QUEZON City, Philippines (June 16) – It’s another magnificent opus from Disney – a treat for animal lovers all over the world!
This is the second time that Disney brought the opus of English journalist, writer of short stories, poet and novelist Rudyard Kipling. The first was an animated film way back in 1967 and has the distinction of being the last film produced by Walt Disney himself.
As a family film, the 1967 Jungle Book veered away from Kipling’s dark and dramatic tone and featured happy songs, one of the more popular is “Bare Necessities”. The 1967 film grossed $73 million in the United States and Disney tried to capitalized on its success by making a live action remake in 1994 and an animated sequel in 2003.
After thirteen years, Disney decided to release another live-action adaptation of the Jungle Book. And our favorite animal characters were brought to life onscreen with the usual state-of-the art and realistic animation that is the byword of the beloved film company.
Of course, it is not only the special effects that made us fall in love with the furry residents of the jungle. Some of the big names of Hollywood lent their voices – Bill Murray, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba and Christopher Walken to name a few.
But the star of the show is Neel Sethi who played the man-cub raised by wolves, Mowgli. One can feel his desire to belong in the world that is all that he knew and tried his hardest to fit in with his animal family and friends. Aside from momentary lapses to humanity – or his “tricks” as the other animals call it – Mowgli is accepted by his pack and by the other denizens of the jungle despite his fundamental difference.
But all it takes is one irrational character that refuses to accept him to make the situation worse. As embodied by the tiger, Shere Khan – whose menacing presence put a damper to the peaceful relations between the animals of the jungle – the film shows us what intolerance can do if allowed to run its course.
In light of recent events, the message of Jungle Book rings true more than ever. We should learn to look beyond physical appearance. Instead, we should learn to be open and accepting of others. Then, we’ll find out that deep down, we are all the same.
(written by Jay Paul Carlos, additional research by Vince Alvin Villarin)