Good though less than the original

Rating: 7/10 (11 November 2019)

A photo-realistic animated remake of the original 1994 (traditionally) animated film: Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones), the reigning king of the Pride Lands, initiates his cub Simba (voiced by JD McCrary and Donald Glover) to the rules of royalty and prepare him to eventually be king. The lives of both Mufasa and Simba are in danger as Scar (voiced by Chiwetel Ejiofor), Mufasa's envious brother, is scheming to take over as the reigning monarch.
The original version is rightly esteemed as one of the best animated films of all time. A remake is almost always in an awkward position when compared with an original. I am among the few who believe that the live-action "Beauty and the Beast" was an improvement on the original. The updated "Lion King" is not in this position but it does have its good points.
The updated animation, thanks to modern technology, is magnificent. It has an effect that makes the film thrilling for the most part. While the showdown/finale was good, it didn't seem to live up to the quality of what preceded it. For one thing, Scar - at least in this version - is not one of the sharpest of Disney villains. The Scar of the original version was frightening in his deviousness.
Entertaining overall while creating a yearning to see the original again. - dbamateurcritic