Heading into the screening for Disney’s updated take on The Jungle Book, I felt like an outcast because I hadn’t seen the original. It turns out; I wasn’t alone, and after all this time people still haven’t experienced the tales of Mowgli and Baloo.
When Disney releases anything we know there must be a ton of lessons and morals in store for us. From the beginning of the film it’s apparent that Mowgli doesn’t fit in, and some animals aren’t afraid to tell him that. Further, into the story Mowgli eventually figures out where he belongs, regardless of what everyone thinks.
Being the only human in the jungle, not only is he feared, but his bright ideas are suppressed and referred to as “tricks.” I can see why Mowgli easily befriends Baloo, not only because he provides him with protection, but he also encourages his ideas. I can relate because my parents didn’t support my ideas, so I befriended a mountain lion (where’s my story, Hollywood )?
So now that we’ve touched base on what exactly Mowgli is going through let’s go over what you and your family can learn.
Here’s 3 Lessons From Disney The Jungle Book.
Families Come In All Shapes And Sizes: Growing up in an interracial family, this was the very first thing I can relate to in Mowgli’s story. Even though it was severely unnatural for any pack to take in someone who isn’t their own, let alone a human, the pack of wolves still defended and adored Mowgli despite his differences. Although the rest of the jungle is urging him to find a new home, he knows home is where you’re happy and loved. Growing up with an African American mom and an Italian father, people didn’t understand my culture or beliefs, and it was very simple to comprehend. One, I had soul food and spaghetti for dinner, and two I listened to alternative rock and hip hop, what’s so hard to understand? In the midst of it all, my parents told me that I’m nobody but myself, and that’s the same way Mowgli’s family treated him.
Growing up with an African American mom and an Italian father, people didn’t understand my culture or beliefs, and it was very simple to comprehend. One, I had soul food and spaghetti for dinner. Two, I listened to alternative rock and hip hop. What’s so hard to understand? In the midst of it all, my parents told me that I’m nobody but myself, and that’s the same way Mowgli’s family treated him.
It’s Okay To Be Different: Even though Mowgli may just be a “man-cub”, he’s clearly more intelligent than the rest of the jungle. Early on, we’re accustomed to Mowgli’s craftiness and immediately he’s shut down by his pack leader. Regardless of the fact that his tools and crafts are his best way of survival, everyone prefers he’d act like the rest of the wolfpack.
I think this speaks on the bullying and alienation of kids going on in schools today. It’s common for kids to be afraid to express themselves or be creative because of how people will judge them and or shut them down. However, by the end of the film we see, Mowgli becomes more confident in using his intellect and creativity to his advantage regardless of what the boar-toothed animals think, which is very encouraging.
Surround Yourself By The People Who Bring Out The Best In You: The media heavily manipulates our youth’s way of thinking. In the Jungle Book, Baloo is the very first to inspire Mowgli to be himself and let his creativity flow, which then enables Mowgli to do what’s best for his tribe.
Until Next Time
JJ King
The Jungle Book is a must see for you and your family, it presented bar raising CGI. To me, the best way to experience this movie is in Imax or 3D because the visual effects made up half of my family’s enjoyment. I’m not kidding you guys; the CGI is killer. Furthermore, the fact that the child who played Mowgli did all of the actings in front of a green screen. Ben Kingsley and Bill Murray also played their parts well. I was a little disappointed in Scarlet Johannson’s lack of screen time, despite her name being all over the credits. However, for the amount of time, Scar Jo did have to perform she knocked it out of the park. And lastly, the story telling itself was classic and is sure to become a household tale for the second time. I encourage you all to make a family night out of it, see the movie and then take a pizza home.
Leave a Reply