Good the first time, GREAT the second

Rating: 9/10 (20 July 2019)

Firstly I was extremely nervous about the Lion King being remade right from its announcement. This film was one of my favourites as a kid and favourite right through our family, it has huge meaning to us so of course I was worried it wouldn't live up to the animated version.
The first time I watched it I was potentially over critical. I felt that it was missing something up until Timon and Pumba enter. My main criticism was that the lions do not have much facial expression. I get it's to be realistic but they needed a little more. The animated also always make me cry so I was expecting to ball at this...nope, I choked but no tears. Overall I thought it was good and worth a watch.
Going into it the second time I appreciated much more how amazing the graphics are, this "live" action that's completely cgi is breathtaking! I can only imagine that's how people felt when Walt Disney released Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Amazing achievement. This time I also connected much better, I wasn't comparing it I was just there to enjoy it. This time I cried, three times! I love the modern language in it and Timon and Pumba are undoubtedly the stars.
James Earl Jones was fantastic as Mufasa again, of course he was always going to be. All of the casting was spot on apart from Scar, I do feel Jeremy Irons will always be Scar as JEJ is Mufasa but then that's nostalgia for you. I do still feel the lions need more facial expressions but I didn't notice it so much the second time.
We as a family loved it and will certainly be watching it again, and again and again.
Long live the king!