--- title: "The Jungle Book: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016" critics_score: 75 critics_reviews: 29 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # The Jungle Book (2016): what the critics said Critics' score 75 from 29 reviews: 25 positive, 3 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it. The praise clusters almost entirely on the digital jungle and the animals in it, which reviewers repeatedly call convincing enough that you stop noticing they are not real. Favreau’s light touch gets credit for keeping the story buoyant rather than solemn, and Bill Murray’s Baloo is the performance named most often, with Neel Sethi’s Mowgli a regular second. The reservations are consistent and mostly minor. Several reviews find the songs sit awkwardly in a film built as a chase, and a few think it thin on theme and loose in structure. The 1967 film hovers over everything, and some critics find the remake colder and further from Kipling than they would like. The spread is narrow: only one review is outright negative, The New Yorker’s, which calls the film controlled and flat and short on real peril, and Slant Magazine alone finds the chase and the musical pulling against each other. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 14 April 2016. Turan finds the film a sweet, scary triumph and a model of crowd-pleasing entertainment. He particularly praises its photorealistic jungle world and the balance between family-friendly fun and genuine peril. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-jungle-book-review-20160415-column.html) ## Little White Lies — Adam Woodward Rating 3/4/4. 11 April 2016. The review calls the film an astonishing, immersive triumph. It especially praises the richly textured digital jungle and its photorealistic creatures. [Read the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/the-jungle-book) ## Radio Times — Victoria Luxford Rating 4/5. Luxford finds the film a gorgeous adventure that successfully brings magic and wonder to the story. She singles out Favreau’s jaw-dropping, CGI-enabled action for praise. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-b4sj0k/the-jungle-book/) ## The Guardian — Peter Bradshaw Rating 4/5. 12 April 2016. Bradshaw calls the remake a tremendous success and an unexpectedly enjoyable piece of old-fashioned storytelling. He particularly praises the persuasive digital rendering of the animals and Bill Murray’s amusing performance as Baloo. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/apr/12/the-jungle-book-review) ## Time Out — Cath Clarke Rating 4/5. 5 April 2016. Clarke calls the remake a winner. The available excerpt does not identify a specific element singled out for praise or criticism. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/the-jungle-book-3) ## Variety — Andrew Barker Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2016. Barker finds this a successful, buoyant adventure that avoids the po-faced seriousness of many modernized fairy tales. He especially praises Favreau’s light touch and the strikingly convincing animal effects. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/the-jungle-book-review-1201743393/) ## Empire — Chris Hewitt Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 11 April 2016. Hewitt finds it a visually sumptuous, entertaining adaptation and Disney’s strongest live-action remake yet. He particularly praises the immersive CGI jungle and Bill Murray’s scene-stealing Baloo. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/jungle-book-3-review/) ## Evening Standard — Charlotte O'Sullivan Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 15 April 2016. O'Sullivan finds the film thrilling for adult audiences, though it may disappoint Kipling purists and lacks ambition. She especially praises the visuals, spry script, and vocal cast. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/the-jungle-book-film-review-adult-cinemagoers-will-be-thrilled-a3226371.html) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Rating B-. 12 April 2016. Kohn finds the film a dazzling technical spectacle that does not cohere into a satisfying whole. He particularly praises its visual effects and the frightening presence of Shere Khan and King Louie. [Read the review](https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/the-jungle-book-review-jon-favreaus-flashy-reboot-is-the-future-of-the-blockbuster-21680/) ## Screen Daily — Sarah Ward Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2016. The critic’s verdict appears positive, though the review is behind a paywall. She singles out the film’s level of detail, comparing its likely impact to that of Avatar. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/the-jungle-book-review/5102194.article) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2016. The critic finds the film engaging and visually stunning, though it lacks thematic depth and becomes conventional near the end. He especially praises the lifelike CGI animals and seamless visual effects. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/jungle-book-film-review-880131/) ## Total Film — Paul Bradshaw Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 20 August 2016. Bradshaw finds the remake a strong standalone film, though it feels slightly cold and invites constant comparison with the original. He praises its flawless animation and pitch-perfect casting, especially Bill Murray as Baloo. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/movies-to-watch-on-blu-ray-and-dvd-22-august-2016/) ## Vulture — David Edelstein Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 April 2016. Edelstein finds the film dazzling, thrilling, and an overall success, though he says it softens Kipling’s sharper view of the natural world. He praises the kinetic journey and especially Bill Murray’s performance as Baloo, while faulting Murray’s singing of “The Bare Necessities.” [Read the review](https://www.vulture.com/2016/04/review-the-jungle-book-is-a-thrilling-journey.html) ## RogerEbert.com Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). The page could not be accessed, so the critic’s verdict is unavailable. No praise or complaint from the review can be verified. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-jungle-book-2016) ## The New York Times Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 15 April 2016. The page is a review of the 2016 film, but its verdict is unavailable. No specific praise or criticism can be verified from the accessible text. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/15/movies/the-jungle-book-review.html) ## Slant Magazine — Sam C. Mac Rating 2/4. 13 April 2016. The critic finds the remake diminished and incoherent, arguing that its chase-film approach clashes with its musical elements. They praise the humor and lush animation but say these strengths are inherited rather than meaningfully advanced. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/the-jungle-book-2016/) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 14 April 2016. Lane finds the remake visually impressive but ultimately flat, controlled, and less charming than the 1967 film. He praises its technical polish while faulting it for missing the original book’s richness and leaving little sense of real peril. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/04/25/the-jungle-book-and-tale-of-tales-reviews) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 95/100 (inferred from the text). 12 April 2016. Hammond calls the film a stunning visual marvel and a cinematic achievement like no other. He especially praises the visual-effects crew, while noting Bill Murray’s Baloo steals the show. [Read the review](https://deadline.com/2016/04/the-jungle-book-review-jon-favreau-disney-bill-murray-idris-elba-1201735845/) ## Eye for Film — Angus Wolfe Murray Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 23 April 2016. The review is strongly enthusiastic, calling the film a thrilling and visually stunning success. It praises the realistic CGI animals and Favreau’s technical wizardry and imagination. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/the-jungle-book-2016-film-review-by-angus-wolfe-murray) ## Polygon — Julia Alexander Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 8 April 2016. Alexander calls the film a great, immersive experience and a major CGI game changer, despite a couple of awkward musical numbers. She especially praises the realistic CGI and Neel Sethi’s charming performance as Mowgli. [Read the review](https://www.polygon.com/2016/4/8/11392338/the-jungle-book-review/) ## Consequence — Dominick Suzanne-Mayer Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 April 2016. The critic considers the film a vivid, assured reimagining that balances spectacle, danger, and warmth. They especially praise its tactile digital visuals and Neel Sethi’s grounded performance. [Read the review](https://consequence.net/2016/04/film-review-the-jungle-book/) ## Digital Spy — Scarlett Russell Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 12 April 2016. The critic finds the film a warmly entertaining visual feast, though they wish it had more humor. They single out the lifelike visual effects and Neel Sethi’s joyful performance for praise. [Read the review](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a789774/the-jungle-book-review-something-to-sink-your-teeth-into/) ## HeyUGuys — Cassam Looch Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). The critic finds the adaptation enchanting, fresh, and heart-warming. They single out its seamless visual effects and the depth Favreau gives the iconic characters for praise. [Read the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/jungle-book-review/) ## /Film — Angie Han Rating 8/10. 15 April 2016. Han gives the film a strong endorsement, especially as a theatrical 3D spectacle. She praises its photo-real visual effects and singles out Idris Elba’s menacing Shere Khan as a standout performance. [Read the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/543801/the-jungle-book-review/) ## NME Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). The review finds the film thrilling and magical, despite one awkward musical moment. It singles out the vivid CGI action and Bill Murray’s voice performance as particular strengths. [Read the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/reviews-movie-16444-306610) ## Paste — Melissa Weller Rating 8.0/10. 15 April 2016. Weller finds the film’s blend of warmth and cutting-edge effects affecting, though a few pacing issues and musical numbers weaken it. She especially praises the vivid visual effects for making the imagined jungle immersive and nostalgic. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/the-jungle-book) ## Den of Geek — Don Kaye Rating 3.5 out of 5. 15 April 2016. Kaye finds the film worthwhile despite flaws in its pacing and narrative structure. He especially praises its remarkable visual effects and immersive world. [Read the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/books/the-jungle-book-review/) ## The Wrap Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 3 April 2016. The critic finds the remake mostly satisfying, with its visual craft and emotional story outweighing a misstep in handling the songs. The immersive effects and expressive animated animals receive particular praise. [Read the review](https://www.thewrap.com/the-jungle-book-review-disney/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating B-. 14 April 2016. Goldberg finds the film emotionally engaging but narratively and thematically loose, with its visual effects sometimes distracting from the story. He especially praises the photorealistic animals and the heartfelt bonds between Mowgli, his wolf family, and Baloo. [Read the review](https://collider.com/the-jungle-book-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/the-jungle-book-2016.md