BE PREPARED.

One of Disney’s most faithful attempts to recreate their animated films doesn’t seem to be looking for any new thoughts on the story of a young African lion cub who falls victim to his uncle’s murderous power grab.

Great effort and a lot of money have been spent on imitating the 1994 original as seen through a photorealistic lens in 3D. Technically dazzling but thoroughly empty, creatively speaking.

The most interesting part is trying to catch the details that separate the film from the original.

2019-U.S. Animated. 118 min. Color. Directed by Jon Favreau. Screenplay: Jeff Nathanson. Music: Hans Zimmer. Songs: ”Spirit” (Ilya Salmanzadeh, Labrinth, Beyoncé), ”Never Too Late” (Elton John, Tim Rice). Voices of Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé (Nala), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), Seth Rogen, Billy Eichner, Alfre Woodard, John Oliver, James Earl Jones, Amy Sedaris. 

Trivia: Co-produced by Favreau. There’s only one non-animated shot in the film, the opening sunrise. Followed by a prequel, Mufasa: The Lion King (2024).