The Lion King (2019)

Disney has been on this kick as of late that since technology has greatly improved since the release of several of their original films that they would try to bring some to life. I believe it all started with Beauty And The Beast and in 2019 they moved on to another classic Disney film. In 1994, Disney would release what can be considered to be one of the greatest animated films in their arsenal in The Lion King. Fast forward 25 years later and they have decided to make it come alive in a live action film with CGI. While King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) celebrates the birth of his son ho is the rightful heir to the throne, his brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) sits in the background in jealousy waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When he does, he convinces young Simba (JD McCrary) that it was all his fault so he runs away never to return. Fast forward some years later and Simba (Donald Glover) is convinced to return to claim his rightful place and avenge his father. The film also stars Seth Rogen (Steve Jobs) as Pumbaa, John Oliver (The Smurfs) as Zazu, Beyoncé as Nala, Keegan-Michael Key (Keanu) as Kamari, Billy Eichner (Angry Birds) as Timon, Florence Kasumba (Black Panther) as Shenzi, Penny Johnson Jerald (24) as Sarafina, and the film was directed by Jon Favreau (Iron Man).

I hate to dog a movie right from the get go because I love to build up films a little only to deliver what I didn't like at the end. I am doing the opposite with this one because what are the rules of remaking a film nevermind a classic? I honestly feel that if you are going to remake a film, you need to bring something fresh to the table. Don't just say that you'll give them an emotionless live action film and just expect us to eat it all up and be happy. The thing that was great about the original was that they showed exactly what emotions they were going through so that would could understand the excitement or the hurt that they were going through. Basically they did absolutely nothing new to the film and if I wanted to I could go to a zoo or take a trip the African Safari and I could pretend that they were reenacting The Lion King. The only cool thing about the film was the fact that they got James Earl Jones to come back and voice Mufasa once again which was awesome. The other thing I didn't like was the look of Scar because in the original he looked like a Lion that was just a little shady and conniving. In this one, he looks like a rescue Lion that was abused by it's original owners and he certainly looked like he was no shape to take over a kingdom. I mean I think Nala could have stood a chance against Scar. I hate dogging the film, but this may have been a better film if they only did it better than they did with emotions if that makes any sense? The only plus side is that Seth Rogen absolutely knocked it out of the park as Pumbaa like he was the perfect person to play him. The film was crisp, great cinematography, but everything else just sets it back a bit to the point that this film gets a C+/B- (somewhere in there) for a final grade.