The Lion King is a 2019 computer-generated film and remake of the 1994 Disney animated feature, telling the story of a lion cub who learns about courage and honor after the death of this father.
You’re going to see this movie. Of course you are. If you’re a fan of the original, you’re curious and no doubt want to see if the new film is better or at least holds up in comparison. If you’ve never seen the first, then you no doubt want to see what the fuss is about and maybe have a good time enjoying this new trend of ultra-realistic animated movies since its voice cast features some of the most recognized names of this generation. Either way, there are some things to consider and while movies are movies and it’s entirely subjective and okay for how anyone feels about their time with a film, it’s always good to get informed. Naturally, SPOILERS ahead.
The Story
The good news is that with the remake, the story is mostly untouched, the movie not really doing a frame-by-frame redo but rather a bit of extra coloring around the corners. It doesn’t miss a single iconic moment, instead, changing some of the dialogue here and there to give it a more modern edge, though even that’s not done to too much excess. There’s an amusing bit where Mufasa (voiced again by James Earl Jones) makes note of that shift in attitude and it’s sort of cute. That said, not all the tweaks work, the movie overdoing it a bit and extending moments beyond their punch limit, the whole thing really missing the mark where better editing could have really made this work better. This is most seen with Timon and Pumbaa, whose comedic timing is wonky at best.
Timon and Pumbaa
Perhaps the most memorable characters of the original film, the warthog and meerkat are back and this is a real mixed bag. Admittedly, the duo earn the two biggest laughs in the new movie, one a clever retuning of that famous bit with Timon in full luau, which is scrapped here for something obviously more authentic and actually gives a nod to another Disney remake concerning eating dinner. Timon is voiced by Billy Eichner and Pumbaa by Seth Rogen, and let’s be clear, Rogen was sort of born for the part. While Ernie Sabella‘s first take on the hog is much more frantic and chaotic, Rogen slips in nicely, having some fun with the well, gassy potential. It’s a different time. However, Eichner is no match for what Nathan Lane brought with the original Timon, Eichner’s performance almost bitter and very flat, having none of the snappy wit made so famous back in the day. If you have any connection with the first movie, it’s going to be disappointing.
The Animation
Here’s where things get truly hard to keep balance. This is an astonishingly good looking movie – as was the first, though for different reasons. This movie is committed to making absolutely everything photo realistic, it’s like a BBC wildlife documentary with the animals so authentic looking it’s nearly impossible to believe they aren’t real. It’s a curious choice to do so and one that has been at the forefront of the argument against this trend in redoing everything in this new style. The great thing about classic Disney movies is the colorful characters they produce and in stripping that layer of imagination away from the animators, we’re left with nothing but legit animals that can talk. That’s a thing that has never really worked well because animals just can’t express themselves as we do, leaving their flapping mouths completely unable to offer any personality to what they are saying. That’s bad all around in this movie and with a zany character like say Zazu (voiced by John Oliver), who is a bird with a big beak, it’s simply weird as the famously exasperated comedian’s good voicework is on screen with zero edge because all you can do with a beak (and sticking to the rules the movie is forced to play by) is open them and close them. It’s boring. It sucks all the fun out of the movie because no one has any ability to be well, funny.
The Music
You know Hans Zimmer even if this is the first time you’re reading his name. He’s behind some of the most memorable movie scores of the past few decades, including the original The Lion King, and thankfully, the filmmakers have used his music again, and it’s nothing short of magnificent to hear on the big screen again. From themes of majesty and honor to sweeping orchestral swings at your heart, this is one of the greatest collection of music ever made for a movie and you must go to the theater to be part of it again. It’s hands down the best reason.
Simba and Nala
Simba is of course, one of the most recognized animated characters ever made, or at least well known. The filmmakers in the remake understand this and to their credit, do him just right with the little cub the most expressive of the entire lot, and two spirited voice performances from JD McCrary as the young Simba and Donald Glover as the adult. The growth of the lion, philosophically most importantly, is crucial to the whole thing and while it doesn’t stray far from the original, is proven timeless here, with the animation and the voice actors delivering the most impact throughout. Glover’s work is in particular very good, steering away from Matthew Broderick‘s youthful and energetic take in the first for a more burdened edge here. And then there is Nala, Simba’s best friend as cubs and love interest as adults. There’s also good voice work from Shahadi Wright Joseph as the youngster and Beyonce as the grown cat, with the story expanding her entire role in the plot, which feels right and proper but isn’t as carefully handled, especially in a forced ending that really feels like something wedged into the story for some girl power. She’s a great character and it’s good to see her take some of the center stage, though it lacks the emotional thump it seems primed to deliver.
So there you go. The Lion King is causing quite a stir and it’s easy to see why once you give it a watch. Will it change plans for Disney in remaking more like this? Doubtful, but either way, this is a good time at the movies for what it is, not nearly the cultural landmark as the first, and maybe a bit too scary for some of the younger eyes it is intended for, yet worth a ticket. Enjoy.