Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle

It plays better than it reviews — the watch lands harder than the write-ups suggest.

• “No previous screen rendering of the Rudyard Kipling classic — not the 2016 Disney live-action epic and certainly not the jaunty, tuneful 1967 Disney animated version beloved by generations — has been so very dark and wild and, surprisingly, thoughtful.”

  Soren Andersen, The Seattle Times · 88

• “If “The Jungle Book” is like taking a trip to Disneyland, then “Mowgli” is a hike straight into unknown woods with nothing but some duct tape and a Bowie knife.”

  Peter Hartlaub, San Francisco Chronicle · 75

• “In some ways, Mowgli feels like an origin story. There’s a slight but unmistakable suggestion of a potential sequel to its open-ended climax.”

  Michael O'Sullivan, Washington Post · 75

• “The abiding darkness and occasionally graphic visuals will likely reduce its appeal as talking-critter family fare — think growling nighttime campfire tale instead of sun-dappled spectacle — but it makes for a welcome swerve from the Mouse House’s fun-zone approach to these timeless stories.”

  Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times · 70

• “The filmmakers are clearly trying to bring an uncommon maturity to the fantasy film, and in many respects they succeed. While not everything here works, what does is impressive.”

  Glenn Kenny, The New York Times · 70