The Jungle Book

Nostalgic escapism to the max. Two thirds pure pleasure from the creation of the world and a return to the values that defined me as a child, the last third a bit inevitable recognition that Favreau is not a magician, and if his cards are shuffled well, he simply plays a dignified game. Technically, it is without debate amazing, whilst the construction and gradation are slightly uncertain. But a few moments are not worthy of true emotion. (01/05/2016)

This year the animals rule!! From the opening minutes, The Jungle Book took my breath away with intensity and nostalgia so much that if I hadn't swallowed all the pills on the table, I would probably be dead. This is literally and to the letter a fairytale orgasm! If someone had told me at the beginning of the year that the villain of the year would be a tiger, I would have laughed it off with gusto, and today I would be tapping my forehead because what Sher Khan did here for an animalistic, dominant and superior performance, hats off to him, my respect was as high as ever, and that's not even mentioning the other evil that can lurk in the Jungle, it's just never safe there. The Jungle Book is also very informative, visually breathtaking, at times you don't know if you are looking at the real world or the digital world even though you know it is all digital; the animals are look amazing, they have great characters and I believe that this is how it works in real life. I must also praise the very intense pace, the tension builds up by the minute and so do the emotions – I found myself in tears twice and after each scene with the elephants. I put the film in the top list and this year it will definitely defend the top positions, I haven't had such an experience from a film in a long time. The film has only one fault and that is that it is not an hour longer. 150%. (10/08/2016)

You watch this technological marvel and the thought flies through your mind that "The future is now" and the reassurance of the significance of the giant leap forward filmmakers have made in the development of CGI animation and effects of the last two decades, something that filmmakers in the "pre-Jurassic" period could only dream of. This is undoubtedly the pinnacle of contemporary Hollywood's technical capabilities, and I can smell some technical Oscars. And please, I write this as a viewer who’s not at all fond of the digital coloring books that abound in movies today and prefers practical effects. But here there are no digital orgies that would look out of place, everything looks very believable and alive. When I realize that all the natural surroundings were created in a computer, it just blows my mind. The experience is enhanced by the wonderful book, and if its story teaches at least a few child viewers to love animals, this film is worthwhile. (30/09/2016)

If they can’t do it through the comics, they will do it with visually impressive animal almost-animated adventures? No way. That's where the cool vibe of the book is. There's a lot of frolicking, and if it weren't for all the technical niceties and the incredibly elaborate digital animation of the animals, it would hardly be mediocre, because the few witty comments can't save the hugely short, desperately underwrought story and uneven pacing. Avatar remains unsurpassed in technical opulence and the effort here was felt all the way across the screen! (02/05/2016)

The 1967 animated film was more entertaining, but this is such a visually bombastic and convincing adaptation of Kipling's novel that it has given it readership and an audience sheen for years to come. There are no emotional fireworks and Favreau orchestrates the narrative concept on the levels of a safe family flick, but the amazing CGI at times perhaps surpasses anything we've seen so far, the unconventionality and majesty of the setting and characters radiate from every frame, and the fantastic original voice acting is the cherry on top. It's been a long time since I was so sorry I missed a movie at the cinema. (21/06/2016)