By Kim Davey | @KimDaveyLive | July 12 2019 12.00pm
Disney’s 2019 remake of The Lion King is pure joy.
The photo-realistic computer animated remake of the traditionally-animated 1994 film of the same name has all the heart, humor and same story beats as the original but with the new computer generated imagery you fall even more in love with the characters.
The visuals are absolutely stunning. You have to constantly remind yourself the animals are not real. From their fur blowing slightly in the wind to every muscle movement, you feel like you are right there with them in Africa itself.
The entire film takes you back to your childhood memories and gifts you with those same feelings of love, laughter, hope and joy.
It really is a pleasing experience.
Photo: Walt Disney Studios
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Directed by Jon Favreau, the remake stars the voices of Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, and John Oliver—with James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa.
Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner steal the show as Pumbaa and Timon in almost every scene. The original jokes are still there with a few additions, making the film that much more relevant to 2019.
Audiences were in fits of laughter throughout the film and that makes for ‘feel-good’ viewing.
Photo: Walt Disney Studios
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The film comes with the addition of a new song “Spirit” which features during a pivotal scene with Nala and will be featured on a companion album called The Lion King: The Gift, executive produced by Beyonce Knowles-Carter.
While the film runs half an hour longer than the original, apart from the new song, a little more of Nala’s character, and the loss of the campiness of the hyenas it is pretty much simply a remake of the original but with the new CGI technology.
But that is exactly what I wanted.
Don’t mess with what I know, what I love!
Disney knew this.
Those now adults who watched The Lion King as children and perhaps now have their own children, will be able to delight in their childhood memories while passing them on to the next generation. Disney would be unwise to mess too much with this nostelgia.
Overall, a most delightful film that brings you home and reminds you why we all love the movies. To escape, to be entertained and to remind us that in the end life is all about love.
The Lion King opens in theatres on July 19.
Kim Davey was born and raised in New Zealand and is now living her dream of TV hosting in Los Angeles, CA. Entrepreneur and Founder of SHESHINESON.COM and KIM DAVEY LIVE Kim enjoys inspiring and empowering others to follow their true calling in the arts.
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