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Review Uploaded
02/28/03

1 hr. 13 mins.
Starring (the voices of): John Goodman, Haley Joel Osment, Mae Whitman, Connor Funk, Tony Jay, Phil Collins, John Rhys-Davies
Directed by: Steve Trenbirth

Rating: ** stars (out of 4 stars)

Disney’s The Jungle Book 2, contrary to belief, doesn’t have all the “Bare Necessities” needed to elevate this simplistic family fare beyond its direct-to-video status. In a time where animation features are ambitious in their computer-generated makeup, the lifeless and old-fashioned style of animation that The Jungle Book 2 showcases with inexplicable forethought feels so pointless and passé. Still, you could overlook the lacking aesthetics of an animated film providing that this product meets the standards of a halfway decent storyline stocked with interesting characterizations and a rich, unique plot. Unfortunately for the handlers behind this drab run-of-the-mill production, the baby boomer -reminiscences regarding the retro-Hanna-Barbera goodies of yesteryear have more appeal and relevance than the shoddy and outdated presentation of The Jungle Book 2 for the millennium-aged munchkins to relish.

Surely, it would have been quite a task to expect this modern-day retread to try and match the giddy spirit of the original film. That would be asking too much in this case. But that shouldn’t have prevented the filmmakers from trying to instill some imaginative and insightful energy in this contemporary installment. Granted the youthful audience probably wouldn’t mind one way or another as the sluggish production values and rudimentary storyline probably wouldn’t make a difference to them. Instead of trying to usher out a carbon copy of the 1967 Walt Disney-supervised predecessor in terms of its throwback style of animation maybe it would have been preferable to simply re-release the original inspirational source?

Yes, The Jungle Book 2 is a mindless and innocuous distraction that will hold the tykes’ attention to a certain degree. However, placing them in front of the boob tube all day watching the Cartoon Network would effectively do the trick more convincingly. Certainly, you’d get more bang for your buck in this manner rather than subjecting them to the flimsy and tepid ramblings of a staid big screen cartoon feature. There’s nothing really memorable or distinctive about The Jungle Book 2 that makes this vine-swinging vehicle stick out in the minds of “children of ALL ages”.

We’re reunited with JB juvenile Mowgli (voiced by Haley Joel Osment) as he leaves his jungle setting for civilization in the name of love for a young girl he’s deeply fallen for like a ton of bricks. However, things have changed emotionally for the smitten Mowgli as he now has the support of a caring family including proper parents and a mischievous stepbrother (voiced by Connor Funk) to keep him company. And of course, we cannot forget the darling of his life in the form of Shanti (Mae Whitman), the little gal responsible for his venturing out of the jungle in the first place.

Mowgli still harbors feelings for his old stomping grounds and misses his old cohorts in the deep wild. Despite the advice of his father to stay from the old homestead of the jungle, Mowgli takes the initiative in crossing the river where he would eventually reunite with his hairy pot-bellied pal Baloo (voiced by John Goodman in what was previously Phil Harris’s bubbly role). Without missing a beat, the tandem pick up where they left off-singing, dancing and having a merry old time in the process.

It’s not long when the tumultuous tiger Shere Khan (Tony Jay) gets wind of Mowgli’s return to the scene of the crime. The crafty cat has some unresolved issues he must confront the unsuspecting Mowgli with and will stop it nothing to see that the loin cloth-wearing Nature Boy gets his comeuppance once and for all. Predictably, the last laugh belongs to the fast-thinking Mowgli as he happens to outsmart the furious feline Shere Khan thus adding more resentment in the mix. Soon, Mowgli must make the ultimate decision and choose where he would like to enjoy his remaining existence. Would he be comfortable going back across the river where his beloved family and friends await his return? Or will he remain in the jungle where his heart and spirit has been planted from the get go?

Director Steve Trenbirth has some jubilant moments in the way that he latches together a series of carefree scenes where the free-spirited movie connects the dramatic overtones with that of the finger-snapping musical numbers. That’s fine but what Trenbirth avoids is reinforcing any passion behind the loose-minded frivolity of the proceedings. There’s no real sense of tension or an inkling of surprise for the same characters to indulge in the familiar antics that were once refreshingly cute more than three decades ago. Sure, we are force fed the usual crew that were so instrumental in entertaining us back in the heyday of JB’s premiere: Colonel Hathi, Bagheera, Kaa, the vultures, etc. are all back and counted for. Although it’s nice to be reacquainted with the gang once again, Trenbirth and his writers don’t give us any reason for embracing these characters that once were so defining and noticeable to begin with.

Jungle Book 2 is astute enough to present the some of the old tunes from yesterday to join the few newer but instantly forgettable beats that invade the movie’s soundtrack. Ditties such as “Colonel Hathi’s March”, “I Wanna Be Like You” and the timeless “Bare Necessities” are still very enjoyable but merely echo the nostalgic and chippy personality from the 1967 edition.

Overall, this movie is nothing but a recycled, third-rate kiddie diversion that Disney haphazardly conjured up with the intent of snapping up some sure-fire cash. Tapping into former classic hits and repackaging them as labored sequel treats isn’t exactly the best marketing strategy. However, if you’re willing to trade in on the Disney name and aimlessly toss out another rental wannabe disguised as a frothy full length animated movie then at least regurgitate something that’s magical in its own right.

Lighthearted but decidedly witless, The Jungle Book 2 will only serve as a reminder on how much we miss the golden age of Disney’s whimsical impact.