Cast: Neel Sethi, Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley,Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong'o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, Christopher Walken.

Direction: Jon Favreau.

Produced: Jon Favreau, Brigham Taylor.

Written: Justin Marks

Genre: Animation.

Duration: 105 Mins*

The visual splendour of the Disney classic comes alive in a modern reboot without the comic flair of the original. In the remake, The Jungle Book is visually exquisite but with a darker edge in a bid to appeal to the now-adult audience of the earlier film.

Mowli is played by Neel Sethi, with a lot of sass but without the endearing innocence of the animated "man-cub". Even the foliage changes with the mood, beginning with the sun-kissed domain of the wolf pack, the sooty insides of King Louie's temple or the final encounter with Shere Khan (Idris Elba, with an incredible timbre).

If the 1967 classic was simply a journey of Mowgli making friends and making his way to the man-village, this version touches upon more layered themes of man's relationship with nature, segregation and the feeling of true belonging despite non-conformist ways. These themes linger in the film as the story meanders between one hectic parkour sequence after another.

Shere Khan's animosity with Mowgli is given a darker edge by tying their backstory through Mowgli's father, who is responsible for scarring and blinding the tiger with fire in self-defence. It gives some depth to his hatred for humans, whom he perceives as trouble-making arsonists (fire is called the Red Flower in this movie). This necessary exposition is given by Kaa (Scarlett Johansson), who is more seductive than hilariously hypnotic this time around.

The Jungle Book is a great re-introduction for a much younger audience. For the older audience, it banks on nostalgia value. Mowgli's adventures seem episodic in nature but at least there is something for everyone in the audience. It may follow the basic structure of the earlier film but sticks to a darker yet different climax.

The film certainly has an excellent voice cast backing it up. Bill Murray for Baloo is an excellent fit in particular. He is the reason the film perks up at key intervals and lends a lot of heart to what is a premise of constant peril. The animation of all the animals is never once out of place against the human protagonist. It adds to the immersion.

The Jungle Book is your money's worth in 3D and for the children. Those not dazzled by the picture perfect frames will find little by way of plot to fall back upon.