratulated themselves for being great artists. Oh, and while they were at it they forgot to come up with a story. A real story would have helped.

One good thing this movie has going for it is the voice acting talent. It really sounded like the original Jungle Book, even if it looked very different.

So the bottom line is by all means try to see this movie before you shell out the money and reserve precious shelf space for this rehash of a beloved Disney classic.

This 2003 sequel to the beloved 1967 Disney movie "The Jungle Book" is basically familiar territory that rarely strays far from the original as far as its characters, plot, and villains. Yet, it is an enjoyable romp that makes for a nice addition to the original. In the 5 years since its release, computer animation has come a long way, so some of the computer shadings and other effects seem almost primitive compared to what we are accustomed to; the harsh computer shading detracts a bit from the visual presentation. I don't know that I would go to a theater to view this widescreen presentation, but for a home video release, it is right on the money.

Storywise, Mowgli has been living in the village with humans for about 4 years; Baloo misses Mowgli, and Mowgli is having a hard time forgetting the jungle, despite the fact that he has become closer Shanti, the girl who enticed him to live in the jungle in the first place. Can you see it coming? Shanti's fear of the jungle causes Mowgli to renounce the village, return to Baloo, and of course, Shere Khan is not far behind. Shanti & her little brother go after Mowgli, adding two more villagers for Shere Khan and Kaa to hunt. The catchy Sherman Brothers tunes from the original are re-used ("The Bare Necessities" and "I Wanna' Be Like You") as well as a few fun new original songs, "Jungle Rhythm" and "W-I-L-D"). Closing credits have the rock group Smash Mouth doing an awesome cover version of the song "I Wanna' Be Like You." The voice talent for the movie is impressive: John Goodman fills the mighty big shoes of the late Phil Harris as Baloo; Haley Joel Osment voices Mowgli; Jim Cummings is amazing as Kaa, and seems to be channeling Sterling Holloway; singer Phil Collins does admirably as one of the vultures.

For the extras, there is a good amount of material here: Games & Activities include Mowgli's Story Time Adventure Game. This one uses the 2 dimensional shadow puppets featured in this films opening credits. Players punch the arrow keys on their remote to match what they see on screen. It's a bit of a yawn, and there are no fun prizes/extras when you complete the game. Mowgli's Jungle Ruins Maze is much better; players use their remote to find their way through a maze, and along the way they must answer questions about different animals; a nice mix of fun and education. Music Videos on the DVD include the Smash Mouth cover as well as the 2 original songs from the film, "W-I-L-D" and "Jungle Rhythm." A few deleted scenes are included along with explanation by Sharon Morrill (former head of Disney Toon Studios) and Matt Walker (Sr. VP of Music); the main reason scenes were deleted were to put the story focus back on Mowgli and not Shanti. Quick access to songs in the movie is included here, as well as a karaoke version of the movie. "Backstage Disney" includes a Reader's Digest version of the original movie and a featurette detailing the making of the movie; the featurette is really about the best bonus; it is fun to see and hear from the voice talents as well as the creative team, who does appear very excited about the movie, albeit a little self-congratulatory and over-praising.

Overall...thumbs up for the family and kids. An enjoyable film to watch with a number of fun extras.

It seems like Disney can't keep their greedy little fingers off any original Disney film. They had already come out with a few sequels....namely "The Little Mermaid 2", "Peter Pan 2", and "Pocahontas 2", so it was only fitting that "The Jungle Book 2" would be next in line.

I have to admit that this movie wasn't horrible, but it wasn't the greatest either. The main plot/storyline is this: Mowgli misses life in the jungle, and it shows not only in his songs, but in his stories also. Baloo misses his little "man cub" too, so one night, he decides to "kidnap" Mowgli and take him back to the jungle. The upside is that both Baloo and Mowgli are happy again. The downside is that Mowgli's two new villiage friends -- Shanti and Ranjan -- miss him, and go out in the jungle to look for him. The story turns into a two-way tie....following the adventures of both Shanti and Ranjan, and Mowgli and Baloo. In the end, Mowgli realizes that his heart lies in the man villiage.

The animation seemed kinda so-so in my opinion. They obviously did their best to copy the original animation, and they achieved it in a way that I think was ok, but not great.

The voice acting was superb. John Goodman did a pretty good (but not great) Baloo, Haley Joel Osment presents himself nicely as young Mowgli, and Jim Cummings does a wonderful job of portraying the sly and sinister thoughts of Kaa the snake. (I had the pleasure of meeting Jim Cummings once when I was about 8-10 yrs. old, actually. Nice guy.)

All-in-all, it's a film that'll keep the kids on their toes clapping and laughing, but will have the parents waiting for it to end. *wink* It wasn't that bad, but it wasn't that great either. I gave it three stars because I'm a "kid at heart", and I enjoyed it. *smile*

I bet a lot of people are wondering, when is Disney going to get tired of making sequels? I don't know for sure, or when they will get tired of making sequels. While the orginal was out in 1967, this movie was released this year. The movie takes place after Mowgli has left the jungle and moved to a man villiage. The movie has 2 songs from the first movie, and one of them is I want to be like you peformed by Smashmouth. And it has new songs like Jungel Ryhtem. And both Baloo and Mowgli doing solos. As the movie opens, Mowgli (Haley Joel Osment) is telling his life story, as much as he knows of it. And he is missing the jungle, and he is not allowed to cross the water. While in the jungel, Baloo (John Goodman) is missing Mowgli, and can't not cross the water to visit or bring Mowgli back to the jungle. When a girl named Shanti (Mae Whitman) catches Mowgli crossing the river, with kids including his step-brother (Connor Funk), she screams stop, and then Mowgli's father comes running, and orders the kids back to the land including Mowgli, and when Mowgli does follow his father's orders, he grounds Mowgli to his room without his supper. Almost every character from the first movie, is back expect for King Louie, and a lot of them has a bigger part including Shere Khan (Tony Jay) who is back in the jungel, looking to get revenge on Mowgli.