The Lion King Remake-The Circle of Life #movie_review

The Circle of Life means that Every Old Movie is New Again!
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This is the summer of sequels and remakes with Disney jumping on the bandwagon with its remake of the cartoon hit- The Lion King. This time around the animals are “real” and the cinematography is outstanding. It will make you want to visit Africa to see the breathtaking area up close and personal.

​Featuring an amazing cast with the likes of Chiwetel Ejiofor, John Oliver, James Earl Jones, Alfre Woodard, Keegan-Michael Key, Seth Rogan and Beyonce and many of the original songs by Elton John, The Lion King has star power galore. However, the only returning cast member from the cartoon is James Earl Jones. 

​Since most of us have seen the original so many times that there’s little surprise or new entertainment value in this movie. Unlike The Jungle Book remake, The Lion King was a recent hit so it’s not really new to audiences. Most of the kids who fell in love with the cartoon don’t have children old enough yet to enjoy this new one. In fact, it’s one of the complaints from critics, this Lion King doesn’t feel fresh and lacks the sparkle of the original. Arguably it is hard to make the animals sing the songs. Their mouths just don’t move that way. Also contrary to what the cartoon showed, lion cubs don’t dance. Many of the songs feature animals walking around the Savannah rather than dancing. 

​Like with the original movie, the characters of Timon and Pumba steal the movie with their antics but additionally there are some pretty funny moments among a couple of the hyenas. With the real animals, the violence might be too much for young children. There were a few small children who left the movie before the movie was finished. As with any movie, know your children and what they are able to handle. Death is a part of the circle of life and seeing Mufasa die can leave a lasting impression.

​Directed and produced by Jon Favreau, the director of Ironman, The Jungle Book remake as well as the actor who played Happy in the Avengers’ and Ironman movies. Jon’s success with The Jungle Book made him seem like the perfect choice for this movie. And it’s been announced that he will direct and produce The Jungle Book 2. 

​The Lion King is a great family movie and one which will have you wishing you could travel to the Sahara and visit with some real lion cubs!