DVD Corner

The Jungle Book 2 Blu-ray Review

“The Jungle Book 2” is a needless sequel.

36 years after releasing the animated classic “The Jungle Book,” Disney opted to produce a sequel that was released theatrically back in 2003. In “The Jungle Book 2,” we see Mowgli living in the man village with the young woman (Shanti) that wooed him there. Even though he seems to be fitting in reasonable well in his new home, a part of him still yearns to be in the jungle. He misses the jungle so much, in fact, he decides to venture back out into the wild where he reunites with his old pal Baloo. Unfortunately for Mowgli, Shere Khan is still on the loose and wants to finish what he started in the first film. Will Mowgli realize where he fits in? Do people at the man village (namely Shanti, her little brother Ranjan, and her parents) care about Mowgli more than he realizes? Can Mowgli escape Shere Khan again? All will be revealed in the end.

While it’s moderately interesting to check back with Mowgli to see how he is adjusting to his life away from the jungle, that’s really all this needless sequel has going for it. For the most part, “The Jungle Book 2” is completely derivative of the first film. Several songs are reprised (namely “Bare Necessities” and “I Wan’na Be Like You”), many lines of dialogue are reused (such as “Yeah, man!” and “Don’t start that again!), and just about every character from the first film makes a return appearance. What little new material there is is simply dreadful (see the “Jungle Rhythm” W-I-L-D” songs). I understand Disney’s intentions were for fans to visit with some old friends, but the studio can’t capture the same spirit without a riveting new story and the original cast. We all know voice cast members like John Goodman, John Rhys-Davies, and Haley Joel Osment are immensely talented actors, but Haley Joel Osment is not Mowgli and John Goodman is not Baloo. As much as those actors try, they can’t replicate the characters we fell in love from 1967. Truth be told, the only way to make a “new” “The Jungle Book” is to create an entirely new take on the iconic tale whether it be live-action or animated.  Oddly enough, recent rumors suggest we will allegedly be seeing not one but two live-action “The Jungle Book” films in the next couple of years. Hopefully, those projects fare better than this sequel.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 1.66:1 1080p. How does it look? This is a definite upgrade from the DVD copy.

Audio Track: 5.1 DTS-HD MA. How does it sound? In typical Disney Blu-ray fashion, this track is nothing short of perfect.

Extras:
* Disney trailers.
* DVD copy and Digital HD copy.
* 2 deleted scenes.
* 2 music videos.
* A sing along option.
* “Synopsis Of The Original Movie- The Jungle Book”- A recap of the first “The Jungle Book” animated feature film.
* “The Legacy Of The Jungle Book” contains a wide range of interviews and discussions about the classic original and this sequel.

Overall Thoughts: Unless you are a Disney completest, I’d recommend just picking up the newly released “The Jungle Book” Blu-ray instead of this sequel.

March 10, 2014 - Posted by nicklyons1 | Blu-Ray review | Baloo, Disney, Mowgli, Shere Khan, The Jungle Book 2 Blu-ray Review, The Jungle Book Movies