If you missed last year's live-action film, 'The Jungle Book' from Disney, you may be a bit suprised by the story. I called this review "Kipling's Jungle Book" because, despite being a Disney film, it's much closer in tone and spirit to the work of the original author than to the previous animated musical of the same name from Disney. The story in this film is only based on Kipling's original, however, most of the original characters are here.
The story opens with Major Brydon (Sam Neill) arriving at his new post in India. Accompanying Brydon are his 5 year old daughter, Kitty, and his best friend, Dr. Mumford (John Cleese). Also along is the 5 year old son of the party's Indian guide, Mowgli. While camping in the jungle, the caravan is attacked by a tiger (the legendary Shere Khan). In the confusion, Mowgli becomes seperated and presumed lost. While wandering through the jungle, Mowgli meets a number of animals and discovers a particular affinity with the beasts. Here the story skips forward to a now grown Mowgli (Jason Scott Lee). Mowgli finds himself drawn nearer to the 'man village' and one day stumbles upon, guess who, a now grown Kitty. Also on hand is one Captain Boone (Cary Elwes), a complete scoundrel after Kitty's hand and, later, a legendary treasure that he believes only Mowgli can find.
In case you haven't picked up on it yet, this is not what I would call a 'kid's movie'. More along the lines of a romantic adventure. The film also contains not a little bit of violence. Enough in my judgement to stretch it's 'PG' rating. The result is a film likely to appeal more to adults (at least the adventure-loving kind) than to children. Suffice to say, there are no singing bears here.
Much of 'The Jungle Book' was shot on location in India and the film contains some very impressive widescreen photography. The transfer for this new laser disc from Disney Home Video is almost as impressive. The first thing I noticed is the rich, deeply saturated color. This makes for a visually stunning picture but there are a few scenes that tend to oversaturation along with some chroma noise. There is also a bit graininesss in several scenes but mostly the image is clear and quite sharp. Contrast and brightness are very good, enhancing the more dramtic lighting in some of the jungle scenes. The film appears to have been shot in anamorphic Panavision and the transferred ratio is only a fraction less than perfect, about 2.30:1.
The Dolby Stereo soundtrack is a very effective mix. The sound designers seem to have eschewed the 'pumped up' bass common in many contemporary action films but here the result is a very natural sound. There is low bass to be sure, but only where called for as in some of the more dramatic growls. The use of the surround channel could be used as a textbook on how to create subtle effects without distracting or overpowering. I suggest a dark, quiet room for this one.
'The Jungle Book' runs 111 minutes and the disc contains 25 chapters. The side break is fairly well placed. At least I did not find it too disruptive. No trailer or supplements are included. List price is $39.98.
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