The Jungle Book (2016) - Jon Favreau

I should probably offer some praise as well, as it was visually one of the most stunning films I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. The casting seems quite spot on, too; everyone was solid, and I suppose I’m actually glad they didn't dub the voices, since the original performances were so compelling.
Most people will likely always hold the old Disney animated classic as their definitive version of The Jungle Book, but this was honestly great.
The theater was filled with parents and their kids, though there was also a group of thirty-somethings who seemed to be sharing some pretty glowing reviews once the credits rolled.
Perhaps I’m being a bit too generous, but I walked out with that lingering feeling that I had truly enjoyed myself and witnessed something beautiful.

It’s a fantastic film. Honestly, no matter how you slice it—from the technical execution to the emotional beats—I don't have a single complaint. The visual effects are absolutely flawless, and the narrative has been given this extra layer of depth that really ties everything together. As for young Mowgli? They couldn't have cast anyone better; the kid is just a natural. It’s almost too perfect, if such a thing were possible. 🙂

10/10

A Walken 👍

Such a fantastic movie—the animation, the realism, the characters, even the voice acting... everything about it is just top-tier...

I went into this one feeling pretty skeptical, but man, was I wrong. It’s honestly a fantastic movie across the board—the script, the directing, the VFX... everything just works. The acting was great too, especially Mowgli and Bill Murray as Baloo (though, if I'm being honest, Johansson didn't quite hit the mark for me). You can really tell Disney put in the work to make this a top-tier production. I’m definitely hoping we see more of these animated classics brought to life. Word is they’re working on Mulan next? Can't wait.

Beauty and the Beast is next on the list. The posters are already up.

Yep, absolutely top-tier execution. Stringer and Murray are killing it. 👍

Honestly, I was pretty disappointed. I mean, sure, the technical stuff is top-tier, but let’s be real—Avatar is technically flawless too, so that doesn't really win me over. You've got Bill and Idris killing it, but the plot feels like a carbon copy of the animated movie, and by the middle, it just turns into this super childish, boring slog.
And don't even get me started on that part where Walken starts singing... seriously, that was easily the worst part of the whole movie. Just awful.

Mark White11 said:Honestly, I was pretty disappointed. I mean, sure, the technical stuff is top-tier, but let’s be real—Avatar is technically flawless too, so that doesn't really win me over. You've got Bill and Idris killing it, but the plot feels like a carbon copy of the animated movie, and by the middle, it just turns into this super childish, boring slog.
And don't even get me started on that part where Walken starts singing... seriously, that was easily the worst part of the whole movie. Just awful.

😵😵😵😵🙏🙏🙏🙏

Austin Rodriguez5 said:😵😵😵😵🙏🙏🙏🙏

🐔🙂😒

This movie is easily one of the absolute best things released in 2016. 🙏

Man, I just sat through it for the second time in forty-eight hours, and honestly? I even rewound to watch the credits all the way through again. 🙏

Louie being this little monkey mafia king is just such an incredible character. 😂

Seriously, go watch it right now!!! It’s a total crowd-pleaser for every single generation. ☕

👍👍👍👍👍

I just rewatched it with my girlfriend the other day—honestly, it’s an absolute masterpiece. 🙏 Actually, the second viewing might have even hit harder than the first. It’s definitely one of those films that warrants a rewatch every once in a while—just to stay sharp. Absolute masterpiece. 👍

I suppose I should address the latest chatter regarding the upcoming projects—it seems everyone has an opinion, though very few seem to have actually sat down and thought about the logistics involved. There is a certain exhaustion that comes with watching these massive studio cycles repeat themselves indefinitely. Regarding what Edward Ortiz77 mentioned earlier—while I appreciate the enthusiasm, I think we’re overlooking the sheer scale of the creative overhaul required here. It isn't just about changing a few lines of dialogue; it’s about the fundamental DNA of the production. I find myself agreeing with Richard Barrett53 on one specific point, even if I disagree with his overall conclusion. The industry moves at such a frantic pace now that "quality" feels like a secondary concern to "content volume." We see it constantly with the major studios in Los Angeles—just churning out iterations of stories we've already told a dozen times over. It’s a wearying cycle, really. One waits for something truly transformative, yet we usually end up with more of the same, polished to a high shine but lacking any real soul. kaže:
I’m genuinely looking forward to catching this one. I'm not sure if everyone here is aware, but Warner Bros. is actually working on their own take of The Jungle Book for 2018 as well. 😁

Austin Rodriguez5 said:After this, feel free to just give up.

This is excellent.

That was my initial thought as well—until I actually sat down and watched the trailer for this remake.
Andy Serkis Tells a Darker version of ' The Jungle Book' trailer: It seems we’re getting a much more somber take on this one—a departure from the usual bright, family-friendly spectacle you might expect from a major studio production. Instead of the lighthearted adventure many grew up with, Serkis appears to be leaning into something significantly more gritty and intense. It’s an interesting pivot, certainly, though I can't help but wonder if this shift toward "darkness" is a genuine creative choice or just another attempt to capture that prestige drama crowd. Still, seeing Mowgli through such a heavy lens provides a fascinating contrast to the versions we've seen before.
The goal was always to craft something darker—something with actual weight to it. This version is titled Mowgli.

I’ll definitely be checking this one out—if nothing else, just to see how it stacks up against the other version. Honestly, this one looks pretty solid to me. 🍿

By the way, I went ahead and started a dedicated thread for that new movie over on the message boards. I can't see the link you're referring to—could you drop it again? Once you do, I'll dive in.

I actually ended up turning it off halfway through. It just felt a bit too slow for my taste. While the animals were incredibly lifelike, the pacing was simply too sluggish for me.