Walt Disney Pictures adds an all-new chapter to one of the Studios best-loved animated classics with "The Jungle Book 2," a fun-filled sequel to the 1967 Disney masterpiece. Produced by DisneyToon Studios, the feature film branch of Walt Disney Television Animation, "The Jungle Book 2" swings with unforgettable characters, toe-tapping songs and a star-studded voice cast headed by John Goodman as everyone's favorite bear, Baloo, and Academy Award nominee Haley Joel Osment as the man-cub, Mowgli.
"The Jungle Book 2" begins shortly after the original film ended with Mowgli torn between two worlds. The man-cub now lives in the village among humans, learning about the love of a family for the first time in his life. His new life includes his little stepbrother, Ranjan, and his best friend Shanti, the girl that initially wooed him from the jungle. But living in the village means following human rules, a new concept that encroaches on the freedoms he enjoyed during his upbringing in the jungle.
Moreover, Mowgli's still got that jungle rhythm in his heart. He misses his old buddy Baloo, who likewise pines for his little man-cub pal. While the wise panther, Bagheera, and Colonel Hathi's Elephant Patrol attempt to keep Baloo from disturbing Mowgli's new-human existence, Mowgli is putting the jungle bug in the ear of the village children - during the rousing musical number, "Jungle Rhythm." The children have been lectured since birth about the dangers of the jungle, and have been forbidden to enter its mysterious foliage. But Mowgli's infectious song innocently leads the village children toward the jungle - only to be halted by Mowgli's stepfather, who promptly punishes Mowgli for his disobedience.
Meanwhile, Baloo isn't the only one hoping to see Mowgli again soon - the man-eating tiger Shere Khan impatiently awaits revenge for his humiliation. Shere Khan slips into the man village hoping to find the mancub just as Mowgli is sneaking away to the jungle with the help of Baloo. Shanti is so worried about Mowgli that she overcomes her own fear of the jungle and goes after him - followed, unbeknownst to her, by the irrepressible Ranjan.
Baloo sets forth to convince the man-cub that his place is in the jungle, taking his quest to musical extremes with the show-stopping, Busby Berkeley-style musical number, "W-I-L-D." But the fun can't last. With the hypnotic snake Kaa seeking a snack, Shere Khan out for vengeance and the villagers scouring the jungle, the chase is on to find Mowgli and get him to safety. In the end, Shanti and Baloo must team up to help their mutual pal defeat the nefarious tiger, and Mowgli is faced with deciding between old friends and new family.
Movie News
