This is the one I've been waiting for. Since September 2016, after the success of The Jungle Book live action remake, when it was announced Disney would be remaking one of its most iconic animated films of all time, The Lion King, and it would also be directed by Jon Favreau, this is the one I've been waiting for. The long-awaited live action remake of The Lion King is finally here. Although, this one is different from every other remake and there's a heated debated over words like live action and animation. But I'll get into those later.
I'll give a brief recap for anyone who has been living under a rock for the past twenty-five years. Yes, The Lion King, with some of its ground-breaking animation, a Disney film just as popular today as it ever way, came out twenty-five years ago! A lion cub and heir to be king, Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) is tricked by his uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons) into thinking he is responsible for his father Mufasa's (James Earl Jones) death. He grows up away from the pride, but makes two friends: a warthog Pumba (Ernie Sabella) and a meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane). Eventually, Simba must return home and defend his family against his uncle.
The preview gives us a lot of screen shots that are nearly mirror images of the original film. The red paint being swiped across the brow of Simba, indicating he is the chosen one. Simba being held up and presented to all the animals who reside near Pride Rock. Simba, Timon and Pumba walking across the log in the moonlight. The epic battle between Scar and Simba. It's all there. While Beauty and the Beast was nominated for Best Picture in 1991, the Best Animated Feature category didn't exist until 2002 for films released in 2001. However, The Lion King was recognized and awarded greatly for it's music. It was nominated for three original songs and original score and won 2 academy awards. Hans Zimmer has returned to remake his award winning original score for the film. And Tim Rice and Elton John have both returned for updates to their classic songs like Can You Feel the Love Tonight and Hakuna Matata.
While Favreau has promised to pay great tribute to the original 1994 film, the 2019 version will have it's own unique take on the classic story. In addition to the familiar images, and familiar songs, a very familiar voice will be returning as James Earl Jones will be providing the unmistakable deep, regal sound of Mufasa. He will be accompanied by an all-star cast of characters like Donald Glover as Simba, Beyonce Knowles as Nala, Seth Rogan as Pumba, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, and John Oliver as Zazu. Beyonce will also be collaborating with Elton John and Tim Rice for a new song in the movie.
Favreau really took the Disney remakes to a whole new level and set the bar of realism through the roof with his live action remake of The Jungle Book. But there's a difference in The Lion King. In fact, there's something different that makes The Lion King unique from all of the live action remakes to date: there's no live action in this one. In Jungle Book, Mowgli and a few small set pieces were the only things that were not created by a computer; but it was executed to near perfection earning a 4.5 Star rating in my review. In Favreau's Lion King, all of it was created by a computer. So critics are reluctant to call it live action, but Favreau doesn't want it to be called animation. Whatever you call it, it looks absolutely amazing. They might have to create a new category of awards for these types of realistic movies through computer graphics.
The Jungle Book earned an enthusiastic 4.5 Stars from me. In just a few years, the quality of animation has just gotten even more flawless and realistic and Favreau seems to be a master of bringing that world to life. I'm giving The Lion King 2019 a hopeful 5.0 Star Rating. I think it will compliment the 1994 animated film while standing alone as its own unique and modern classic. I think I will want to see it again in the theatres and immediately add this film to my home collection. So, am I right? We shall see.
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