# Hollywood out of ideas: Jungle Book 2 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 17, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561 "2003-02-17T03:35:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tourian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8491ac/32.png) [@Tourian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tourian)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/1 "2003-02-17T03:35:59Z")
Why? Why? Why? Is nothing sacred??? Is there no originality? I saw some of this “sequel.” I was hoping for some sophisticated character development since last we met our heroes. You know, Mowgli with grandchildren who are embracing the new modern world. Then there’s the horrible logging company threatening to strip burn the forest while a grandfatherly Baloo lays on his deathbed chanting “damn them! Damn them all to hell!” But no. Painful flimsy plot. Mowgli has not even grown an inch. They didn’t even have the dignity to find a voice similar to the original Baloo(what happened to the guy that did Tailspin??). It’s John GOODMAN. And they resurrect the old original musical numbers in their ENTIRETY. _sniff_ Damn you Eisner. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/2 "2003-02-17T03:47:09Z")
If it’s not one of Disney’s Full Length Animated Features, which they number, don’t see it. I learned this lesson with the first Aladdin sequel. Dan Castellaneta is a very talented man but his Genie sucks. Of course their numbered series is no guarantee either but at least there you stand a decent chance of being entertained. ---
**Author:** ![Loopus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loopus/32/15343_2.png) [@Loopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loopus)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/3 "2003-02-17T03:53:46Z")
The guy that voiced Baloo on _Tale Spin_ was [Ed Gilbert](http://us.imdb.com/Name?Gilbert,+Ed), who apparently passed away in 1999. Disney has done a bunch of dumb sequels in the past few years, but most have gone straight to video. Somehow, the like of _Return to Neverland_ and _The Jungle Book 2_ slipped through the cracks. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2003, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/4 "2003-02-17T23:47:47Z")
I had heard that Disney was planning sequels to all the classic animations. On video, we have _Cinderella 2,_ at least two _Aladdin_ sequels, _Return to Neverland_, and a few others, I think, that I’ve suppressed. My DVD of _Dumbo_ has a sort-of trailer for _Dumbo 2_ – shudder. I can only begin to imagine “Snow White divorces the Prince and goes to work in the dwarfs’ mine” or “Bambi 2 – Revenge against the Deer Hunter” My guess is that this is a way of maintaining the copyright/trademark on the characters. It’s certainly a lack of imagination. ---
**Author:** ![Fern\_Forest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/71c47a/32.png) [@Fern\_Forest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fern_Forest)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/5 "2003-02-18T00:22:04Z")
Well, there’s (not using their actualy titles) Fantasia 2, Dumbo 2, Cinderella 2, Peter Pan 2, Lady & the Tramp 2, 101 Dalamtions 2, Jungle Book 2, Winnie the Pooh 2, The Rescuers 2, The Little Mermaid 2, Beauty and the Beast 2, Aladdin 2, Lion King 2, Pocahontas 2, Tarzan 2 and Lilo & Stitch 2 is in the works. I’m sure there are more, that’s off the top of my head. This [website](http://www.poprocksandcoke.com/?x=6) lists a lot more. I say again, if it’s not one of their DFLAF, don’t see it. ---
**Author:** ![teleute12](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@teleute12](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teleute12)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/6 "2003-02-18T00:47:29Z")
And my sister will get each and every one of those. And then watch it everytime it’s on the disney channel. _sigh_ Really, I don’t see the point. “Happily ever after” doesn’t leave much room for interpretation, why do they bother? Yeah, I know, money. ---
**Author:** ![Intaglio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/71e660/32.png) [@Intaglio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Intaglio)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 12:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/7 "2003-02-18T00:56:57Z")
Does Disney own John Goodman (indenturered servertude)? - he voiced for such Movies as The Emperor’s New Groove, Monster’s Inc, and The Jungle Book 2. ---
**Author:** ![Cholo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Cholo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cholo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/8 "2003-02-18T01:20:04Z")
Which begs the question…has Disney ever successfully provided a quality sequel? I have my doubts. I too wonder why Disney goes this route with the so called sequels. There are SO many stories to tell and I would think it would be more advantageous to create newer characters. From a marketing perspective. I know the old ones are tried and true but don’t they get it that they are watering down what made them so lovable in the first place? Lighting rarely strikes twice in the same place. ---
**Author:** ![Cholo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Cholo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cholo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/9 "2003-02-18T01:21:10Z")
I forgot about Toy Story (that is a Pixar/Disney film right?). Ok…what else? ---
**Author:** ![mblackwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5fc32e/32.png) [@mblackwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mblackwell)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/10 "2003-02-18T01:36:14Z")
Rescuers Down Under. ---
**Author:** ![skaterboarder87](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9de0a6/32.png) [@skaterboarder87](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/skaterboarder87)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/11 "2003-02-18T01:37:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cholo \* > \*\*I forgot about Toy Story (that is a Pixar/Disney film right?). > > Ok…what else? \*\* At least Toy Story 2 was good. Many consider it better than the original; most agree it’s at least as good as the first. ---
**Author:** ![fiddlesticks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fiddlesticks/32/18129_2.png) [@fiddlesticks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fiddlesticks)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/12 "2003-02-18T02:07:12Z")
Don’t forget _The Hunchback of Notre Dame 2_. (straight-to-video 2002) “This time it’s personal.” ---
**Author:** ![SC\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@SC\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SC_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/13 "2003-02-18T05:27:46Z")
I acutally liked _Lion King 2_. In keeping with the tradition of ripping off Shakespere, number 2 was a star-crossed lovers Romeo & Juliet type story. Makes me wonder which of the Bard’s plays they’re going to cribnote into the script for _Lion King 3_. And yes, they are working on a third one. ---
**Author:** ![Wumpus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8c91f0/32.png) [@Wumpus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wumpus)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/14 "2003-02-18T05:46:57Z")
I’m hoping for a Lion King Lear myself. “Out out vile jelly!” ---
**Author:** ![NutWrench](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nutwrench/32/20193_2.png) [@NutWrench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NutWrench)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 6:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/15 "2003-02-18T06:29:25Z")
> [@](#): > > Then there’s the horrible logging company threatening to strip burn the forest while a grandfatherly Baloo lays on his deathbed chanting “damn them! Damn them all to hell!” Didn’t Disney do an ‘evil loggers threaten forest’ animated movie not too long ago? It was pretty heavy-handed if I remember correctly. ---
**Author:** ![CadburyAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c2a13f/32.png) [@CadburyAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CadburyAngel)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/16 "2003-02-18T06:49:10Z")
I think that was “Fern Gully,” NutWrench. Not sure if it was Disney or not. Although the characterization, plot, continuity, music… okay, although EVERYTHING goes downhill in a sequel, the quality difference is probably lost on the youngest consumers. My friend’s nephew Ashton didn’t want to see Toy Story Two to enjoy the banter and pop-culture references, he wanted to see “Buzz and Wooooody! Buzz and Wooooooody!” Didn’t matter much what they were doing. ---
**Author:** ![widdershins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/f0a364/32.png) [@widdershins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdershins)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 7:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/17 "2003-02-18T07:59:28Z")
I realize it’s just a Disney franchise, meaning money is the motivation and possibly mantaining the copyright, but _The Jungle Book_ is one of the few Disney movies from my childhood I still have some attachment to. A bland sequel like this one troubles me. Making a sequel considering the ending of the original and the loss of the voice actors who made the orignal great (Phil Harris, George Sanders, Sterling Holloway and Louis Prima) seem pointless. But what else would I expect from the House of Mouse ---
**Author:** ![Dragonblink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9bd4f/32.png) [@Dragonblink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dragonblink)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/18 "2003-02-18T09:24:31Z")
The third _Aladdin_ movie wasn’t horrifically bad. They got Robin Williams back, at least. Though I think it would’ve been a lot cooler if it had been made with its original plot – revealing Mozenrath (one of the coolest and most complex Disney tv villains ever) to be Aladdin’s brother. Alas, Jonathan Brandis couldn’t be reached, or so the rumor goes, and the movie introduces Al’s dad instead. C’mon, man, Al and Moze even look alike! ---
**Author:** ![El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@El\_Elvis\_Rojo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Elvis_Rojo)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2003, 10:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hollywood-out-of-ideas-jungle-book-2/155561/19 "2003-02-18T10:35:36Z")
I remember the day I was sitting in the movie theater, getting ready to see **The Ring** and caught a glimpse of the moving billboard at the theater. It was such a quick glance that I thought I was mistaken. Then the tiles turned once again, my brain said “No!” and my stomach tried to upheave itself. It wasn’t simply that they were making a sequel, but that the _Jungle Book 2_ was actually making it to theaters REALLY upset me. It was one of my favorite movies growing up. One of my first records was one of those read along story books of it, where you can read the story, and then listen to the songs…absolutely wonderful. Even though I hadn’t seen it in years, King Louis’ song still rings in my head and comes out every now and again. I know with their current influx of super crappy, completely grituitous sequels, it was bound to happen, but I never in a million years would have thought this would take place. But hell, if they can find reason to have a **Cindarella 2** , I guess nothing is sacred. And judging from the commercials, it sounds like all they did for the music was update all the songs from classy, groovy jazz beats to poppy rock songs. Are there any “All New Songs” in the thing? I’m never going to see it, and I hate Disney even more for this abomination to imagination.