Author Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book novels have been adapted into several different film versions, with the newest iteration being a live-action adventure directed by Iron Man's Jon Favrau. While most Disney fans, myself included, regard the 1967 animated version as a classic, Favrau's retelling manages to surprisingly stand on its own, and, in some ways, surpass its predecessor.
The story follows Mowgli (newcoming actor Neel Sethi), a child who has been raised by a pack of wolves and a black panther named Bagheera (voiced by Ben Kingsley). But after Mowgli's life is threatened by the menacing tiger, Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), he must embark on a journey through the jungle to find a man village, all while trying to discover where he truly belongs along the way. One of the most impressive aspects that you can immediately notice is the myriad of accomplished voice actors, all of whom slip into their roles effortlessly. Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day star Bill Murray is the perfect pick for the easy-going Baloo the bear, who contrasts perfectly against Kingsley's protective Bagheera. The two are playing the "odd couple" who are parenting Mowgli, and their offset personalities make for some good comedy. And Elba, is quickly becoming the new generation's Johnny Depp, with a track record ranging from Prometheus to Mandela and an ability to take on a variety of roles, with his turn as Shere Khan being no exception. He's delightfully menacing and fun to watch, but not so frightful as to ward off younger viewers (this is a Disney picture, after all). Other enjoyable performances come from Scarlett Johannson as Kaa the snake and Christopher Walken as the ape King Louie, both of whose scenes are incredibly atmospheric and easy to get lost in. But the real standout star is Sethi as Mowgli, who gives an impressive first performance. Given that all of the animals are almost entirely computer-generated, when Mowgli is sharing a scene with one of them, it's really just Sethi talking to himself in an empty set. I've seen grown actors fall flat with that approach in other films (the Star Wars prequels, anyone?) and it takes conviction to pull it off convincingly, which Sethi does well. Beyond that, his character is well-written, with a believable balance of vulnerability and resourceful prowess. If it had leaned too strongly in either one direction, it would have been boring; Mowgli would have either too defenseless or too invincible, but this version nails the right balance: he's a likeable child hero with some admirable strength, as well as room to overcome in other areas. Now, about those visual effects. Normally, I'm a real stickler for practical effects (sets, models, animatronics, anything organic and real), while I think computers should be used to polish, not create. However, this movie relies almost entirely on computers to create its world, and I must admit, it looks astonishing. Not only are the animals unbelievably photo-realistic, but the world they inhabit, though digitally created, feels authentic and organic, with each new environment having its own sense of character and uniqueness to it. I guess it truly goes to show that computers have reached the point where, when handled properly, they can create something that rivals the world of practical effects. And while I still do prefer the older filmmaking style, it's impossible to argue with the onscreen results. Think of it this way: if 1982's The Thing represents the peak of what practical effects can make, then 2016's The Jungle Book represents the fullest potential of digital effects. And while all of those aspects make the movie enjoyable on its own, I'll bet you're still wondering: how does this adaptation compare to the beloved Disney classic? Well, in some aspects, it honestly improves over the original. A lot of the less memorable songs have been scrapped from the film, leaving the focus on more toe-tapping musical selections, such as Baloo's "Bare Necessities" and King Louie's "I Want to Be Like You" (can you really ask for more than Christopher Walken as a singing orangutan?) Another welcomed improvement is the much more focused storyline; whereas the original is enjoyable when best viewed as a freeform party that abandons plot structure, this Jungle Book tells a well-paced, deliberate narrative, with a relatable and engaging moral about finding your place in the world. Overall, there's not much to complain about here. If I were to nitpick, I'd say that there are a few too many scenes of Mowgli being rescued from peril at the last second, but again, it only adds to the balance of his character. Other than that, the film is well-acted all around, visually engrossing, and well-paced with enough smoothly-inserted song numbers to keep the younger viewers just as entertained as the adults will be by the narrative and theming. I'm giving The Jungle Book three and a half out of four stars.
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When you think of a "family movie," you probably think of a Disney animated feature, or a similar such film intended for a family audience. But Louder Than Bombs is a different kind of "family movie," a sincerely-crafted independent drama about the very concept of family. And it's all the better for it.
The story primarily follows the endeavors of a father named Gene (The Usual Suspects' Gabriel Byrne) struggling to connect with his sons, Conrad (Devin Druid) and Jonah (The Social Network star Jesse Einsenberg) following the death of their mother, Isabelle (Isabelle Huppert). Isabelle was a notable war photographer who left behind a legacy of stunning images, but also left a lot of fractures within her family. Conrad in particular is struggling with the loss and coming to terms in his own ways, and though the film spends a lot of its focus with him, he isn't really the main character. In fact, there really isn't one main character. One of the best qualities about the script is that it gives you a little bit of everyone's perspective, a highlight scene being Conrad's walk home from school, seen from both his own and his father's perspective. It's just an example, but it shows how two characters can see the same thing very differently, and no more is that clear than in the case of how each of the characters remember Isabelle. But this effect can only work if the actors are truly engaged in their characters' emotions, and this cast doesn't disappoint. Byrne and Eisenberg give unsurprisingly strong performances, this being an exceptional and refreshing change of pace for Eisenberg. He's done a great job in projects such as The Social Network and Now You See Me as the socially awkward know-it-all, but now he's finally getting to play something different, and he pulls it off effortlessly. His character this time around is well-intentioned, but doesn't always know how to be emotionally supportive, since he's going through issues of his own. Huppert is also impressive, portraying a character through several different lights (her sons', her husband's, and her own perspective), and the result gives us as much information as we need about her while still being curious for more. But the real standout here is up-and-coming star Druid, who wonderfully plays the enigmatic Conrad. There's so much going on under the surface for this character that it almost feels chaotic, but there's a reason to everything he does. All he wants is to be seen and heard, and you're right there rooting for him. The result makes for a performance that just makes you think, "This kid's going to be in more things real soon." When I saw Louder Than Bombs at last fall's Middleburg Film Festival, I hardly knew what to expect from it, and I was very pleasantly surprised. The script doesn't go overboard into "artsy" territory and lose its audience, but at the same time, it is ambitious enough to inject the family drama setup with some variety. Each of the characters get their own time in the sun, and are expertly acted, making for a more well-rounded narrative. It's not an indie mind-boggler like Pulp Fiction or Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, but it's not supposed to be; rather, it's a sincere and honest look at family dynamics, examined through every character's own lens. If it's playing near you, please do check it out. I'm giving Louder Than Bombs three and a half out of four stars. |
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