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Lives it up to my expectations as a Disney sequel

The Jungle Book 2 is a typical Disney sequel, the graphics are not so well done as in the first one and the plot is full of cliches and totally predictable.This movie is obviously directed for kids , but the fans might like it too. I myself was never a big fan of Mowgli, nor Disney Sequels, and it was ok for me.5/10

Pretty good stuff... too short

I was pretty entertained by this sequel. What I found most impressive was the excellent voice-over work. I have gone back and checked what the deal was and found it very interesting that both the Winnie the Pooh crews (new and old) were very much involved in the Jungle Books.Kaa the snake was my main interest, being done by the same voice over guy who now does Winnie the Pooh (Jim Cummings). Just as the original Kaa the snake, Sterling Holloway, was also the same guy who did the original Winnie voice .The other was the Black Panther, Bageera, originally done by Mr. French of Family Affair, the great Sebastian Cabot... now being done so well by Bob Joles who also narrates the Winnie series these days, just as Mr Cabot did in his day. Haley Joel Osment did a fantastic job of being Mowgli as well. John Goodman... good I guess... but the original Phil Harris just had that fluid jazz scat thing DOWN. So Baloo just isnt as cool as he used to be. No offense John, I seriously can't think of anyone who could have done better. But sometimes greatness is just great, and can't be duplicated. Nice try though.Sure the story wasn't really all that rivoting, the animation wasn't as full or rich in color. And no King Louis, but then again... the elephant marching army and the Beatles Buzzards were so great and are back again.Jungle Book was a great classic, certainly my favorite of all Disney animations... but Jungle Book 2 is certainly worth seeing for the next bunch of little guys who need that Disney fix.I have to agree with another critic in here... they should have spent a little more time and added a few more minutes of something. 70 minutes... and 15 of it in shadow puppet credits... stop short changing the Disney legacy with trying to reissue a cheaper version of the actual foundation that Disney was built on. Walt is shedding a few tears where ever he is.(actually I guess he sheds ice cubes, isn't he frozen somewhere?) Eisner, get with the program already.

Refreshingly good sequel

From the outset, let me say that I went along to this with very low expectations. However, I was very pleasantly surprised, not only by the score, which, after the slight disappointment of Return to Neverland having firmly anchored their soundtrack circa 2000, was really authentic to the original film. A big surprise for me was the addition of John Goodman, who turned out to perfectly cast and Haley Joel Osment (as usual, great). There are also some nice touches - a parody on the Beatles and the animation is perfect, as you'd expect. Don't listen to the critics - this is an excellent film, worth every penny. A word of caution though, children around 5 and under may find Shere Khan very scary!!!

Great for the youngsters

This movie is tops for the younger movie goers. It sure beats a lot of movies out there for kids. It gives the children a time that they can use their imaginations and fumble threw the story along with Mowgli. It brings me back to when I was a child and saw BALOO for the first time. I don't think my son had laughed so much at a movie. It made me feel great to see him have so much fun and the best part.....we could do it together. Something he will remember for years to come. Just like the memories I have with my dad from so many years ago. Thanks to Disney for giving us these types of movies for the kids and a chance to spend some time with the kids at their level. Inocent fun. And that's what it is fun.

your inner kid

This one is mostly for your inner little kid. If you saw the first movie, and is going to watch this one mainly to compare them, my advice is to stay at home. Really. This film is not to be taken seriously, unless taking all movies seriously is your only idea of having fun. If so, then by all means get ready to criticize and go see it at once!

No more Direct-to-video movies

If you are going to make a movie, do it right. This effort is an embarassment to the wonderful Jungle Book. It has fine actors, so they are not to blame. They just don't have a movie to make, or a story to tell.

Walt said it best, 'You have to tell a story. Without a story, there is no reason to do anything else.'

I can't believe this.

I can't believe Disney had the gall to do this. I am judging the concept only, as I have not seen the movie (I don't even think it's ouy yet). This won't even SOUND similar to the first! Just look at those big names for the voiceovers. I'm sorry, but I really don't think John Goodman can fill Phil Harris' shoes when it comes to the voice of Baloo.
There actually was a second jungle book by Rudyard Kipling, but judging by what I see on the promotional poster, this will have nothing to do with it. I liked the original Jungle Book movie by Disney, even though it was not faithful to Kipling's tales (which are beyond compare). Disney's lust for money from sequels is just going too far.

my son love this movie

My 2 1/2 year old son loves this movie. He dances and sings (and marches) with all the songs, and he loves the little boy. If you, as an adult, remember the original and are going to be annoyed about different voices, songs, etc., by all means, skip this one! But your kids will be missing out on a cute, fun movie. (To my son, this is an original!)

My kids love it, and so do I!

I'll admit that I was hesitant to buy this one, mostly because I'd read bad reviews of it. Boy, am I glad I did. My kids absolutely love this movie, and I like it even better than the original Jungle Book. They cast the perfect actors to do the voices, especially John Goodman, who does a wonderful job as Baloo. Also, to be perfectly honest, I like the story line of this movie better than that of the original; I think it appeals to kids more. If you've been thinking about trying Jungle Book 2, I definitely recommend buying a copy soon, before it goes back in the Disney vault! You won't be sorry.

A good sequel

I wasn't sure what to expect from this movie when I found out that this movie was coming out. I decided to read reviews about this movie, but the reviews weren't any help, so I decided to watch the movie for myself. When I watched the movie, I thought that the movie was a good movie, and I would recommend it to anyone who is a fan of Disney movies.

This Is the Best Sequel Of A Disney Classic

I've just seen the private screening of "The Jungle Book 2" and i laughed, and at the same time enjoyed it i think the children from 1-8 years old are gonna love it and hope that they make it #1 and the voices of the character sound like the original characters and Haley Joel Osment (Sixth Sense) does a great job as Mowgli and John Goodman (Roseanne) does a hilarious job as Baloo and you will love your old favorite characters as Shere Khan, Bagheera, Baloo, Mowgli,etc and also new characters if you don't like it well i think your children are gonna have an exciting time in the movies...

Pleasing sequel to classic original

Some of the reviews here appear abit premature (the last couple I read were from people who hadn't even seen the movie--they judged it from the trailer!). In many respects Jungle Book 2 could, on the surface, look like a cash-in similar to the Peter Pan sequel Return to Neverland (that film had been planned as a direct-to-video release originally but turned out looking so good that it was released theatrically). That's hardly the case with Jungle Book 2.

The animation uses many of the design elements from the original film and incorporates some nice computer generated imagery as well. It's a bit surprising that folks expect the voices of the original actors. The original Jungle Book was released in 1967 (if memory serves) and all the original actors have been dead for quite some time.

The voice casting for the sequel is quite good. Haley Joel Osmond (A.I., The Sixth Sense)makes a fine Mowogli and John Goodman as Baloo captures his character perfectly without imitating the late Phil Harris. Equally good are Jim Cummings (in dual roles as both Col Hathi and the snake...whose name escapes me at the moment. Cummings also is the present day voice for Winnie The Pooh). Bob Joles manages to recall Sebastian Cabot in his portrayal of Bagheera. It's a pity his character isn't more central to the story like in the original. Phil Collins steps in as Lucky a new Vulture to torture Sheer Khan with bad puns, jokes and timing. It's ironic that Collins plays the role as the quartet of vultures from the original film were caricatures of The Beatles.

The script is both witty and the pacing swift. Children won't get bored and, yes, adults just might be entertained. Jungle Book 2 isn't a sequel as much of an update of the original film with more contemporary references. The conflict is once again between Mowgli and Shere Khan; Shere Kahn has returned to the jungle looking for revenge against the man cub. Baloo (brilliantly played by John Goodman)is bored out of his mind and rushes out to find Mowgoli again as he misses his buddy. Mowogli takes to the jungle again with Baloo when Shanti (the little girl who tempted Mowogli into the man village in the first place)alerts the town to Baloo's presence. She believes Baloo to be a dangerous wild animal. At the same time Shere Kahn has entered the village looking for Mowogli and is attacked by the villagers who believe he is the wild animal Shanti alerted them to.

Shanti, feeling guilty for her treatment of her best friend Mowogli, goes in search of Mowogli. In the process, she becomes lost in the jungle but proves she's every bit as tough as Mowogli. The film rushes to a showdown between Shere Kahn, Baloo Mowogli and Shanti in the city of ruins.

The songs are engaging (and, yes, a number of classic songs turn up again slightly jazzed up for modern audiences. These classics manage to retain their flair and charm despite the passage of 35 years). The fluid animation, acting and witty script are not captured very well in the trailer that played late last year and early this year. The Jungle Book 2 is every bit a worthy sequel to the original. While it doesn't quite live up to the original film's spectacle and songs, it recaptures much of the fun of the first film without pandering to its audience.

My children were captivated by the film and I found it enjoyable as well. I have to admit I had my doubts but this fine production quickly won me over. It's definitely worth a visit to the theater to catch.

Has Kid Appeal

This rating is based on my kids' (four and two) perspectives. They love it--especially the four-year-old. To me, however, this film is lacking that "Disney Magic." In fact, it smacks of direct-to-video release material. I can't believe this actually appeared in theaters.

It's interesting that some reviewers comment on the lack of plot. The original JB plot is lacking, as well. Get the boy out of the jungle and to the man-village to escape Shere Khan. That lack of plot in both films, however, magnifies the difference between the two. JB1, interestingly, is the first Disney film where the actors actually played a part in the development of the characters. Phil Harris IS Baloo. Same goes for Louis Prima (King Louie), Sebastian Cabot (Bagheera), George Sanders (Shere Khan) and Sterling Holloway (Kaa).

How can John Goodman, et al, compete? In most instances, they cannot. Goodman was awesome in Monsters, Inc., but here his performance seems lackluster and uninspired. Same goes for most (but not all) of the other characters.

It is interesting to note that Jim Cummings who provides Kaa's voice in JB2 also is the "modern voice" of Pooh. And, that Sterling Holloway who provided Kaa's voice in JB1 was the "original voice" of Pooh. Cummings does a good job as Kaa in JB2.

Overall, there was no way for Disney to satisfy us adults, who grew up on the original JB (and like me who recently shelled out big bucks to get the original on DVD), but it does work on the kids' level. And, that's what matters in my book.

Dissappointed

I know shipping the product has a time set on it. But I was very surprise how long it took. I have ordered several merchandise from amazon and this was the longest delivery. It kind of makes you think the product was not being sent. I was more shocked in the condition it came in. DVD was very dirty and smudgy.

Why did this happen?!

I love the 1st Jungle Book and watch it frequently. I definatly did NOT want them to make a Jungle Book 2. You can't just pin a sequel on a classic movie made nearly 40 years before! (They did that to Peter Pan and that movie was very stupid.) Well anyways, I saw the commercial and the voices aren't the same and the animation is DEFINATELY not the same. I'd personally just settle for the 1st Jungle Book re-release. I will probably see this when it comes to DVD because I like the 1st one so much, but I have pretty low expectations.

I enjoyed it...

I've read a few comments about "The Jungle Book 2" and some of them are way to critical. This was a disney movie, not the lastest Stephen Spielberg masterpiece. The movie was light-hearted and fun. I saw the movie with my nephew and we both enjoyed it. I would recommend it for just a fun, light movie! A+ Enjoy

Enjoyable but not memorable

Note: The review that follows is of the Special Edition of a film first released in 2003.

Comparisons with the earlier version released 41 years ago (featuring the voices of Phil Harris, Sebastian Cabot, Louis Prima, George Sanders, and Sterling Holloway among others) are inevitable and perhaps unfair. As I began to watch this sequel, I tried very hard to experience it and then judge it on its own merits. All issues considered, my rating of it is explained as follows: I think it offers pleasant but unexceptional entertainment (Three Stars) and several bonus features that add one Star to my rating.


My guess is that, in general, adults enjoy the special features (other than interactive games such as "Mowgli's Jungle Ruins Maze") more than children do. In the sequel, the plot remains faithful to the beloved Rudyard Kipling novel, this time featuring the voices of John Goodman, Haley Joel Osment, Mae Whitman, and Jim Cummings. Phil Collins provided the voice of Lucky. I watched this film with several of my younger grandchildren, none of whom had seen the 1967 version. Unlike their parents and grandparents, they and other children ages 4-14 seem to think nothing of watching a film they like several times either in a theatre or a DVD of it, whether or not it is a sequel.


Although a sequel offering solid entertainment to "children of all ages," I doubt if it will not have the same enduring appeal from one generation to the next as do other feature length animated films produced by Disney (e.g. Bambi, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Pinocchio, and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) and Pixar (e.g. Finding Nemo, Ratatouille, Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and WALL-E) nor by DreamWorks (e.g. Antz and Shrek). I agree with my grandchildren: it was fun to watch but generates no interest in seeing it again soon. It must join a long line ahead of it.

One of my favourite sequels!

Genre: Cartoon, sequel of "The Jungle Book", Family.Main characters: Mowgli, Shanti, Ranjan and Baloo. I like these characters and I feel rather a lot for them.What happens: Mowgli now lives in the man-village with a mother and father and their boy Ranjan. He often sees Shanti, the girl in the village that made him come. In the jungle, there are two things that would like Mowgli to come back – in two ways…My thoughts: Even though this is babyish, it isn't all that similar to the book and the wolves aren't in it – I prefer this to the original film! :O It is probably my favourite Disney sequel, for a number of slight reasons. One: I like the new main characters. Two: I LOVE John Goodman as Baloo! I also like Phil Harris as Baloo of course. Baloo's character just SO fits John's voice for me. Three: Mowgli is kinder in this than in the first film (usually), about as kind as he is in the book. Four: Kin Louie's not in it – PHEW! Good reference to the books there – King Louie WAS NOT in them!! Five: This is less grumpy than the original. I found the original spooky and upsetting because it was all UN HAPPY. This one is much more cheerful. Six: Phil Collins is in this as a new edition to the group of vultures!|! ? One problem that I've had (for a long time) with the vultures is that they are not in the book. Luckily they're based on the Beatles and I LOVE the Beatles!So I like this sequel a lot! The only things I don't like about it is that it is rather babyish and the plot could have been changed slightly to make it more similar to those books.Recommended to: People who like sequels, people who do not like the first film very much AT ALL and families with children under 18 or the like. Enjoy!! ?

Jungle Book 2

This is a good movie but it could have been a little better. Very enjoyable; I liked the music (Jungle Rhythm) Haley Joel Osment (The Sixth Sense) plays a good Mowgli and Mae Whitman (ABC Family's State of Grace) does an excellent job as Shanti.

'Jungle Book 2' DVD (Walt Disney Studios)

Can the Walt Disney people still assemble a good animated movie or what?I've just recently even become aware of this sequel to the 1967(was it?)original.Well,THAT movie will always have a special place in my heart as I remember seeing it when it first came out when I was,like ten.The 'Jungle Book 2',I thought had a real good storyline and production.Most of the beloved jungle characters return here,like Baloo,Bagheera,Kaa,Sonny(the baby elephant),Shere Khan and the two vultures(did they even have names?).The animation is(as always,of course)top rate.My two favorite scenes were where Mowgli and Baloo step over to King Louie's temple to join everyone else for a memorable dance number while there were animals strutting their stuff on EVERY square inch of the temple's foundation and the dramatic/eerie scene where Mowgli,the girl and Baloo try to draw Shere Khan away by secretly banging on the temple's ancient gongs and the tiger ends up being trapped...(you'd have to see the movie yourself).Their remake of "The Bare Necessities" was good.A movie that the whole family could enjoy on especially a rainy night.By the way,whatever happened to King Louie?