King of the Jungle (2000) User Reviews

Unrealized Potential

[DiegoTF · 6/10 · 5 June 2006]

This really seemed from the packaging, summary, & trailer that it had potential. Great actors, great location, great storyline. But clocking in at just over eighty minutes the whole thing felt incredibly rushed.

The acting was considerably decent given that John Leguizamo carried more than 95% of the running time (very well nonetheless) on his shoulders. However, the story line has a minimum of a dozen plot holes & even more areas where additional insight into the major elements of the story were missing. John is the only one that benefits from any real character development, or, over development.

Not usually one to spout off & generally very casual when approaching & even more easy-going with reviewing and recommending movies, I truly felt like this could have been so much more & am slightly frustrated that it was obviously as rushed as it was. Supporting this, at least twice in the 'Behind The Scenes' featurette on the DVD the director refers to his actors (Marisa Tomei, etc.) having 'a small window of time'.

Adjust your expectations, check it out casually and enjoy it for what's it's worth. An over-the-top John Leguizamo showcase that does at the very least & at the expense of all others involved, well represent his range as an actor.

LEGUIZAMO TRIUMPHS

[george.schmidt · 19 November 2001]

KING OF THE JUNGLE (2001) ** John Leguizamo, Julie Carmen, Rosie Perez, Cliff Gorman, Michael Rapaport, Annabella Sciorra, Marisa Tomei, Rosario Dawson. Leguizamo gives another credible performance this time as a mentally challenged man who lives with his activist mother (Carmen) in New York City and her lesbian lover (Perez) who must come to grips when a horrible crime is committed. Despite a chock-block blend of an ensemble the film meanders from one point to the next and is only buoyed by the exuberant turn by Leguizamo. (Dir: Seth Zvi Rosenfeld)

A Mentally Retarded "Mean Streets"

[Bill357 · 4/10 · 10 May 2009]

King Of The Jungle is a mediocre urban drama. As far as the storyline goes, it's a bit meandering like it's predecessor and (I assume) inspiration, the overrated Mean Streets.

John Leguizamo is a superb actor who always rises above the material he's given and delivers excellent performances. A few examples include Empire and George A. Romero's Land Of The Dead. However, King Of The Jungle is an exception.

Leguizamo plays the mentally handicapped Seymour and overacts in the extreme. During the scene where Michael Rappaport tries to teach Seymour to stand up for himself he actually drools while in a state of distress! Many times (usually towards the end) he appears more demoniacally possessed than mentally challenged. When he starts waving around a gun, talking in a half growl he appears more frightening than sympathetic.

One thing that got on my nerves was the subplot involving Seymour's mother's community activism. I hate cops just as much as the next guy but why is it that when a policeman is stupid and ends up killing someone, everyone takes to the streets in protest but when some worthless creep kills a person in cold blood it's greeted with a collective yawn. Where was the outcry over Seymour's mother being killed and where were the throngs of people looking for Seymour when he vanished?

Another thing I disliked was Seymour's folk singing dad. He was a really obnoxious douche bag!

Who knew this wonderful movie was also this funny?

[paulpoux · 10/10 · 13 November 2001]

Part of a great story is knowing how to mix drama with comedy. This movie had me laughing out loud many times - and I don't laugh in movies. John Leguizamo is fascinating to watch, very sympathetic, and much smarter than everyone around him thinks. The whole cast is enjoyable. The writer/director really knows what he's doing.

a look into the heart of the urban jungle

[ilovepix · 10/10 · 6 November 2001]

Saw this movie on the 5th of Nov.. It's a look into the heart of the urban jungle with an outstanding cast operating on all cylinders. John Leguizamo gives a tour de force performance as a retarded young man trying to cope with overwhelming problems, including his mother's violent death.

Rosie Perez, Marisa Tomei and Anabella Sciorra are among an all star cast that breathe fire and passion into this intense drama.

Great Job John!

[ckjabroni · 8/10 · 15 October 2002]

This isn't one of the most well written films I have seen in a long time, with some very noticeable flaws and a forgettable ending, but one thing makes this movie worth an 8/10 and its John Leguizamo. To date my favorite performances and the ones I feel were the standard for playing a character who is in some form mentally handicapped were, Leonardo Di'Caprio (the only movie he has actually done anything worth mentioning in to date) in "Whats Eating Gilbert Grape", and Sean Penn in "I AM Sam". Now there is a third to add to this list. John Leguizamo in this film. I almost am willing to say that this tops the other two performances, but it is a close call. Up until this role I had yet to see a decent job done in a movie by Leguizamo, feeling that he was a one trick pony, only knowing how to do comedy. After this film, I won't think that ever again. He puts in a brilliant performance, that stands head and shoulders above this good cast that played with him in this movie, and surpasses a lot of performances for the year. All I can say is he saved this movie from being a total bore, and he definitely did his research! Great performance, and this movie should be watched simply for his performance and how well he nails it!