The Lion King (2019) - Review

The Lion King (2019)

Almost 25 years later to the day Director Jon Favreau has brought back to the audiences of 2019 one of film history’s most celebrated and successful animation films in the Disney story “The Lion King”. Only in his new effort here we don’t have a new story to share but rather a bold and ambitious reimagining of the exact same story in the form of “Live Action” animation.

“Live Action” animation is simply explained as a combined form of cinematography and videography that uses photography instead of pure animation. An while “live action” video simulates the real world better than animation can, animation gives director and cinematographer the power to do far more than is possible in real life, all with the power of simply drawing. Got it?........... So the bottom line is this 2019 version,.......... the “$#it” looked real.

THE FILM’S PLOT (again):  Young Simba (JD McCrary) idolizes his father King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) and takes to heart his own royal destiny on the plains of Africa. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Mufasa's brother and former heir to the throne has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is soon ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in young Simba's exile. Now, with help from a curious pair of newfound friends in Pumbaa the Wart Hog (Seth Rogen) Timon the Mir Cat (Billy Eichner) young Simba must figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.

REVIEW: For a story I knew how it would end, the 2019 version held my attention throughout the 2:00 running time, minus the few minutes the annoying little adolescent  rug rat who kept kicking the back of my chair…………..but I digress. But the mandatory reason to see this story again in the theater is the extraordinary technological advancement of making these animals and the natural environment they reside in look amazingly real. It was simply exquisite and dazingly to look at. To see the detailed faint flicker of hair move from a subtle breeze would have you serious wondering is this fake or an episode of “Animal Planet”. In The Lion King, these details will both enthrall  and captivate you.

Kudos to most of the actors for bringing theses iconic characters back to life, especially Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner as the best buddy tandem of the Wart Hog and Mir Cat. They stole the film exuding a lot rich humor, warmth and acting chemistry.

On the other hand, Beyoncé portrayal as the mature Nala sounded more like someone simply reading lines. She came across flat and devoid of any emotional inflection in her voice which is a major requirement in any animation film -  to be able to project and inject authentic in the moment feelings and emotions.  With her, I didn’t hear it.

Also, I was a bit amused early on to hear the adult animals talking as if they were educated at Cambridge and Oxford Universities and the baby animals sounding as if they attended Geogetown Prep School. Sophistiicated eloquence and erudite cadences were not what I was epecting. But over time I find their banter and exchanges more in line with the overall story than anything particularly distracting.  

Rotten Tomato score has this film under water. But for me this 2019 “The Lion King” rises to the full challenge of retelling something old into something effectively new by way of a full throated fantastic and majestic piece of family viewing entertainment. It's absolutely gorgeous. It's absolutely colorful. It's absolutely lush. Its absolutely fun.  Jon Favreau's should take a bow for his visually stunning effort here.

So, “Hakuna Matata”……………aka “no worries” as this Lion King is well worth the cinematic safari trip to see again. 

3.50 Stars