will only deliver if you can completely disregard the original

Rating: Null/10 (30 July 2019)

Not so much a live-action remake, but more of a photorealistic, CGI makeover of the animated feature about a lion cub born into royalty. Simba, the only son of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi, lives peacefully in the Pride Lands but is a bit too eager to prove his courage and ability to rule. Unfortunately for Simba, his embittered Uncle Scar has his own plans and will stop at nothing to take the throne. If you're capable of viewing this as a stand-alone feature (which isn't easy) then you can probably find some things to like about it...but--and it's simply unavoidable no matter how hard you try--when comparing it to the 1994 original it lacks the thrill, humor, and sheer emotional punch, despite some impressive visuals and a colorful assortment of vocal talents, including Jones whose reprise provides some much needed authority, along with Rogen and Eichner who seem perfectly cast. Unfortunately the spoken lines don't mesh well with the use of "live" animals, and the music doesn't resonate as well as it should. Despite any homages, in-jokes, or straight up replicas from the original film, the magic just isn't there; too much of the time it feels like watching a monotonous Animal Planet documentary. **