A One Mann’s Movies review of “The Lion King” (2019).
So, I seem to have had a run on catching up with my live action Disney films of late (I also saw “Dumbo” but have had no time yet to write my review). Here now is the live-action version of the prize coronation mug sitting on Disney’s shelf of trinkets: The Lion King.
Bob the Movie Man’s Rating:
Certification:
UK: PG; US: PG.
Astonishing graphics.
I mentioned in my review of “Toy Story 4” that in comparing it with TS1, it ably demonstrated that Moore’s Law of computing power must still be at least holding reasonably true. Here is another case in point. Technically, this is nothing short of astonishing. It’s almost impossible to believe that what you are seeing is computer animated. Every mouse, lion and cheetah so vibrantly and perfectly visualised. That first sight of Simba draws an audible “Awwww” from the audience.
The pièce de résistance of the film is the first 4 minutes, reproducing with “live” animals the “tribute scene” to the young Simba. It’s visually and aurally gorgeous in every way, and worth seeing the film for in its own right.
Kids ALWAYS think they know best. Simba and Mufasa. (Source: Disney).
Real lions don’t sing.
In “Dumbo”, an OBVIOUS error is that ONLY mice and crows can talk to elephants – not humans! So here, it is distinctly unsettling that ‘real life’ animals can speak and sing. It’s also inevitable that the animation of eyes and mouth, present in the original version, saps the scenes somewhat of emotion.
Then and now. Impossible to animate eyes like you can in a cartoon. (Source: Disney).
I’d heard this mantra repeatedly in the critic reviews I’d seen, so was honestly bracing myself for the worst. In reality, it had less of an impact than I was expecting it to, and although never moved to tears at any point, the scenes that were supposed to be moving… were.
Beyonce? Really?
As with the recent “Aladdin” remake, I found many of the songs distinctly underwhelming. “I just can’t wait to be king” lacked the energy and verve of the original, and Chiwetel Ejiofor went the “full Rex Harrison” on “Be Prepared”. So much so that the term “song” might be a misnomer.
Above all “Can you Feel the Love Tonight?” was one of Elton John and Tim Rice‘s most beautiful songs from the original soundtrack. Yet, although not savaged by Donald Glover and Beyoncé (playing Simba and Nala), they at the very least give it a good mauling.
The score by Hans Zimmer is lusciously produced. There is a new song added as “Best-Song” fodder for the upcoming Oscar nominations. This is “Spirit” by Beyoncé, although it failed to stir mine in any way. But the best new song on the soundtrack for me was Elton John‘s offering – “Never Too Late” – during the end titles. Complete with African instruments and vocals, it is both cracking and very stirring.
Simba meets Timon and Pumbaa: the point where the movie picked up a bit. (Source: Disney).
“Aren’t you going to stop me?”
As indeed happened in the original movie, the introduction of Timon and Pumbaa adds some much needed energy and humour. Played by Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen respectively, director Jon Favreau encouraged the pair to ad lib many of their scenes. And it shows. There’s a lot more fun to be had in there than all Will Smith‘s genie scenes in “Aladdin“. In particular, the famous “breaking the fourth wall” moment in “Hakuna Matata” I found priceless, and made me howl with laughter.
Hakuna Matata – a highspot of the film. (Source: Disney).
Elsewhere vocally, James Earl Jones is back as Mufasa and in so doing makes you concious that there is noone in the world who could perform that role better. The best performance of the rest of the cast, for me, came from “Black Panther’s” Florence Kasumba as the leader of the hyena pack, Shenzi. She venomously spits her lines our quite wonderfully.
TV pundit John Oliver is an interesting choice as Zazu, but didn’t nail it for me. I personally missed Rowan Atkinson in that part. Likewise, comparison between Chiwetel Ejiofor and Jeremy Irons as Scar is hardly fair. I’d rate Irons as one of the top 5 vocal performances of any Disney film of all time.
Dark… but not “Irons” dark. Scar and new friends. (Source: Disney).
Final thoughts.
For me, the word that keeps floating to the top of these live action remakes is “pointless”. Why try, other than to fill Disney coffers? (Which I guess is the producer’s point!) And my opinion hasn’t changed after this. I still think its a rather pointless exercise, particularly in this case where there is no human cast.
With these things, I always think of Jim Carrey‘s cry at the end of his version of “I am the Walrus”. He screams “There, I did it. I defiled a timeless piece of art”. Jon Favreau can at least sleep happy (sic) in his bed content that he hasn’t managed to do that. I can’t say I was horrified by this one, because I wasn’t. It was majestic, entertaining, technically superb and certainly had its moments.
The acid test for me would be “would I go and see that again”. And in this case the answer would be “yes”.
Trailer:
The trailer is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TavVZMewpY.
I agree with you when you say that the almost life like animals singing and dancing, didn’t look right. I didn’t like that element either, nor the lack of facial expression. To me, it was as if the soundtrack and lines from the original film, were being played over a wildlife documentary. It was very weird!
Great Review!
Why thanks Karen! Appreciate the comment.