Jungle 2 Jungle Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Get a little savage.
A New York commodities broker who was married several years ago has been separated from his wife. Now he wants to marry his new girlfriend, so he has to divorce her first. So he goes to Venezuela, and is brought deep into the jungle and told that when they separated she was pregnant and chose not to tell him since he stated he was not really interested in becoming a father. Today, the boy has reached the age where he has to go on a quest, in New York, so his father reluctantly brings him along, and a culture clash follows. The boy has spent all of his life with the tribe he grew up with, and his father has a bit of problem so he can't spent as much as time with his son as his son likes.
| Tim Allen | Michael Cromwell |
| Martin Short | Richard Kempster |
| JoBeth Williams | Dr. Patricia Cromwell |
| Lolita Davidovich | Charlotte |
| Sam Huntington | Mimi-Siku |
| David Ogden Stiers | Alexei Jovanovic |
| Bob Dishy | George Langston |
| Valerie Mahaffey | Jan Kempster |
| Leelee Sobieski | Karen Kempster |
| Frankie J. Galasso | Andrew Kempster |
| Luis Avalos | Abe |
| Carole Shelley | Fiona |
| Dominic Keating | Ian |
| Rondi Reed | Sarah |
| Oni Faida Lampley | Madeleine |
| John Pasquin |
4.40 out of 10 (5427 votes)
Visitor Reviews
Good Movie
posted on 18 Dec 2008My opinion on Jungle 2 Jungle is not as harsh, the movie was cute. The fact that it was a remake isn't my complaint because it is really hard to find movies that haven't been remade from other foreign or alternative films. I give movies at least one chance. Tim Allen is, as usual, comedic while being a bit on the crazy side, but still funny in all the ways you would want him to be, if you like him. You are also introduced to Leelee Sobieski in her feature film debut (she had been in TV movies, but not really big movies till Jungle 2 Jungle came out). The movie in general is a great family flick, one that everyone can enjoy. I believe that is should be given at least one chance, so go out and rent this fun movie.
What were you guys expecting? Citizen Kane?
posted on 15 Nov 2008Jungle 2 Jungle was a family film, not exactly the movie that the Oscars were meant for. I've been noticing how a lot of Tim Allen movies get a lot of heat, I'm wondering if it is just Tim or it is his movies. But I thought that Jungle 2 Jungle was a silly, but fun family film. Yeah, it was incredibly unrealistic, especially dealing with the Russian Mafia, but it was fit for the family to watch.Tim Allen is a trader in New York who is visiting his ex wife in a remote island with natives. But he finds out that they had a son, the mother has raised him in the tribes and Miki, the son, has only experienced no more than his native island. But now that he's become a man to the tribe, he wishes to see the city with his father. But it's going to be a hard task when Miki only knows the rules of the jungle and Tim needing to get his priorities straight.Yeah, it's extremely predictable and from what I understand there is a movie called "An Indian In Paris", it's the same plot, but I think some stories need to be reborn for a new generation. I think people just need to give this movie a chance, it has a few little laughs, especially that cat passing out from the dart! How could you not laugh? 5/10
One of the bad things about this film is that we've seen it all done before, and all done ten times better.
posted on 16 Sep 2008"Jungle 2 Jungle" - (There could be possible plot outline spoilers in this review. If you don't want to know what the movie's about, don't read on. But for heaven's sake: Why are you reading a review, then?)REVIEW BY JOHN ULMERTim Allen stars as a city slicker from New York City who is at the top of his game. He and his fiancee are to be married soon, and he is becoming rich and famous. Only one problem. He needs a divorce signature from his ex-wife, living out on some forgotten island. But when he takes a trip out to the island in the middle of nowhere to meet his ex-wife, he is promptly informed he has a son. Allen, for some reason left untold, takes his son back to NYC with him - again, for no apparent reason other than a sappy "feel-sorry-for-son moment" - where his son creates turmoil in his upper-class life. Of course, this is a lame excuse for one of those "kid-from-the-outside thrown into urban life" films, and quite frankly, it just doesn't work. Not even Martin Short, playing Allen's co-worker, can save this one. Tim Allen is a talented comedian with a history of both good and bad films. I enjoyed him in "The Santa Clause," "Galaxy Quest," "Toy Story," and "Toy Story 2," but he's had his share of bad films ("Big Trouble" and "For Richer or Poorer" rings a bell), including "Jungle 2 Jungle."One of the bad things about this film is that we've seen it all done before, and all done ten times better. I've seen countless films where innocent outsiders are thrown into the urban life and must learn to adapt to their new world. "Blast from the Past," "The Jerk," "That Other One with Brendan Fraser As a Cave Man," and countless others included. Most of which have been done better. In fact, all of which have done better. Yes, even "The One with Brendan Fraser as a Cave Man"!For example, take a scene where Allen's kid climbs the Empire State Building. A lot of potential there, but it comes off very stupid. Unrealistic, unfunny, stupid, and boring. Allen tries to keep this film on its feet, but unfortunately loses his own while doing so. Martin Short shines every time he's on screen, but not in a good way - more in a way of, "I have to use the bathroom NOW!" way. They both try to use their great comedic talents to save this film, but in the end, it suffers. It suffers very, very much.Oh, and another thing: This film is single-handedly a rip-off of Hervé Palud's film "Little Indian, Big City," in which an Indian child goes with his father to France. He climbs the Eiffel Tower, just like Allen's son climbs the Empire State Building. It even copies the bird-shooting scene. I just thought I'd mention that.Anyway, this film deserves to be in the bottom of a video-discount barrel at Wal-Mart. It's lousy. A true stinker.Avoid at all costs.1.5/5 stars
another pointless remake
posted on 24 Jul 2008Rare are the French comic movies that succeed in attracting attention to the USA. When it's the case, the concerned movie can be successful in Uncle Sam's country and sometimes, American film-makers feel like making a remake. It happened with the French movie: "un indien dans la ville". In general, these remakes are as poor as sequels to a movie. But I found this remake a bit better than the original movie: actors are better directed, the screenplay is more worked and the movie is funnier. It doesn't stop it from taking back some (similar) elements to the French movie (here, the Liberty statue took the place of the Eiffel tower and the trapdoor spider is always there to spread panic and fear). It also borrows sequences from several other American movies and as a consequence, "jungle 2 jungle" gives an impression of "déjà-vu". In the end, the movie brings nearly nothing to an already well-worn topic.
Tools of Torture
posted on 06 Jul 2008I would like to commend Disney for making an excellent torturing device for Al Queda prisoners. This can be even more effective then water boarding but much more cruel and painful. Why does the Mimi kid look and sound retarded? Maybe because the actor grew up to look more and more like Rocky Dennis? I was disappointed to see Mimi die from Aids. Sorry for the spoiler. The dangers of unprotected gay sex is a recurring theme but a bit heavy and not really appropriate for children in my opinion. Tim Allen's acceptance of his gay jungle love child is touching at times but rings hollow in my opinion. Martin Short's character is a little creepy as well. He is constantly trying to get the young Mimi alone and lives with several transsexuals and sexual deviants. Perhaps Disney was trying to make this movie interesting to adults as well? I think they missed the mark here as well. Enjoy!
One of the worse movies of 1997.
posted on 21 Jun 2008I was looking at some reviews and was wondering what were people thinking, and then an idea came to me. People who know that this movie is a piece of junk feel it isn't worth writing a review about it. I'm here to do justice and to speak for them. This movie is bad for many reasons. The most obvious is that it's not funny at all. All the humor sets on trying to make it funny that this kid doesn't know how to behave, but it's turns very dullish. In one scene where the boy eats exotic expensive fish just hits the lowest of all lows. This movie is simply not funny. The premasis is terrible. Does anyone ever think about telling the kid that there is no fire on the Statue of Liberty? Does anyone ever think about teaching this kid some manners? It seems that a lot of the adult characters in this movie are actually dumber than the kid. There is no good chemistry between the kid and his father. At least they could have given us something nice like a scene at a movie. Instead this movie is about coffee more than it's about any father son relationship. Jungle 2 Jungle is not the worst movie I have even seen but it would make one of the 10 worst for sure. I try to stay away from bad movies but failed in this instance. I don't put everything into critics but when all of them say a movie sucks it does suck. I'm giving it a 2 out of a 10 and that's generous.
A funny, family-friendly film
posted on 31 May 2008A remake of the French hit, "Little Indian - Big City", "Jungle 2 Jungle" rises above the slap stick of the French original and the usual shallow Disney live action to become an enjoyable, funny and often heart-warming story, as much to do with father/son relationships as with a fish out of water. Although Tim Allen and Martin Short are their usual good selves here, Sam Huntington is the real star. An amazing young talent, he makes "Mimi-Siku" believable and endearing, someone we relate to and care about. It's Sam's performance that really lifts the film and makes it worthwhile to children and adults alike.
Wildly funny!
posted on 10 May 2008This is one great movie! Immediately after registering my vote of 8 on imdb.com, I almost regretted it and wished I had put down 9. Well, 8.5 it is.I saw this movie in the cinema back in '97 and again on tv a few days ago. I thoroughly enjoyed it the first time and four years down the road, it's as enjoyable as ever.The acting is very good, especially from the leads, Tim Allen and his best friend in the movie, Martin Short. Sam Huntington, the jungle boy, is perfectly cast and an actor to look out for. Leelee Sobieski as Sam's teenage love interest is oh so sweet. I certainly cared for the characters a whole lot, and that is a sign of a good movie (well, to me it is).Tim and Martin are both very funny. As a comedian, Tim is way up there with guys like Mel Brooks, Gene Wilder, Eddie Murphy and Don Knotts. I love it when he tries out the blowpipe. And I love the way Martin says, "What's matika?" (For all you ignoramuses out there, a "matika" is a big hairy spider.)I also liked the supporting cast e.g. Lolita Davidovich and Valerie Mahaffey who played Tim's girlfriend and Martin's wife respectively.I just saw Scary Movie 2, The Animal, and Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back. J2J is way better than these clunkers (ok, Jay And Silent Bob wasn't so bad). I'd put it on a par with Jack (starring Robin Williams).Lastly, the gags are really funny. Quite often you can see them coming, but they are funny nonetheless.Good, clean family entertainment. Highly recommended. 8.5/10.
A Good Movie
posted on 12 Jun 2007This was a good, clean movie with a great plot which was played pretty well for 99.9% of the time. The scene where the Russian mafia man came to the house to teach a lesson for being double crossed had a few hokey moments in it, but was still pulled off despite them. My impression is that the primary reviewer is not necessarily a Tim Allen fan, and that's alright. I enjoy Tim Allen movies and consider this one of his best ones-a man learns how to take on his responsibility as a father, even though he could have, ultimately, thrown in the towel and just turned his back and walked away from his son. How refreshing to see someone struggle to do the right thing instead of just looking for the easy way out.
Very amusing
posted on 23 Dec 2006Though this movie has some very amusing scenes, what makes it worth watching is the acting talent of Sam Huntington, the adorable little jungle boy, Mimi, as well as Jo Beth Williams and Lolita Davidavich. Even Martin Short's over acting and camera-camping works in one scene. Oh well, Martin seems be having fun even if most of us just find him annoying. This movie is worth maybe a couple of free viewings on the Disney Channel.
THIS MOVIE SUCKS!
posted on 23 Nov 2006Yup, sucks the big one. Because, Tim Allen plays the same kind of character he always plays: a big jerk. Why can't that man ever grow up? Also, it seems like this movie was copied, second by second, from the film "Little Indian, Big City". Why'd they do that?
I was very disappointed when I went to go see this movie. Tim Allen was good in The Santa Clause, but he wasn't in this movie. Just like on Home Improvement, when he's not causing trouble, he's putting down people. Just to let everybody know, Tim Allen will be turning 50 next year, and when that happens, will he still act likethis?
About the movie. Allen finds he has a son in a tribe.Trouble ensues when Allen get's a hold of his poison darts. It's been five years since I've seen this movie so I can't remember much. All I can tell you is, don't see it. Unless you're an obsessed and diehard fan of Tim Allen or Disney pictures. If you're not, get as far away from this movie as possible! Thank you.--
Excellent film, disregard the cynics
posted on 05 Nov 2006Leonard Maltin had it right when he described Jungle 2 Jungle as "the perfect family film". It has the right mix of comedy and plot, with great performances all around. Tim Allen is perfect in the leading role, as he was in "The Santa Clause" and "Galaxy Quest". Here he plays a New York City businessman who is very ego-centric and concerned with work. Naturally, his world is rocked when he discovers that he has a 13-year-old-son, who has been raised in the Venezuelan jungle. What sounds like it could play as dumb fish-out-of-water comedy (like the lame "My Favorite Martian" movie) is actually a smart and extremely funny film. I'm not sure what people who rent this film expect, but so many people who were turned off by this must have had preconceived notions before seeing it. It's a very enjoyable film, great music, great New York and South American scenery, great acting, great all around. I'm glad that Disney is finally releasing this on DVD in October, let's just hope that it's in widescreen and has lots of extras. Great fun for the whole family. One of Disney's best live-action films, and the best movie of 1997. 10/10.
Jungle 2 Jungle
posted on 08 Jul 2006Tim Allen embarrasses himself while his supporting actor, Mimi, shows the audience his wide range of acting skills with go from making a very ugly face to making an even uglier face. Disney completely misses the mark as it wraps up its story of a son looking for acceptance from his father when ultimately the movie comes to its climax when Tim Allen buys his 13 year old son a cigarette lighter. Subplots are commended as they are so ridiculous that they're at least not tired and over used. I would have never thought to throw in a Russian mafia member, but it doesn't make the movie "work" and it certainly doesn't make it any more bearable. Leaving Tim Allen out of it, the most off putting aspect of the movie is the pedophilia-like dress code of the young children coupled with the pre-teen romance.This movie was so bad that Disney didn't even try. This statement is punctuated perfectly with the freeze shot ending. Would not recommend.
Funny!!!!!
posted on 15 Aug 2005Disney came out with this good live action film in 1997. It is called "Jungle 2 Jungle," and this is an updated, American version of a similar French film called "Little Indian, Big City," which was also released here in the states around the time this movie was released.It stars Tim Allen, the man of "Home Improvement," and he worked in the international trade business in New York City. He was asked to fly on down to the Amazon jungles to meet his "son," who I think is called "Mimi-Siku," which has quite a funny meaning to it. He had brought him back to New York and showed his "son" the concrete jungle, as it is known (hey, the same happened in one scene of "George of the Jungle!" About the name, not being there, I mean.)"Jungle 2 Jungle" is one movie that can't be missed!!!!! I've seen this on Disney Channel (old and new) for years now!!!!!10/10
Jungle 2 Jungle
posted on 07 Sep 2004During his success in the sitcom Home Improvement, Tim Allen's only good movie appearance was as Buzz Lightyear in Toy Story, not even The Santa Clause made the biggest impact in Britain, so this was his next attempt, from director John Pasquin (The Santa Clause). Basically Michael Cromwell (Allen) is to be married to his new girlfriend, but first he needs to divorce from his separated wife Patricia (JoBeth Williams), living in Venezuela. So he travels there to settle things, but he instead discovers he has a 13-year-old son, raised by the local tribe and named Mimi-Siku (introducing Not Another Teen Movie's Ox, Sam Huntington). Michael inadvertently makes Mimi a promise to go to the Statue of Liberty, and bring back it's fire (?), so he takes him back with him to New York. What follows is obviously lots of slapstick gags relating to Mimi's upbringing, so peeing in pots, having a pet tarantula, eating weird foods, etc, all making himself or Michael look strange. It takes a while for Michael to get used to having a son, especially with all the background Mimi has, but he is obviously very sad when he has to go back home, but not before giving him the flame of Liberty (a miniature Liberty, a lighter with the torch as the flame, cute), and he does show up back in Venezuela for a little while. Also starring Martin Short as Richard Kempster, Lolita Davidovich as Charlotte, David Ogden Stiers as Alexei Jovanovic, Valerie Mahaffey as Jan Kempster, Leelee Sobieski as Karen Kempster and Frankie J. Galasso as Andrew Kempster. Allen doesn't do too bad, young Huntington adds most of the quite light but still affective jokes, not a bad family film. Worth watching!
Hilarious
posted on 09 Jul 2004I love this movie, which is pretty good considering I hate all things Disney. I was wondering one thing though... Am I the only Short fan reviewing this movie? He was hilarious, this is one of his best. This movie has a cult like following in my family. We quote lines from it at get togethers and act out parts. It's just that good.
- 1
- 2
A truly enjoyable film
posted on 15 Mar 2009I've seen this movie twice now, and I loved it both times. Tim Allen is wonderful. Sam Huntington is touching and very real as Mimi-Siku, Martin Short is hilarious, and Leelee Sobieski, who I've always admired immensely, is adorable. I must admit I thought this movie would be fluffy when I first saw the trailers, but I'm pleased to say I was wrong. A great family movie, 10 out of 10!