The Lion King
Directed by Jon Favreau, “The Lion King “ is a live action remake of 1994’s Oscar winning iconic classic cartoon. My love for the original is strong so I was initially very skeptical about a new version, however, with its all star cast, magnificent visual effects and amazing musical score, Disney has hit a home run once again.
James Earl Jones returns to the big screen as Mufasa (YES!), the king of Pride Rock in Africa. He welcomes his own pride and joy, baby Simba who will one day inherit his father’s kingdom. Unfortunately, Mufasa’s brother Scar (voiced by Chiwetel Ejiofor) is both jealous and vengeful and has plans of his own to rule instead. Uncle Scar successfully plots to murder his own brother with the help of some evil and conniving hyenas. Feeling ashamed and guilty Simba takes Scars advice to “run and never come back”.
Simba (adult Simba voiced by Donald Glover) makes a new life for himself far from Pride Rock and makes some new carefree and hilarious friends, Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) who quickly steal the show with their comedy and fun music numbers.
Meanwhile back at Pride Rock, Scar and his gang of hyenas have destroyed the beautiful land and chased out all of the other animals. Rejecting Scar as their new king, the lionesses are beginning to starve. Nala (voiced by Beyonce Knowles-Carter) sets out on her own to find help. Not knowing Simba is still alive, she is shocked and thrilled to find him, as they were best friends before Simba left. They pick right back up where they left off those years ago and Nala immediately wants him to come back home to take his rightful place as King but he initially has no interest. The musical numbers between Simba and Nala (Glover and Beyonce) are off the chart (of course!).
Simba is eventually convinced to return home to take over and return peace and harmony to the circle of life. In the end, after a very exciting battle complete with a firey finish, good prevails over evil and all is right in the world again.
10 out of 10!
