Director: Andy Serkis
Starring: Andy Serkis, Benedict Cumberbatch and Christian Bale
‘A Meaningful Masterpiece’
Not many actors have created films which audiences cherish like Andy Serkis. Since his fame in the 1990’s, Serkis has become a celebrated motion-capture artist. Whether it’s ring-bearing creatures, gigantic apes or space scavengers, Serkis has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Serkis’ finest strength as an actor has proven his commitment to motion-capture technology. He is one of those rare actors which has always had the talents for transforming in larger than life motion-capture characters. Through abilities to portray strong motion-capture characters, Serkis has created a legacy that has been lasting. Although he is arguably best known for his iconic role as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings franchise, Serkis has proven that he can portray wide ranges of characters. Throughout his long-lasting career, Serkis has produced many memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Serkis and adore all films which he has made in his career. However, “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” is definitely my favourite. Released in 2018, Andy Serkis’ movie offered a captivating adaptation of an animated classic. Packed with stunning visual effects, captivating storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the greatest live-action remakes ever made. At centre of it all is a fantastic performance by Benedict Cumberbatch, who embodies a tiger facing destruction. Ultimately, what makes “Mowgli King of the Jungle” a masterpiece is broad appeal. Unlike the animated film targeted to children only, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. A riveting remake of an animated classic, there are countless reasons why “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” is a commemorated movie which is absolutely worth watching.
Based on the animated classic, “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” tells the story of an orphan raised in a jungle. Rohan Chand portrays Mowgli, a lonely orphan raised in jungles causing adversity. Mowgli shares a powerful bond with the bear Baloo (Andy Serkis), an animal he has grown to cherish. However, Mowgli’s life is placed in danger when he’s hunted down by a tiger. Shere Khan (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a devilish tiger that inspires fear. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Mowgli is soon forced to wonder whether it’s possible for him to survive a tiger. Faced with a painful jungle, Mowgli questions whether achieving his dreams is possible.
Andy Serkis has often been fascinated with the lives of creatures. An incredible motion-capture artist, Serkis has often made films on creatures facing disaster. With “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”, however, the director made his first live-action remake. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to create a remake of an iconic animated film but he succeeded. Using captivating cinematography, Serkis captured an orphan seeking to survive in a jungle causing adversity. Serkis effectively uses point of view shots to capture tension orphans in jungles on through. For instance, POV shots elevate the animal attack scene. During this unforgettable scene, Mowgli is in a stressful situation when he is attacked by a tiger. Using captivating POV shots, Serkis crafts a portrait of animals that’s engaging. POV shots are complex techniques to use in film. As Peter Jackson’s “King Kong” proved, POV shots enhance films about apes. That being said, it works immensely in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Serkis captures the tension which animals in frightening jungles are facing.
Another strong aspect of “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, the movie is extremely well made. Serkis expertly uses motion-capture technology capturing animals in jungles experiencing adversities. For instance, motion-capture technology elevates the tiger confrontation scene. During this intense scene, Mowgli confronts Shere Khan in a meeting. Using breathtaking motion-capture technology, Serkis celebrates an animated film about jungles that’s compelling. Furthermore, the musical score is dazzling. Nitin Sawhney’s music is key to the success of the movie. It gives the film tense atmosphere capturing burden that animated animals bear. Using stunning production, Serkis captured lives of animals facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” is a remake that’s engaging. The film is extremely well-written and successfully employs silence to capture the lives of animals in jungles that face tension. For instance, silence enhances the farewell scene. During his heartbreaking scene, Mowgli bids emotional farewell to his animal companion. Through silence, Sekis crested an animated film which audiences ga easily relate to. Silence is a complicated technique to use in movies. As Matt Reeves’ “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” claimed clearly, silence enhances films about apes. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this film. Through a spectacular screenplay, Serkis captures animals in jungles that endure a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Andy Serkis delivers one of his best career performances as Baloo. Serkis first earned appreciation for playing luminous creatures in fantasy films. With “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle”, however, Serkis took upon his most challenging role. It isn’t simple to portray a legendary animated character which faces adversity but he succeeds immensely. This is the actor unlike you have ever seen him in the past: intense, charismatic and riveting in his most iconic role. Through strong motion-capture technology, he captured the angst, bravery and resentment of a bear in jungles facing adversity. It’s a strong performance by one of the most commemorated actors in Hollywood today.
While the film is a stunning showcase for Andy Serkis, the supporting cast is also amazing and deserving of appreciation. Benedict Cumberbatch is brilliant, bringing an air of menace to a tiger that inspires fear making life a nightmare. Christian Bale is captivating, capturing bravery of a panther that is determined to succeed rather than fail. Lastly, Cate Blanchett merits praise. As a mischievous snake, she brings an air of mystery to the movie.
Fans of Andy Serkis would definitely enjoy “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” and so will audiences seeking enjoyable entertainment. A captivating fantasy classic, it honours an actor that’s iconic.
Nearly a decade following the release of a groundbreaking fantasy film about animals in a jungle, it’s a riveting reminder about a commemorated actor that has built a powerful legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which audiences commonly consider to be extremely special.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 