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The Jungle Book (1967)
As I'm going to see the 2016 Jungle Book at the cinema tomorrow, I'm going to review the 1967 classic. Both versions are based on Rudyard Kipling's classic collection of short stories concerning man club Mowgli and the animals of the jungle. Of course, Disney decided to turn it into a musical (it wouldn't be a Walt Disney Classic otherwise) and an iconic Walt Disney animation was born.
We all know the story of The Jungle Book; it's a story we all hear during our childhood. Mowgli (in this version, voiced by Bruce Reitherman) is raised by wolves in the jungle, whilst Shere Khan (George Sanders) hears of the man cub's presence and insists man shouldn't live among them. It's up to Baloo (Phil Harris) and Bagheera (Sebastian Cabot) to protect him until he eventually returns to civilisation. There's a reason why it's an age-old story and that's because it's a good one. It's essentially a story about growing up; something we all have to do even if we don't want to do it. And it works perfectly as a Walt Disney musical; the songs feel natural and are some of the very best from any Disney film. The Bare Necessities is a classic; one of those Disney songs that you always find yourself humming after hearing it. I Wanna Be Like You is equally as good; a catchy jazz number that has been sung countless times on television.
The Jungle Book features some of the best voice-acting in any Walt Disney animated film too. Phil Harris is the perfect Baloo; his voice just suits the character (although I'm sure Bill Murray will probably prove to be better when I see the live-action version). Sebastian Cabot is brilliantly sarcastic as Bagheera and you've got to love Winnie The Pooh as Kaa. That bear's clearly not as cuddly as he seems! Perhaps the highlight though is Louis Prima as King Louie. He is an extremely likeable presence and even manages to upstage Phil Harris. In fact, King Louie could even have had his own spinoff show like the character of Baloo (Tailspin)! Bruce Reitherman is an alright Mowgli but nothing too memorable.
I think the one thing that stands out about every Walt Disney animation is just how good the animation is. It's no different here; the animation is absolutely faultless and has that certain charm many 2D hand-drawn animations had. It is typically Walt Disney; the very magic you expect from a Walt Disney film. It is a shame no 2D hand-drawn Disney films are made now because they are always among the very best.
The Jungle Book spawned a theatrical sequel that came out in 2003 but it wasn't anywhere near as successful. Here's hoping the live-action version isn't a similar disappointment, although judging by the reviews I doubt it will be. If the live-action Jungle Book is anywhere near as good as the animated version then I'll be in for a very enjoyable afternoon. I will be reviewing it tomorrow hopefully although I am very busy with university work at the moment so no guarantees.
Overall, The Jungle Book is a classic animated film by Walt Disney. Through the 2D hand-drawn animation of the time, it has a certain charm to it that will never be replicated in morden 3D animated films and features some of the finest Disney songs (Bare Necessities, I Wanna Be Like You). It's a wonder there's never been a stage musical based on the Jungle Book as with the Lion King, for I am sure it would be a resounding success.
As I'm going to see the 2016 Jungle Book at the cinema tomorrow, I'm going to review the 1967 classic. Both versions are based on Rudyard Kipling's classic collection of short stories concerning man club Mowgli and the animals of the jungle. Of course, Disney decided to turn it into a musical (it wouldn't be a Walt Disney Classic otherwise) and an iconic Walt Disney animation was born.
We all know the story of The Jungle Book; it's a story we all hear during our childhood. Mowgli (in this version, voiced by Bruce Reitherman) is raised by wolves in the jungle, whilst Shere Khan (George Sanders) hears of the man cub's presence and insists man shouldn't live among them. It's up to Baloo (Phil Harris) and Bagheera (Sebastian Cabot) to protect him until he eventually returns to civilisation. There's a reason why it's an age-old story and that's because it's a good one. It's essentially a story about growing up; something we all have to do even if we don't want to do it. And it works perfectly as a Walt Disney musical; the songs feel natural and are some of the very best from any Disney film. The Bare Necessities is a classic; one of those Disney songs that you always find yourself humming after hearing it. I Wanna Be Like You is equally as good; a catchy jazz number that has been sung countless times on television.
The Jungle Book features some of the best voice-acting in any Walt Disney animated film too. Phil Harris is the perfect Baloo; his voice just suits the character (although I'm sure Bill Murray will probably prove to be better when I see the live-action version). Sebastian Cabot is brilliantly sarcastic as Bagheera and you've got to love Winnie The Pooh as Kaa. That bear's clearly not as cuddly as he seems! Perhaps the highlight though is Louis Prima as King Louie. He is an extremely likeable presence and even manages to upstage Phil Harris. In fact, King Louie could even have had his own spinoff show like the character of Baloo (Tailspin)! Bruce Reitherman is an alright Mowgli but nothing too memorable.
I think the one thing that stands out about every Walt Disney animation is just how good the animation is. It's no different here; the animation is absolutely faultless and has that certain charm many 2D hand-drawn animations had. It is typically Walt Disney; the very magic you expect from a Walt Disney film. It is a shame no 2D hand-drawn Disney films are made now because they are always among the very best.
The Jungle Book spawned a theatrical sequel that came out in 2003 but it wasn't anywhere near as successful. Here's hoping the live-action version isn't a similar disappointment, although judging by the reviews I doubt it will be. If the live-action Jungle Book is anywhere near as good as the animated version then I'll be in for a very enjoyable afternoon. I will be reviewing it tomorrow hopefully although I am very busy with university work at the moment so no guarantees.
Overall, The Jungle Book is a classic animated film by Walt Disney. Through the 2D hand-drawn animation of the time, it has a certain charm to it that will never be replicated in morden 3D animated films and features some of the finest Disney songs (Bare Necessities, I Wanna Be Like You). It's a wonder there's never been a stage musical based on the Jungle Book as with the Lion King, for I am sure it would be a resounding success.