90-second review: For a remake to be successful it has to have a reason for existing. And having the technology to make photorealistic animals and environments is almost reason enough for a remake of The Lion King to exist. However, instead of using the technology to tell a story, director Jon Favreau lets the technology dictate what he did. The result is less than inspiring.
Because the movie is essentially a shot for shot remake, making it “live-action” had to add something to it, which it doesn't. The times that it works is when the movement of the characters feel cartoonish — particularly the scenes with Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumba (Seth Rogen), which are the highlight of the film. It also helps that those scenes divert from the source material. Something that needed to happen way more. The actors recorded together, which allowed the dialogue to feel fresh and natural.
On the other hand, many of the scenes involving adult Simba (Donald Glover) and adult Nala (Beyoncé) fall completely fat without that same chemistry and dynamic style. Instead, they feel manufactured. Just look at “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” which ironically takes place in the daytime. It plays more like the background of a karaoke video than a pivotal emotional moment in the film.
The movie is nowhere the disaster that some have made it out to be. The photorealism largely doesn't work and at times — like the stampede scene — is a hinderence. That still doesn't stop it from having its moments. “Hakuna Matata” and “The Circle of Life” have as much impact as the original, but is that a reason for existing? The answer is a resounding no.
Where to watch The Lion King: In theaters now.
ADVERTISEMENT
Hey! I'm Karl. You can find me on Twitter here. I'm also a Tomatometer-approved critic.
💌 Sign up for our weekly email newsletter with movie recommendations available to stream.
ADVERTISEMENT
Wicked, the long-awaited adaptation of the smash Broadway musical, finally flies its way into theaters… Read More
No Other Land follows a Palestinian activist as he documents the destruction of his community… Read More
Based on William S. Burroughs novel of the same name, Queer follows an American expat's… Read More
TIFF 2024 | The Life of Chuck follows an enigmatic man starting as a surrealist… Read More
A pair of young Mormon missionaries find themselves at the center of a sinister plot… Read More
TIFF 2024 | Moving back and forth in their history, We Live In Time follows… Read More
Leave a Comment