THE JUNGLE BOOK: THE IMAX 3D EXPERIENCE (2016) Review
Directed by Jon Favreau
Re-imagining one of Disney’s classic movies is a trend right now. Even outside Disney’s film production, their classic titles are being remade as live-action movies that might even start a franchise (i.e. Snow White and the Huntsman). There’s nothing wrong with that, as long as you stay true to the story’s heart like 2015’s Cinderella and unlike 2014’s Maleficent.
Jon Favreau is known for his works with Marvel, Iron Man and Iron Man 2, both were box-office hits even though the latter one was not as fresh as the first one. Now he enters the bandwagon of remaking Disney classics with The Jungle Book and how happy we are he did.
The Jungle Book is a visually stunning epic adventure. Jon Favreau manages to make the story deeper and more grounded but some of the magic from the 1967 animated film was unfortunately had to have a different approach not that it affects the whole package of the film. But there’s a lot to see in here, not just the setting and the animal characters come to life but also the young and very talented Neel Sethi, the only human actor in the film.
The voices featured in the film are very much like the voices from the original that but for those unfamiliar with it won’t mind it, of course but the film was well-casted nonetheless. The story is as big as its production and it’s not short on entertainment from start to finish. But it also boasts unusual heartwarming scenes that makes the experience even worth your time.
Even though you feel that it wants to go darker than it could’ve been, The Jungle Book is fit for the whole family not only because of its visuals and story but also because of the lessons you can get from its characters.
Spending more than the usual for the 3D is also recommended especially if it’s IMAX 3D. The film uses its format as an advantage to tell its story and the setting is more than a reason to see the film in eye-popping 3D.
4 OUT OF 5 STARS
“The Jungle Book” is now showing in Philippine cinemas in 2D, 3D and IMAX 3D from Walt Disney Studios, locally distributed by Columbia Pictures. Rated PG by the MTRCB.