Didn't disappoint

Rating: 10/10 (29 July 2019)

29 July 2019
Second Film of Choice at The Plaza Dorchester Tonight - The Lion King. It's been a year of live action remakes for Disney, first we had Dumbo, then Aladdin. This third outing brings us that world stage and screen phenomenon The Lion King. I heard a discernible intake of breath as those iconic first notes of Circle of Life burst out on the surround sound and felt rather than saw the settling of bottoms on seats as people made themselves comfortable to watch this newest version of the classic film. We were not disappointed. As in Jungle book, it was a little strange at first to see the animals talking in a live action film but I found myself very quickly drawn into the story and forgot I was watching something so lifelike yet fake. The animation was incredible. The voices well suited to the animals, if I had to make one complaint it was the lack of Rowan Atkinson as Zazu. My favourite scenes had to be the ones that included Timoon and Pumba, somehow they transferred their cartoon versions into lifelike real creatures and as with the lions and the hyenas the close up of their eyes were beautiful, enabling you to read real emotion in them. The audience ranged from about 5 to 85 and there was even applause when it ended. Totally worth waiting for.