Rating: 
Summary: No more Direct-to-video movies
Review: 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.'
Rating: 
Summary: My kids love it, and so do I!
Review: If you haven't seen this, do yourself a favor and don't. I refuse to even buy it for my daughter, lest she possibly become instilled with poor taste. I was so upset after wasting money on it at the theatre that I wrote a nasty letter to my local newspaper for recommending it. Sequel's rarely exceed the original, but in this case that still left plenty of room for a good film. However this sequel is actually so bad that it pollutes the memory of the great original film. If Walt were alive this would surely make him sick to his stomach. Disney does a great job at snuffing out bad press but the smell of this one is so great they will certainly need to bury it...
Rating: 
Summary: Leaves A Bad Taste in Your Mouth
Review: If you haven't seen this, do yourself a favor and don't. I refuse to even buy it for my daughter, lest she possibly become instilled with poor taste. I was so upset after wasting money on it at the theatre that I wrote a nasty letter to my local newspaper for recommending it. Sequel's rarely exceed the original, but in this case that still left plenty of room for a good film. However this sequel is actually so bad that it pollutes the memory of the great original film. If Walt were alive this would surely make him sick to his stomach. Disney does a great job at snuffing out bad press but the smell of this one is so great they will certainly need to bury it...
Rating:
Summary: Not even close!
Review: Jungle Book 2 did not even come close to the first. You don't remember the songs when you walk out of the theatre either. It was a disappointment. Sher Khan was not supercilious, just mean in this one. Baloo was not as adorable as in the first. Bagheera was an "extra" in this one!! Mowgli was not as fearless as in the first one either! The characters had the same names, but were not the same. But "Ranjan" (the little kid) was cute though.
Rating: 
Summary: my son love this movie
Review: 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!)
Rating:
Summary: Not really that bad of a Disney sequal!
Review: My parents bought this DVD for my 2 year old nephew as soon as it came out because he loved it in the movie theatre, so I sat down with him to watch it, not expecting much from a Disney sequal. I was pleasantly surprised because it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I figured that the original Jungle Book was a classic and should not be ruined with a badly done sequal, and I still believe that. But it wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Excluding Baloo and Mowgli, the voices were surprisingly close to the originals. Not that the voicing of Baloo (John Goodman) and Mowgli (Haley Joel Osment) was bad, it just didn't sound like the originals. Haley Joel Osment did a fabulous job with the voicing, putting a lot of expression into his voice acting. That boy sure does have some talent! I couldn't help imagining Mowgli laying in the Jungle leaves, telling Baloo, "I see dead people!" (Haha a little humour there because he played the kid in the Sixth Sense, hahahaha ok it wasn't funny). The music wasn't really creative or witty, but it was okay. I found the "beat of the jungle" song to be a bit unnerving, but hey, my nephew liked it. They sing the "Bear necessities" song about three times in this movie, and I guess that's because it's a good song. There is some humor in the movie, like when Baloo is trying to sneak off to the village to get his singing buddy back and Begeera gets the elephants to help him stop Baloo in the river. The plot is great for children but slightly boring for adults. The animation is okay- it's not as good as in the original, and they put a modern twist on the characters to make them sort of pop out more. All in all it wasn't that bad of a movie. It's not The Jungle Book, but it's not bad, either!
Rating: 
Summary: "Isn't it ironic that your name is 'Lucky'?"
Review: One of the best Disney "obligatory" sequels. Nice continuity. It looks and sounds good. John Goodman and the rest of the new voice-cast do a decent job. The songs are so-so, catchy for kids. Plus, the plot is basically harmless. Nothing politically correct nor is it a guilt trip. The movie just tries to entertain the small fry, and it does it very well as my kids have made me sit through this movie no less than 30 times. Not to be overlooked, but nothing to scream about, either...
Rating:
Summary: "Isn't it ironic that your name is 'Lucky'?"
Review: One of the best Disney "obligatory" sequels. Nice continuity. It looks and sounds good. John Goodman and the rest of the new voice-cast do a decent job. The songs are so-so, catchy for kids. Plus, the plot is basically harmless. Nothing politically correct nor is it a guilt trip. The movie just tries to entertain the small fry, and it does it very well as my kids have made me sit through this movie no less than 30 times. Not to be overlooked, but nothing to scream about, either...
Rating:
Summary: Great Sequel for Family Viewing
Review: Our family thoroughly enjoyed watching this movie! It was highly approriate for very young children as well as entertaining...not just for the little ones, but for the parents who sat and watched beside them. The animation and music are extremely well done, and the story line is easy to follow and understand for children. Shanti, the new girl character, exhibits a strong side in showing persistence and dedication to finding her friend Mowgli when he is supposedly lost in the jungle. The little boy, Raji (sp?) is hilarious and is representative of many sweet and adventurous little 3 year olds. We are so glad to have this movie as part of our sparse DVD collection. Hopefully, we can find the soundtrack because the music is so enjoyable! It's a great movie, and don't let the comparisons to the original stop you from purchasing this well done sequel.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasing sequel to classic original
Review: 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.
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