"Everybody's got to have friends."

Rating: 7/10 (6 June 2018)

There are any number of versions of "The Jungle Book" out there, ranging from the 1942 film featuring non-actor Sabu, up to the 2016 modernized epic, quite vibrant and colorful but maybe a bit too intense for young kids. This is undeniably the most kid friendly version, at least of those I've seen, and would be a nice introduction to the Rudyard Kipling stories of Mowgli and his animal friends for young viewers. All of the characters are entertaining, up to and including the villainous Python Kaa and Tiger Shere Khan. They aren't drawn or voiced in such a menacing manner that it would send the youngsters hiding under the bed. The jovial animals like Baloo the Bear and King Louie add an amusing comedic element to the story and with the upbeat songs, the film has the ability to transfix it's audience throughout. I had forgotten all about the comical vultures, and while listening today, I couldn't help thinking that yet another modern day remake might make use of Ringo Starr for one of the British voices; that would be just about perfect. With it's fairly short run time of seventy eight minutes, I thought the ending could have been handled just a little bit better as it seemed quite abrupt once Mowgli met the young Indian girl. Be that as it may, the picture has a nice message of friendship and loyalty, and serves well as the nineteenth and last animated feature that Walt Disney would have been personally involved in. The picture ought to be considered required viewing for all youngsters who might enjoy an uplifting jungle adventure.