When I heard the news that Disney was creating a live-action version of “The Jungle Book,” I was a little concerned.

    I didn’t want the classic film I had grown up with to be tarnished in anyway. The cartoon movie that had always been a part of my childhood was close to my heart, and I remember distinct memories of myself smiling at the sweet relationship between Mowgli and Baloo. And, gladly, I found myself smiling at this new film just the same.

    Jon Favreau’s reimagining of “The Jungle Book “was moving, beautiful and fun. It follows the same story as the original movie, with differences here and there to cater to a new audience. The characters I had first fell in love with, such as Bhageera, Kaa and Shere Khan, were all back. The film was stunning to watch, with CGI creating a truly immersive environment that made me feel as if I was walking through the Indian wilderness. No detail was left from the film, with every single leaf, minute fur and speck of dirt clearly defined. While some of the scenes did look a little fake, the majority of the movie had me guessing what was real or false.

    The animals were brilliantly realized, and the voice actors of the film perfectly fit each creature’s personality. While Shere Khan (Idris Elba), Bhageera (Ben Kingsley) and Akila (Giancarlo Esposito) were all wonderful characters, the two beasts who stole the movie were Bill Murray’s Baloo and Christopher Walken’s King Louie. Baloo and King Louie sang, danced, and made me grin whenever they were on screen. The classic songs of “Bear Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You” valiantly return, and are given new twists that are pleasing to listen to.    

    Some problems arose with the movie when it came to story, though.

    A few moments in the movie seemed sporadic, underdeveloped and random. The ending of the movie didn’t hit it off for me, due to it feeling very similar to plot points in other films and TV shows. Most of the characters in the film are done justice, but others from the original 1967 film were completely left out and their presences were missed. Unexplainably, King Louie takes a strange turn for the worse in the film, becoming a creature that would scare some children.

    Despite these flaws, “The Jungle Book” was an entertaining film. The nostalgia factor alone should draw in all age groups, ranging from elementary school students elderly adults. Touching and gorgeous, Disney’s “The Jungle Book” holds its own with the cartoon classic, and will definitely make you smile that same smile you did years ago. 7/10

    • Shahmeer Hashmat is a senior at Lamar High School.