THE LION KING
Voices of: Donald Glover, Beyonce, Chiwitel Ejiofor, James Earl Jones, John Oliver, John Kani, Alfre Woodard, J.D. Mc Crary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, Penny Johnson Jerald, Keegan- Michael Key, Eric Andre, Seth Rogan, Billy Eichner.
Directed by Jon Favreau.
This is the third of four Disney live-action versions of their classic animated films in 2019. It follows Dumbo, Aladdin and is to be followed by the second part of the Sleeping Beauty tale, Maleficent. The Lion King is directed by actor/Dir Jon Favreau who showed he could do this kind of Disney story well with his live-action adaptation some years earlier of The Jungle Book.
As regards audiences, the film opened in the United States and around the world with some record-breaking box office. It was also accompanied by, one might say, critical coolness. But it was also accompanied by some snarling trolling bloggers who enjoyed denouncing the film as inferior to the original and who enjoyed, it would seem even more, scoffingly denouncing the Disney company has motivated solely by greed in these remakes. Audiences, on the other hand, went to enjoy this new version, happy with memories of the original animation, and delighted to be reminded of it with live-action.
It should be said, however, that this film involves a lot of CGI, creating the world of Mufasa’s kingdom quite lavishly, an enormous range of animals, racing through the countryside, acknowledging Simba as the future Lion King.
For those millions who saw the original a quarter of a century ago and for those multi-millions who have seen it on television, cassettes, DVD, the story is more than familiar. So, unless this is the first time, characters are familiar, we remember the situations, we are immersed in the drama, relishing the comedy and looking forward to the songs by Elton John and Tim Rice – and here they are again.
There is a drama, of course, in the villainous Scar (from Jeremy Irons’ original deep intonations to the rather Shakespearean sinister voice of Chiwitel Ejiofor – and the plot of a brother killing a king and the young prince exiled is more than similar to Hamlet). Simba is misled and set up to go to the elephant graveyard with Nala. We are anxious as Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones again) goes to rescue his son with a sinister disaster.
There is also comedy, of course. Probably many in the audiences are looking forward to the appearance of Pumbaa and Timon – and will not be disappointed at their appearance and certainly not with their voices, Billy Eichner is Timon and Seth Rogan really enjoying himself and very funny as Pumbaar. And, again of course, they sing Hukana Matata -No Worries.
By the time Simba is shown to have grown up (along with the singing of Hukana Matata), his being voiced by Donald Glover and Nala voiced by Beyonce. And they will be asking Can’t You Feel the Love Tonight (which is actually filmed in daylight!). And everybody can join in The Lion Sleeps Tonight.
So, for most, the film will be enjoyable – but it does have the disadvantage of many harshly judging it in the light of the original. But it certainly is both bright and cheery at times and darkly sinister (a bit frightening for the little audiences) the times.
Some people enjoy contradictions, liking one and disliking the other – but why not enjoy both!
1. The popularity of the original film? The reception of the remake? Expectations of fans of the first film? A new audience?
2. Disney and live-action versions of their animated films? The quality of the CGI? The realism of the animals yet the possibilities for character and expression? The voice cast?
3. The popularity of the songs and their lyrics? Illustrating characters and action? Circle of Life, I Can’t Wait to Be King, Hakuna Matata, Be Prepared, The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Can You Feel the Love Tonight?
4. The visualising of the kingdom, African settings, the huge variety of animals, the realism of their presence, the stampedes, the philosophy of the Circle of Life, the acknowledgement of Simba?
5. The title, Mufassa as the Lion King, Regal, his wife, the birth of Simba? The monkey and the presentation of Simba to all the animals? Everyone present, the symbolic overtones of kingdoms?
6. Scar, the sinister presence, the tone of his voice and intonations, jealousy?
7. Zazu, his voice, British, bird, giving the news, his role in the kingdom, Scar and his despising him? His welcoming Simba back?
8. The drama, for adults the echoes of Hamlet, the king and his being murdered, his jealous brother taking over, this time the brother wooing the widow? Hamlet, the young prince, exiled, returning?
9. The relationship between father and son, the wisdom of the Father, the nature of the kingdom, the role of the king in giving, in care? Simba, his song, and his disobedience, Vanity, with Nala, being manipulated by Scar and going to the elephant grave? Hyenas and jackals? Mufasa coming to save his son?
10. Scar, the confrontation with Mufasa, climbing the mountains, Scar letting him fall? Scar reminding Simba of his guilt, telling him to flee?
11. The transition of mood, Pumbaa and Timon, warthog and meerkat, the comic voices and intonations, the down-to-earth jokes, the appearances of the two and their mannerisms, Hakuna Matata, the worries philosophy of life? Simba caught up in this atmosphere, learning to play? His growing bigger?
12. The kingdom, the tyranny of Scar, hyenas and jackals, impoverishing the kingdom, the widow, now older growing up, trying to defy Scar? Scar wooing the widow again?
13. Nala, leaving the kingdom, the encounter with Simba, playful, jokes, persuading him to return? Zazu and welcome? Pumbaa and timon accompanying Simba?
14. The buildup to the confrontation, the fight, Scar and his harsh statements on his followers? His falling, the animals rebelling and destroying Scar?
15. Restoration of the kingdom, the birth of a new baby, the monkey in his role and holding him up? Happy ending for all the characters – and for
the audience?
