Parents may wish 'Jungle Book' sequel had gone straight to video

By Margaret A. McGurk
The Cincinnati Enquirer

THE JUNGLE BOOK 2 (Rated G) Billed as a "fun-filled sequel" to the 1967 Disney classic, "The Jungle Book 2" is anything but. While it may keep the little ones occupied, mom and dad will wonder why it wasn't released straight-to-video as many other Disney sequels of late have been. Starring the voices of Haley Joel Osment and John Goodman. Directed by Steve Trenbirth, Walt Disney Pictures, 75 minutes.

In recent years, they have made a science of turning out low-budget, direct-to-video sequels of the studio's classic animated films. They know tots fall in love with certain stories and characters, and love to watch their favorites dozens of times. (Of course, parents will tell you it seems more like thousands.) That makes them prime targets for home videos featuring familiar characters.

Once in a while, a sequel is tabbed for a theatrical run — presumably to pump up excitement over the video release, where the real bread-and-butter money gets made.

Thus we see "The Jungle Book 2" opening nationwide this weekend, just as the "Peter Pan" sequel "Return to Neverland" made a quick spin through the multiplex last year.

Sadly, "The Jungle Book 2" is no more a match for its 1967 original than "Return" was for "Pan."

The story sends Mowgli (voiced by Haley Joel Osment), now a village dweller, back into the jungle to spend time with his buddy Baloo the Bear (voiced by John Goodman), while dodging the evil tiger Shere Khan. Mowgli's little brother Ranjan (5-year-old Connor Funk) and pal, Shanti (Mae Whitman) follow him, setting off a panic among the village grown-ups. Eventually, Mowgli must decide between the jungle and his human community.

Despite the presence of solid voice talent, and some funny comic moments, the movie simply is nowhere near as entertaining or inventive as the original. Some of its additions — such as Phil Collins as the voice of a rude vulture — actually seem a little desperate.

The movie's best moments arrive when it recycles highlights from the first film, especially the irresistibly catchy tune "Bare Necessities," a far more memorable number than the two new songs contributed by Paul Grabowsky and Lorraine Feather.

Director Steve Trenbirth makes his feature debut with "The Jungle Book 2," after working as animation director on a series of straight-to-video sequels ("Lady and the Tramp II," "Lion King II," "Aladdin and the King of Thieves"). He does a workmanlike job; the movie looks more polished than many other low-budget Disney sequels. But the script by Karl Geurs (and five others credited with "additional written material") is short on bright ideas. Even at less than 90 minutes long, sometimes, it felt like a drag.

Certainly the movie will keep little ones occupied. But mom and dad may find themselves wishing this particular sequel had shown up on the small screen in the family room, where it belongs.

Rated G.