An Atrociously Abhorrent Abomination

Rating: Null/10 (18 October 2019)

An atrociously abhorrent abomination that butchers every little thing that was great about Disney's crowning achievement, this photorealistic remake of The Lion King ranks amongst the worst crimes ever committed on film canvas. Brought to life by the studio whose greed knows no bounds, this unnecessary & unwarranted turd is the latest in Disney's new-found formula for making billions dollars more by simply cashing in on viewers' nostalgia. And if its box-office gross is any indication, it won't be the last.
Devoid of heart, soul & creativity that made the original an undisputed masterpiece for all ages, this repugnant reiteration is a vomit-inducing version that sure looks pretty on the surface but is empty from within right down to the bottom. Had they superimposed the original audio recordings over its so-called realistic visuals, the result would still be a bit better than what the new voices, new scenes, new songs & new characters add to the final print. Everything feels off & out of sync about this one. Not a single thing clicks.
Now I've got nothing but appreciation for the hardworking visual effects artists, for they just did what they were paid to do. And they did an excellent job at it. But the filmmakers' decision to realistically portray the animals also strips these characters of all the heartfelt emotions & genuine expressions they illustrated so vibrantly in the original. Nothing that happens in this story evokes our feelings or tugs our heart, not even THAT scene. Even the carefree duo of Timon & Pumba come off as annoying & insufferable this time. Also, several dialogues are similar and yet they don't deliver the same impact.
Despite the longer runtime, there is a rushed feeling to it. The original characters exhibit no personality while new ones bring nothing fresh to the table. All its attempts at humour fall flat. The modifications in the music & songs department further ruin the viewing experience. And that Spirit song is so misplaced that it's actually facepalm-inducing. All in all, where the original basked in the rich imagery, limitless creativity, magical flair & pure escapism that the medium of animation provides, this visually striking yet emotionally bland & imaginatively bankrupt retelling offers a cinematic ride that can only be summed up as unforgivably cringeworthy.