Exceeded Expectations

Rating: 8/10 (19 July 2019)

Having read some of the reviews, I went into this expecting to be disappointed. Happily, I was anything but. It is a fresh but familiar take on the beloved original my children grew up with. That this is an incredibly gorgeous movie goes without saying. While it is true that the characters don't have the "human" range of emotional display that they do in the original, I really didn't find that to be much of a distraction or a deterrant, nor, apparently, did the many people in the theater sobbing, laughing, cheering, and humming along with the music. It's a very engaging movie.
If you're 100% committed to the original, and are looking for this to match up to it, yes, you will be somewhat dissappointed. If you are up for a funny, fresh and stunning take, you are in for a treat. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan as Timon and Pumbaa are worth price of admission alone!