Whether it’s Homer, Shakespeare, Milton, or tales from world mythology, classic stories told in a fresh way will always resonate with audiences. So it’s no surprise that Jon Favreau’s live action? / CGI? feature remake of the beloved 1990’s animated tale works.
Important messages of fulfilling your destiny, the importance of family, and how we are all connected in the “circle of life,” are relevant and timely.
Already having proved himself with THE JUNGLE BOOK, I think everyone can agree, Favreau’s execution of the photorealism is unsurpassed, and visually stunning. To think the same amount of detail and verisimilitude will be applied to human performances, could be seen as exciting or unnerving. But if there is one rule in this world, it’s change.
Granted, rendering things realistic means that facial expressions of the animals are flat, and their dedication to grounding the material means we lose some of the formalism and style of the original in this translation, but it’s still worth a trip to the theater to see a realistic LION KING.
The story is a bit too safe and similar to the original for some, but when it strays, it usually works. An exception here is when they cut down BE PREPARED. Be prepared to miss the singing hyenas.
James Earl Jones’s iconic and booming voice as Mufasa is a delight, and his death, rendered realistic, I found extremely sad to watch. I’m a fan of Chiwetel Ejiofor, but his Scar was. . . fine.
Donald Glover, and Queen B are phenomenal. Singing, “Can you feel the love tonight,” during the day is an odd choice, but the chemistry between the voices of Glover and Beyonce is undeniable.
Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner steal the scenes they are in, as the comedic beats are some of the strongest elements of the movie. John Oliver delivering the news as Zazu was inspired.
The final battle, surrounded by flames and a fiery inferno was nothing short of epic.
Beyonce’s additional track, SPIRIT was a great montage moment, and I can’t wait to watch her music video after posting this. *Insert plug for her new music video here.*
Regarding the element of sound, in my screening, it was too low. I don’t know if I was seated too far back, or if it was the theater, or the movie, but they needed to turn that sound up! When the first notes ring out from the African savannah, they should be booming, and I shouldn’t have to think, “Oh, gosh, that’s low. Can you sing louder, please?”
Oh, and the fact Steve Antin went to the same screening, albeit with better seats, I thought was pretty cool.
It’s a good movie, and I’d give it an A-, or a B+.
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