The decision to take my 5-year-old to see PG-rated The Jungle Book was a nail biter. The trailers and clips emanated a darker, more menacing tone than I expected. And initially, my little guy looked at the trailer and said “pass.” But, when his older sister could no longer attend the screening with me, young Tate asked to see it again. He said, “Looks good. I’ll go.” And, thus, my angst began. Should I trust my mommy instincts that this new iteration may really be for older children? Or, alternatively, would the live-action end up boring my kindergartner who prefers animation?
Here’s the surprise: He loved it. He wasn’t scared at all. In fact, he was more anxious during Zootopia. And even though Mowgli’s parents die in this film (oh, Disney, old habits die hard, don’t they?), my kid handled it well.
Tate’s lack of tears and fear wasn’t because the film didn’t deliver on the trailer’s promise. This live-action/CGI adaptation of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book,” is far more dramatic than the 1967 Disney animated classic. And it’s full of epic animal battles and jump scares. True to the novel, our boy Mowgli is almost constantly in peril as he is preyed upon by the tiger, a massive boa constrictor and an enormous orangutan. Although animal characters are killed, there is no blood or graphic violence.
Thankfully, the film does have its lighter moments, mostly due to the voice talents of Bill Murray and Christopher Walken. Mowgli's bear friend, Baloo, as voiced by Murray, resonates comfort and authenticity. And interestingly, the scenes with the monkey king would be more frightening if not for Walken. Walken’s New York mobster-like delivery went right over the children’s heads, but it was not lost on the parents in the theater. They were laughing so hard it broke through the tension. Perhaps the most delightful moments (at least for those familiar with the animated classic) are the inclusion of two of the animated film’s most beloved songs.
As far as the live-action versus animation, I’ve learned that the younger children are, the more they prefer animation and comedy. The Jungle Book is a live-action adventure drama. However, the trump card to that is animals. Animals as central characters always hook the interest of kids. If the other main character is a kid who is able to interact with the animal as a peer, then, it’s gold. The Jungle Book utilizes the magic formula by giving no boring grownups a single line of dialogue, resulting in children who are totally engaged.
I can’t say that all kids won’t be scared or upset by The Jungle Book, but the small children around me didn’t seem affected. As for Tate, as soon as the film was over, he told me he wanted to see The Jungle Book again. He also told me that the next morning. And, again after I picked him up from school the next day. So, we’ll go again – and this time, we’ll bring his sister.
For another mom's take, check out Angela Hoover on Mom's Movie Minute:
