January 1st, 2008
Posted by
Ian W |
Rants & Raves, Site News |
no comments
It’s New Year, the perfect time for starting some new regular features on Mine Was Taller, and for making a few resolutions.
First up the resolutions:
1) Watch more DVDs than I buy. I seem to have become unable to pass up a bargain, and with the Bargain Forum so helpful in pointing them out it’s resulted in a large “To Watch” pile (actually pile is the wrong word, I wouldn’t want to think how high they’d go if stacked on top of each other but doing so is certainly unfeasible). I’m going to start passing up on some of those previously irresistible offers and also up the number of DVDs watched each week; time will tell how successful I’ll be.
2) Read more some books. Since moving up to the midlands several years ago I seem to have lost the ability to read books. I’ve never been what you’d call a speed reader but I’ve always had a book on the go, yet in the last few years I’ve only completed one book (Don Siegel’s very enjoyable autobiography). It’s not like I’ve completely ignored the written word, I’ve read magazines and continued to feed my childhood comic addiction but books have fallen by the wayside. Hopefully that will change and you’ll see some of the fruits of that change here, including a review of Anthony Holden’s biography of Laurence Olivier (thanks for the Christmas present Kevin!).
January 1st, 2008
Posted by
Ian W |
Animation, Comedy, Movie Reviews, Musicals |
no comments
I’ve never been a big Disney fan, Mickey, Donald and Co do nothing for me and while I’ve enjoyed several of the animated films I wouldn’t call them favourites. Like everything though there is an exception and The Jungle Book’s it.
I first saw the film in the cinema, not on its original release (I’d have only been three at the time), but exactly when I couldn’t say. IMDb lists a UK rerelease in 1983 but it was definitely before that and probably around the min-seventies, so I was ten or so. Regardless of when I first watched it, it left a lasting impression, and the fact that my younger brother had the soundtrack album certainly helped to keep it fresh in my mind.
Over the years I’ve watched it several times (it’s playing again now as I write this) and I’d go so far as to say it’s my favourite animated film. That’s not to say it’s the best, just my personal favourite. So why do I love it so? Well I don’t think it’s ever been bettered for matching its voice cast to their characters, something listening to the soundtrack album just made even more obvious. Sebastian Cabot always seemed a bit dull as Bagheera, but that’s the point, it’s what makes the shiftless jungle bum Baloo so appealing, and Phil Harris’ Baloo is certainly that. But it’s not just the leads who fit, everyone from Sterling Holloway as the sneaky snake Kaa to the inspired casting of George Sanders as Shere Kha, the jungles deadliest inhabitant, are spot on.
