MOWGLI is the second of two Kipling adaptations in recent years, following on from the very similar JUNGLE BOOK back in 2016. This one's another motion capture adventure, this time directed by Andy Serkis, who turns in an expectedly bland and lifeless movie. The story takes all of the beloved Kipling creations, gives them random and overly mannered voice performances from a wealth of Hollywood talent, and wastes them in a typical story that's about everything and nothing. It's about man vs jungle, a coming-of-age for Mowgli himself, a good-vs-evil story about a killer tiger, and of course a heavy-handed political statement in which the white man is inevitably bad. I found the endless CGI to be completely lacklustre, as bad as that of INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL, so much so that you're never drawn into the tale for a moment.
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
2018
Action / Adventure / Drama / Fantasy
Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle
2018
Action / Adventure / Drama / Fantasy
Plot summary
The story follows the upbringing of the human child Mowgli raised by a pack of wolves in the jungles of India. As he learns the often harsh rules of the jungle, under the tutelage of a bear named Baloo and a black panther named Bagheera, Mowgli becomes accepted by the animals of the jungle as one of their own, except for one; the fearsome tiger Shere Khan. But there may be greater dangers lurking in the jungle, as Mowgli comes face to face with his human origins.
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Bland and lifeless
tyranny of being second
Human baby Mowgli survives an attack by Bengal tiger Shere Khan and is rescued by black panther Bagheera. He is raised by a pack of wolves and other friendly animals. After stealing fire, Mowgli leaves the pack and is captured by the villagers. He is taken in by Messua (Freida Pinto). Staying in the village is drunken white hunter John Lockwood (Matthew Rhys). Clash between his two families is inevitable.
Directed by Andy Serkis, this arrives over two years after the Disney version of the story. There are many differences in substance but all of it is moot in the face of being released second. It could never gain the success of the Disney film and is relegated to Netflix. The biggest difference is the second half of the movie. By doing so much with the villagers, the story struggles with some muddied morality. Disney is able to simplify it. This one is a darker affair. There are issues of right and wrong. I appreciate the attempt but this may be better as a two part series.
Different from the Disney´s Version
"Mowgli" is an 1894 character that became famous through Disney Studios that used the public domain to promote the character. However this film is darker and different from the Disney´s version. The voices of Christian Bale, Cate Blanchett and Benedict Cumberbatch are impressive and give life to Bagheera, Kaa and Shere Khan. My vote is seven.
Title (Brazil): "Mogli: Entre Dois Mundos" ("Mowgli: Between Two Worlds")