When this Grandmother was raising children, the Jungle Book movie, released in 1967, was a favorite. It is now considered a classic. We loved the music and played the recording of it. Yes, on vinyl. The topics were those a mother could embrace, friendship and family. On Common Sense Media, a favorite source of movie, video and book reviews for this Grandma, you can find why it is considered such a classic. I did not remember the scary scene mentioned in the review, the final battle between Baloo, the bear, and Shere Khan, the tiger, in the classic. But, as a former educator, I did not think then that the movie was inappropriate for preschoolers. Common Sense Media gives it five stars and says ages 4+.
Sure enough, at an extended family gathering, the discussion was comparing the Disney classic 1967 Jungle Book version to the recently released Disney version. The original animated cartoon version is still available on Amazon, and still a number one best seller there, found here.
The 2016 new Disney version is also reviewed on Common Sense Media.
It is given four stars and says ages 9+. The commentary is troubling. When discussing the quality of the movie, Common Sense Media mentions that the graphics are “visually stunning” and they are. It is hard to tell what is real to what is animated. The two songs seem misplaced and this movie is live action, not a musical as is the classic Jungle Book.
Other reviews appear on the website, including a section by parents and children. Interestingly, the children reviewers also say 9+ but the parent reviewers say 8+. The movie release is number one in the box office for the first three weeks of the run, to the writing of this post, and is being shown in the United States and abroad.
So, back to our extended family discussion. The parents of a three year old cousin said the original classic Jungle Book is a favorite of the three year old. They also mentioned that most Disney movies are problematic as a parent is killed, and this movie is the only Disney movie they will show the three year old. Of course, the new movie is out of the question for their child, according to his parents. They had checked Common Sense Media. Being number one and the box office and before I checked Common Sense Media, all four of our grandchildren went with Grandpa and me to see the new version of the Jungle Book, not the 3D version. After it was over, we asked all four what they thought.
The five year old was scared, very scared, and did not like the movie, even seeing it with the comfort of being with his grandparents and cousins. He gave it a two, but I was not sure he really understood the numbering from one to ten. After we explained again, he still said a two.
The near nine year old loved the movie, and thought everything about it was great, but did admit it was scary. He gave it an 8 out of a 10 rating.
The near ten year old thought the movie was okay and too scary for anyone under ten. She gave it a 7 out of a 10 rating.
The near thirteen said the graphics were amazing and the movie’s only redeeming characteristic. He gave it a 5 out of a 10 rating. There are not many movies where we feel comfortable taking grandchildren, and it is so much fun to take them to the movies and fill them with popcorn, candy and soda. Based on the guidance of our grandchildren, the new 2016 Disney Jungle Book has a narrow window of age appropriateness and enjoyment. If you have a nine year old grandchild, you have a visually amazing movie to watch with the grandchild. If you have a grandchild younger than age nine, either see it yourself, or wait until they hit nine. By twelve, the subject matter of the movie is not of interest, however well executed.
Joy,
Mema
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