Review of Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018) by Michael L — 14 Dec 2018

The critics' reviews on this film are a bit bizarre. Since Disney's version of the Jungle Book came out, there seems to be some notion that any movie about Mowgli should keep this family friendly happy-go-lucky formula.

Luckily, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle does it's own thing and it is surprisingly gripping and very well told. Violent, yes, but necessarily so in order to create a sense of peril and struggle for the titular character as he struggles to find where he belongs.

The CGI is great but not as good as Disney's efforts a couple of years ago (but by no means fake - Disney probably threw a crap load of money at that film). The animals are very well rendered with scars and gritty features that look like they've struggled to survive in the jungle.

The acting is also fantastic. The dialogue is great and throughout the film you slowly start caring very deeply for Mowgli and his struggles. Mowgli's friends are a bit less "caring", if you will and aren't as protective of Mowgli as Disney's film made their characters, and that isn't a bad thing. It gives this film's Mowgli a requirement that he stay on his toes and constantly learn how to survive in the jungle.

Overall the plot played out very well and is very different than the Disney film so you won't have to worry about Andy Serkis rehashing a recent plot line. It's fresh, gripping, emotional and entertaining and Ronan Chand gives a valiant and very believable performance as Mowgli.

The critics got this one wrong - very wrong.