Braver: A Shrine for Shanti from Jungle Book 2
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I know a lot of people who visit this page are probably wondering, why would someone make a web page dedicated to a disney sequel?  The answer to that question is simple.  I believe this particular Disney sequel deserves one.  And as you explore the jungle of this web page further, you’ll understand why I feel that way.

 

I want to start off by saying that I know a lot of people didn’t like Disney’s Jungle Book 2.  I’ve read a lot of reviews where people have stated a less than favorable opinion for it, but in my opinion, I think JB2 was the best Disney sequel ever made!  And for those of you who are still confused, just read my review for Jungle Book 2 and that should clear things up.

 

I too, like a lot of people, grew up on the original Disney classic, The Jungle Book.  I like that movie a lot and it holds a special place in my heart, but I have to say that after seeing the sequel, The Jungle Book 2, I prefer it to its predecessor.

 

 

When I first saw the previews for Jungle Book 2, I wanted to see it right away.  I didn’t know what to expect, but being a big disney fan, I was sure it would be good.  I was wrong.  It wasn’t good-it was amazing!  I was pulled into the story right from the beginning and as the movie progressed, I found myself identifying with one of the secondary characters-Shanti.  Shanti was actually the character who pulled me into the movie from the very beginning of this wonderful Disney sequel.  And it might have a little something to do with the fact that Mae Whitman, who is one of my favorite actresses, plays her.  But whatever the reason, I really found myself drawn into the story by Shanti’s character and by the end of it, I didn’t want the movie to end.  I wanted more!

 

 

The movie starts out with Mowgli, telling the villagers all about his former life in the jungle through a puppet show.  He has the attention of everyone there.  But Mowgli’s most tentative audience member is his new little brother, Ranjan, who simply idolizes Mowgli for his life style and is eager to hear more about his life in the jungle.  Shanti, Mowgli’s new best friend, is interested to a certain extent as well.  It isn’t until Ranjan embarrasses the preteen girl by saying that,  “Shanti blinks her big beautiful, brown eyes at you,”  meaning at Mowgli,  “and you followed her into our village!”,  , does Shanti lose interest in the story altogether and is more interested in proving Ranjan wrong.

          The next day, Ranjan and Mowgli spend their day teasing Shanti and Ranjan is still determined to be just like his new big brother, much to Shanti’s chagrin.  Despite Shanti’s fear of tigers and of the jungle altogether, Mowgli tries his best to get his best friend to let her guard down and give the jungle a try, but Shanti isn’t budging.  She is adamant.  “The jungle is a dangerous place full of wild animals.”  Is Shanti’s response when Mowgli tries to get her to get with the jungle rhythm.  Shanti ends up getting Mowgli grounded by accident and it isn’t until Mowgli is whisked back to his old home by Baloo, does Shanti face her fear and overcome her apprehension towards the jungle.

 

I think this movie teaches a lot of lessons.  One being that you need to face your fears and when you do, you’ll become a braver and stronger person in the end.  It also teaches how to deal with change and adapting to a new way of life.  In this case, Mowgli had to deal with the change of living in the man village versus life in the jungle.  He had to learn about responsibilities and also how to leave one life behind for another.  Even though the jungle was still calling to him, when push came to shove, he realized that his place was with Shanti and his new family.  Mowgli had to choose between what was easy and what he knew was right.  And in the end, he was able to have the best of both worlds.  Live in the village among his kind and also be able to visit the jungle and hang with his friends there.  So in a way, Mowgli got to have his cake and eat it too.  Or maybe in the case of the jungle book, mangos would be the right word here.

          I honestly think this movie had a lot of drama and suspense, a little more so than the first one.  Especially in the scenes with Shere Khan and when he trapped Shanti and Mowgli.  I really felt Shanti’s fear and was actually shaking the first two times I watched the movie.  I know Shere Khan attacked Mowgli in the first movie, but I think the drama was more suspenseful in this one because Mowgli wasn’t the only one at Shere Khan’s mercy this time.  Shanti was in danger as well.  I would have really liked to see Disney make a series based on the second movie, but I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.   

 

 

Needless to say, I adore this film to pieces and watch it a lot.  I saw it fourteen times in the theatres and a thousand times since I bought it on DVD.  I can’t get enough of it and I thought it should have a proper shrine on the web.  It deserves one.

 

 

After you’re done reading my review and exploring more of the web site, feel free to read my fanfiction that I’ve written based on this wonderful disney sequel.  My sister, Jasmine and I are working on a story together which should be done by the end of July of next year.  But until then, I’ve posted some solo stories that I’m working on.  And don’t worry, more are coming. 

 

Oh and before you leave the jungle to go back to the village, don’t forget to sign my dreambook and let me know what you think of the site!  Also, feel free to join my JB2  stay

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