It’s been a while since the last batch of mini-kickers, little reviews that give you a taste of what a film is about and whether I liked it. This time I have three movies based around stories about young people wandering jungles or forests with eccentric sidekicks. Whether it’s a talking bear, a grumpy old Kiwi, or a corpse these flicks all deliver heartfelt narratives. Welcome to the jungle!

The Jungle Book

The original Disney cartoon version of Rudyard Kipling’s stories is still loved by many generations of animation lovers so it was never going to be an easy task to create a live action adaptation that captured the essence of the 1961 classic. Surprisingly John Favreau has accomplished exactly that with the film. It touches on nostalgia with the inclusion of the classic songs but adds it’s own slightly darker twist. Newcomer Neel Sethi is perfectly cast as Mowgli and the animals are wonderfully crafted with fantastic voice actors playing them particularly Ben Kingsley as Bagheera. The Jungle Book also proves that Scarlett Johannson can make an evil snake sexy.

8/10

The Jungle Book is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.

Swiss Army Man

There’s a good chance Swiss Army Man will be the weirdest movie you’ll see this year. Here’s the basic plot – man (Paul Dano) stranded on island struggles with loneliness until the corpse of a young man (Daniel Radcliffe) washes up on shore and the two form a touching friendship. Even before the opening credits start, we’re treated to the sight of Dano riding a farting Radcliffe like a jet-ski. The movie ambles along revealing emotional shards of Dano’s characters life while also nailing some very funny, very childish jokes. It’s much like a more bizarre Weekend at Bernies. The strangeness does lose a lot of steam as the film reaches it’s obtuse climax but up until then you’ll be invested in the likeable characters. Who knows, maybe the big gift for Christmas this year will be your very own bloated corpse?

7/10

Swiss Army Man is released in selected cinema this Friday 30th September.

Hunt for the Wilderpeople

I’ll get to the point quickly – I loved this film. It’s touching, exciting, and most of all hilarious. Julian Dennison plays ‘bad egg’ Ricky Baker who is fostered to a family in the countryside and before long is going on a trek through the majestic New Zealand bush. Northern Ireland’s own Sam Neill is his grumpy old foster father and the relationship between the two leads is what provides Hunt for the Wilderpeople it’s emotion and pathos. The film is directed by Taika Waititi who made one of my favourite comedies ever What We Do In the Shadows and he knocks it out of the park again. I adored this film and challenge anyone to view it and not have a big grin on their face. Look out for the best Lord of the Rings joke ever put on screen.

9/10

Hunt For the Wilderpeople is still in UK cinemas so i implore you to go see it immediately.

Have you ever been lost in the woods? Have you had to battle your way through the bush? Let me know in the comments below and remember to share and follow!