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25 of 27 found the following review helpful:
 Pleasing sequel to classic originalFeb 17, 2003
By WTDK
"If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.-Albert Einstein"
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.
21 of 23 found the following review helpful:
 OK, another sequel by DisneyFeb 15, 2003
By Freedom4u
"freedom4u"
When I wrote these lines, there were 4 reviews on Amazon.com. None of the reviewers seemed to have seen the movie. - Well, I have seen it with my 2 1/2 year old son. I also know Disney's first Jungle Book movie. Now here is what I think: This movie is fine for kids. They will have fun. There are no scenes that I think are too scary for small children. My son was doing fine. He enjoyed the song and dance scenes a lot and I think this is why most people like the first movie. Since the "Bear Necessities" is such a great song, it is played about three times (make your own thoughts about that). So, if you want your kids to have a good day at the movies, send them to this one. From an adult point of view I must say that the story is not very exciting. Don't forget, this is a Disney sequel again. Disney used to release their sequels only on video and DVD (e.g. Pocahontas 2, Arielle 2, etc.). But lately they think that they should show them in movie theaters. It's too bad that Disney tries to warm up successful stories. If you don't have kids that you want to take to the movies, don't watch this one unless you go into the theater not expecting too much. The movie is not bad but it's just not as great as the guys at Disney think it should be. My top 3 Disney animated movies are:
1. Aladdin (just fabulous!!!!!)
2. The Beauty and the Beast
3. The Little Mermaid
(This list does not include the computer animated movies, of course.)
8 of 9 found the following review helpful:
 No more Direct-to-video moviesOct 04, 2003
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.'
5 of 5 found the following review helpful:
Kids will dig it, Adults will hate itJul 21, 2003
By Clint E Thomsen
A die-hard Disney fan, I grew up with the original Jungle Book. The music, the voices, and the animation entrenched themselves so deeply into my psyche that no sequel could have done the original justice. The producers of this one must have understood that there are many like myself. So instead of tackling the challenge of producing a film to rival Walt's original masterpiece, Disney took the easy road. The result is no more than a delightly animated saturday morning kids cartoon that will keep a kid busy for an hour but will leave their parents rather frustrated. If you're looking for a tribute to- or even a continuation of- the original Jungle Book, you won't find it in this film. First let me tell you what I liked about the movie: The animation is great! In this aspect (and this aspect only) the producers have replicated and improved on the animation of the first. The jungle is enchanting as ever, the leaves greener. Also brilliant is the voice of Jim Cummings as Kaa and Col. Hathi. Non voice-buffs will never be able to tell the difference between Cummings and the legendary Sterling Holloway of the original. I have never seen a voice duplicated so well. Cummings himself has cut himself out to be a modern Disney classic. But other than those two things, JB2, however nicely animated, is a case of misguided nostalgia. Either the writers have never seen the original JB, or they have completely ignored its story. While my 2-yr-old is bedazzled by the dancing animals, I scratch my head as the list of inconsistancies gets longer and longer. We are told by one of the producers in a bonus feature on the DVD that JB2 takes place just 5 days after the original ends. How then, after living 8 years in the jungle with animals, has Mowgli completely adapted to human life? I mean, they could have cut out 2 minutes of the dancing animals and explained to me how Mowgli learned the man language just 5 days after meeting a human for the first time. Keep in mind also that Mowgli would have known Baloo for a measely couple days- yet in risking his life to re-enter the jungle, he has no desire whatsoever to revisit the pack of wolves that protected and raised him in the jungle for 8 years. Also frustrating is the utter lack of musical creativity. I counted 2 original songs here- Osment's butchering of the lackluster "Jungle Rhythm," and the song the animals dance to at King Louie's (who, mysteriously, doesn't bother to make an appearance in this sequel). You'd think that in the 36 years that separate these films, the folks at Disney might be able to come up with some decent music. Nah, Disney's musical genius has been lagging behind for several years now, and JB2 is living proof. My last beef with this movie- John Goodman as Baloo. Ok, I know he did a great job as Sully on Monsters, Inc., but he doesn't hold a candle to the brilliance of Phil Harris. Not that anybody could, but you think with their pool of talent they could at least come close. Goodman has talent, yes. Unfortunately it's not in cartoon voicing or singing. Goodman seems lost with Baloo; the character completely eludes him. This could be because he was the wrong voice for the character. Ed Gilbert, who voiced Baloo in the "Tail Spin" cartoon, could have done a whole lot better. Bottom line: Rent it for your kid, but be ready to cringe. Another awful Disney sequel.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
Still fun for all ages on DVDJun 15, 2003
By WTDK
"If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it.-Albert Einstein"
While Jungle Book 2 isn't in the same league as the original, it's a pleasantly surprising sequel. Why pleasantly surprising? Well, the writing, animation and production values are all quite good and consistent with the stuff we've seen in the more cutting edge Disney vehicles. The voice casting is quite good as well; the actors chosen don't imitate so much as reinterpret the roles. Songs in Disney movies have been a problem since the death of Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Aladdin). Ashman was the consumate lyricist--his witty, informed lyrics never sounded forced. Tim Rice's lyrics for the Elton John penned Lion King music came close on occasion (as did Rice's single contribution to Aladdin). While Rice isn't quite in the same league as Ashman, his words would have made these songs better. The music doesn't sound as recycled and second hand as the direct-to-video material for Aladdin and the 40 Thieves. They also don't have the freshness that the Sherman brothers or any number of other composers might have brought to the project. While Randy Newman's material might have sounded out of place here, I could see Lyle Lovett coming up with material (please, no more Phil Collins or Sting stuff). The DVD has some nice extras including a brief recap of the original film. The DVD I purchased came without a booklet (or even an insert with chapter listings). If Disney is getting this cheap about issuing their material on DVD, I'll be reluctant to purchase other Disney films. I find these inserts useful for the kids. I also enjoy the artwork, too. Jungle Book 2 is an enjoyable sequel to the classic original. While it lacks the distinctive feel of the original, it makes for it with a more contemporary pace and character interactions. It's a nice addition to any Disney collection and enjoyable and appropriate for the whole family.
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