The Lion King

The Lion King

Starring Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, James Earl Jones

Directed by Jon Favreau

The Story:
In the Pride Lands of Africa, a family of lions rule over the land, led by the gentle and caring Mufasa (James Earl Jones), who sets out to protect his lands and not rule with an iron fist.  His young cub Simba (JD McCrary) is crowned the future king, to the anger of Mufasa's brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), who desires to rule himself.  As Mufasa teaches Simba what it means to be a real king, Scar tricks Simba to find himself in a dangerous situation, leading Mufasa to save him and leading to Mufasa's death at the hands of Scar.  Simba - thinking Mufasa's death was on him - is told by Scar to leave and never return, which he does.

In exile, Simba meets meerkat Timon (Billy Eichner) and warthog Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), who teach the young cub the importance of forgetting the past and living a life of no cares or worries.  The years go by, and Simba (Donald Glover) - now fully grown - is content with living this new peaceful way of life, until his childhood friend Nala (Beyonce Knowles-Carter) stumbles upon him and tells him that Scar is ruling with an iron fist, threatening to destroy everything Mufasa spent his life creating.  Simba struggles with his past mistakes and must come to terms with being the lion he really is in order to stop Scar and restore peace and balance to the Pride Lands.

The Synopsis:
Disney has existed for decades, and while they got a vastly impressive animated library, few are as beloved to today's generations as the 1994 "The Lion King," which also was pretty much the final original hand-drawn animated film, since "Toy Story" came out a few months afterward, introducing the world to computer animated animations.  The film - which is basically a re-telling of the classic Shakespearean play "Hamlet" featuring lions instead of humans - was heralded for its compelling story, caring characters, memorable songs, and that one soul-crushing moment that left an indelible imprint on every young (and young at heart) person watching it.

As Disney announced it was going to make a "live action" version of the film ("live action" in quotes because it's CGI, as if was done with actual lions and animals they would've probably not acted as well), it was met with a more cynical eye than other films they've made live action, because the original was still fresh in the memories of those who saw it, and who feel that nothing can compare to the original.  Seeing the film in the wholeness of what it is, I can say that I very much enjoyed myself and found myself as moved as I was after seeing the original, but I can also see the point as to why people feel this is a soulless cash grab - but being that it's Disney doing it, I don't think they did it simply for the money.

The biggest flaw the film has from most people is that it's nothing more than a shadow of its original, which is somewhat unfair to compare the two - although it's easy to do.  While not a shot-for-shot remake, it did come pretty close to being just that, but it also provides enough new material (the film is thirty minutes longer than the original) that prevents it from just being a wasted effort.  I was as moved as I was after seeing the original, both in sadness and joy, and to me, the film reminded me of my childhood and gave me fond memories and left me with a big smile on my face.

The film's biggest strength lies in its effects, using groundbreaking CGI to make the animals (and the entire setting itself) look so realistic you'd think you were watching a Disneynature documentary until the animals start talking.  The opening sequence of Simba being hailed as the next king was as beautiful as anything rendered to screen, and careful attention was given to the most minuscule detail - from the beetles to the fur blowing in the wind, each moment was filmed with acute clarity and careful precision, like an expert surgeon making the most delicate of cuts.  The lions are as majestic as ever, and it made me really, really, really want a pet Simba of my own - even though it'd grow up and probably eat me.

The vocal performances were on the money all around, with maybe the exception of Beyonce Knowles-Carter, who voices the older Nala.  It's nothing against the diva, but she takes away from the real moments in the film because of her voice alone - you know this is Queen B talking, despite it coming out of the mouth of a lion.  Nothing against her, but it actually might've been better if it came from a relative unknown voice.  On the flip side, James Earl Jones returns to voice Mufasa (which, of course, no one else in the world could've accomplished), and you can tell that he once again envelops everything it means to be Mufasa, as well as adding in the wealth of added years of experience to the voice, that makes him an even stronger character than before.

Donald Glover does an admirable job as older Simba, but young JD McCrary gives Simba his heart as a youngster.  He gives his voice a youthful innocence as he playfully tries to wake his dad so they could go exploring, adds in a defiant stance when he's told he can't go to the shadow lands, and, most crushingly, expressing the shattering loss of a parent which - like the original - had me in tears.

Chiwetel Ejiofor gives Scar a more psychological feel to Jeremy Irons' original, giving the character a deeper method to his madness, and in a sense in his own mind making him feel like the hero of the story, even though he's clearly the villain.  His motives here are more out of jealousy, unfairness, and a sheer contempt for anyone other than himself, and Ejiofor plays him with those caveats in regard.

Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are the standout vocal stars as Timon and Pumbaa, who play off one another more like an old married couple than lifelong friends.  They truly epitomize their signature song "Hakuna Matata" by living a carefree lifestyle free from responsibility and is the much-needed comedic relief to such an overly dark film for a kids movie.  Rogen in particular shines as Pumbaa, and - much like the visuals - is the biggest praise most critics give the film, along with myself as well.

The film gives uplifting messages about what it really means to be a king (not about what they can take, but what they can give), gives us comfort that those who aren't here physically still aren't totally gone, the value of remembering who you really are, and finding worth in yourself.  The songs add to these tender moments, once again delivered brilliantly by the actors, and all encompasses with a surge in your soul that everything will be alright.  These values are important to remember, as well as remembering who you really are.

The musical numbers are as catchy and memorable as ever, and found myself singing along like I did back all those years ago.  However, it's more than just the songs that made the film, but the musical score in its entirety that really added depth to the story.  The wildebeest stampede was all the more potent with the soul-crushing beats of the music added to it which made it all the more painful, but on the flip side the lighthearted and happily emotional moments were also heightened by the perfect score as well - making the film truly a feast for the eyes and ears as well.

The main emphasis the film makes concerns the circle of life, and Disney once again manages to make it hit home more than it originally intended with the release of this remake 25 years after the original.  Those who were kids back in 1994 who saw it with their parents are now parents themselves, and get to witness the film once again but with the added emotion of bringing their own children to the film as well - thus completing a personal circle of life that adds a personally emotional bond that can't easily be reviewed, but something that will never be forgotten. 

The Summary:
If you don't compare this to the original, you'll find "The Lion King" to be a fully satisfying live-action remake, filled with great vocal performances, an emotional story, moving songs, and some of the most beautiful visuals you've seen on screen in a long time.

The Score: A