Just a pale reflection of the original

Rating: 2/10 (13 July 2019)

I was 28 years old when I saw the original film in the theater and I had a 2yr old child, so the original films theme of the circle of life and passing on values to the next generation really hit home for me at the time. I remember choking back tears when Mufasa died and feeling a father's pride (no pun intended) and hope at Simba's ascension to his rightful place at the end. In short the story resonated and drew me in in such an unexpected way and I've loved that film ever since.
So when I got a chance to see a screening of this live-action remake I jumped at the chance. I couldn't wait to re-experience it in a new way. Unfortunately, I came away very disappointed. The story is the same, but it's told in such an uninspiring, bland way that I found myself bored and yawning halfway through it. I don't think the live action has the power to draw you in emotionally the way the animation does. It's tough to get a live animal to convey emotions I guess. I just didn't feel this film lived up the the original in nearly any way. I'm glad I got a free screening, but I'm happy I didn't have to pay full theater price for it too.
This might be a good movie for someone who's never seen the original (or even the live play), but I can't imagine it having the same impact.