"Remember Who You Are"

Rating: 10/10 (19 July 2019)

It was 25 years ago that I witnessed what would become one of the most important films I would ever watch. "The Lion King" to me was more than just a movie, it was an experience. The breathtaking animation, the catchy songs, the memorable and lovable characters, the beautiful underscore, and an epic story that took reference from Biblical and Shakespearian sources (the tales of Joseph, Moses, and especially Hamlet in particular). My love of all things Disney can trace itself back to this film and the animated classic continues to bring me joy, laughter, and tears every time I sit down to watch it. When I heard that the film would be getting a new photorealistic CGI remake, I was excited but also nervous. How do you go about perfecting what to many is already a perfect story? The short answer is: you don't. Director Jon Favreau holds the original classic in high regard as this new adaption is quite beholden to it. If you are afraid of any major changes or grand twists to the story such as those found in the recent adaptations of "Alice in Wonderland" or "Maleficent", you needn't worry. This is a faithful reimagining much like the recent remakes of "Aladdin", "The Jungle Book", and "Beauty and the Beast" complete with all the songs you know and love and an A-List cast of actors to portray our favorite characters. Watching the film unfold is akin to experiencing the wildlife, environments, and majesty of the African savannah play out before your very eyes. The visuals are stunning, and it is an absolute wonder to behold how far computer-generated imagery has come. The actors chosen to inhabit their roles fit their characters perfectly. The standouts for me in particular were J.D. McCrary as Young Simba (channeling the same youthful exuberance, impetuousness, and emotion of Johnathan Taylor Thomas before him), Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as the comedic duo Timon and Pumbaa (who while taking cues from the animated classic still manage to make the roles their own to hilarious results) and returning cast member James Earl Jones as the mighty Mufasa who brings the same gravitas, warmth, and presence he brought to the original story a quarter century prior. While this film does beg the question of its existence if it isn't going to bring anything new to the table, the eye-pleasing visuals, epic untouched story, and memorable characters are still worth the price of admission alone. "The Lion King" is a story in the tradition of classic epics that will continue to be retold and reimagined in many different formats far beyond our lives, and will continue to entertain for generations to come.