Bearly Necessary
The Jungle Book 2
Review by Ross Anthony

The film starts with Mowgly bringing us up to speed with a quick shadow puppet retelling of the '67 classic. This and its matching woven cloth credits are innovative and interesting. But aside for a few exceptional moments, "innovative and interesting" are words that unfortunately do not describe the bulk of the film.

The Jungle Book 2 I loved "Lion King," "Beauty and the Beast," and even enjoyed "Treasure Planet," but "JB2" is so devoid of anything new and/or clever that the "creators" resort to abusing an early homage to "Bare Necessities." They reprise the once wonderful tune three times and even end the film on it!

Formula, routine dialogue, "No, No, No, let me explain." The pleasing color scheme and tranquil waving water are the only consistent plusses. Kudos to the snake-hypnotizer scene and to Phil Collins as Lucky, the belly-laughing vulture that can't stop himself from mocking Shere Khan. His Beatles tribute buddies are also fun, but in total we're talking about 3 minutes of screentime here.

You can take the boy out of the Jungle Book, but if you're not careful, you can take the Jungle Book out of the boy. Maybe it'll work as a rental for the kids? But there's plenty more talking here than action.



  • The Jungle Book 2. Copyright © 2003.
  • Starring the voices of John Goodman, Haley Joel Osment, Mae Whitman, Connor Funk, Bob Joles, Tony Jay as Shere Khan, John Rhys-Davies, Jim Cummings, Phil.
  • Directed by Steve Trenbirth.
  • Screenplay by Karl Geurs.
  • Produced by Mary Thorne and Chris Chase at Disney.



Grade..........................C+



Copyright © 2001. Ross Anthony, currently based in Los Angeles, has scripted and shot documentaries, music videos, and shorts in 35 countries across North America, Europe, Africa and Asia. For more reviews visit: RossAnthony.com


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Last Modified: Saturday, 16-Sep-2006 08:07:15 PDT