There is no business like show business!

Rating: 7/10 (22 July 2019)

"There is no business like show business" to quote Irving Berlin is soundly befitting of these times in cinema. Fast cars, Toys that talk, Prehistoric animals are cash cows for production houses. Its taken 25 years, yes 25, for Disney's animation classic The Lion King to do a full circle and grace us with its re-invented presence. One might say, it is the "Circle of Life".
25 Years later, from VCR to VR, The Lion King is a visual masterpiece. Director Jon Favreau (Jungle Book 2016) is leaving no rock unturned on this one. The recreation of the Savanna, Pride rock, Rafiki's Tree and those characters close to our hearts elicits nothing but awe and wonderment. The rising sun over the savanna and the opening soundtrack "Circle of Life/Nants' Ingonyama" and the immaculate attention to detail in the astute recreation of the 1994 megahit that remains the highest earning G-rated movie of all time is the pinnacle of the VR fueled marvel. Nails gripping the armrests and tear filled eyes awakens nostalgia of a childhood of a then 10-year-old. The bar is now set.
Reprising the powerful role of the murdered King, James Earl Jones as Mufasa is joined at the helm of Pride Rock with Chiwetel Ejiofor(Scar), Donald Glover(Simba), Beyoncé(Nala), Billy Eichner(Timon), Seth Rogen(Pumbaa) and John Oliver(Zazu). If you were between the age of 6-10 in 1994, these characters are etched in your memory and Simba's adventure requires no synopsis. It is now safe to assume that a majority of any audience is viewing a re-make whilst the bubbly younger generation is witnessing Simba's story for the first time. Re-makes are always a risky business.
"Timon and Pumbaa, you learn to love them" is the infamous quote that should resonate in your mind if you have memorized the original as this reinvention lacks heart. Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner saves Simba in more ways than just one. Running approximately 30 minutes longer than the animation original, the duo keeps the story alive and buoyant and does absolute justice and fills in for the void left by the absence of Rowan Atkinson as Zazu. John Oliver is tasked with big shoes to fill and fill them he did not.
Verdict: The visuals alone unquestionably justifies the remake. The soundtrack personifies heart. It is "The Lion King" how can you not love it?
Enough Said. A Must Watch!
Written by: Troy Manatunga. Title: The Lion King. Directed by: Jon Favreau. Starring: James Earl Jones, Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Alfred Woodard and Seth Rogen.. Runtime: 1Hour 58mins. Rating: 07/10