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The Lion King



The Lion King is a beautiful live action remake of the 1994 classic from Disney. While it roars resoundingly in certain aspects, it cowers in others.

First and foremost, the movie gives the audience exactly what they’re expecting. The plot is almost exactly the same (I’ll mention the few nugatory changes later) as the original, and the songs are pretty much verbatim; this is unlike Aladdin, for example, in which Disney has incorporated a modern twist to the remake.

The best part about maintaining the storyline is the nostalgia that it invokes in the audience’s minds, especially for those for whom the original is a fond childhood memory. This also creates a unique effect of dramatic irony, where the audience knows what is going to happen, while the characters don’t. The looming future events foreshadow what’s going on in the scene, making certain scenes much more emotionally moving (unlike the first time).

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Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures
Now, for the one main drawback of the film: the expressions. Recreating the original as a real-life version really loses out in this facet. The animated expressions (pun intended) and characteristic physical features of each of the original characters are missing - Scar’s sly and calculating eyes, or his gaunt face and black mane; Simba’s lively eyes and top tuft of fur; Mufasa’s thick, regal mane; and so on. In fact, in this one, the lions are barely distinguishable. The only difference between Scar and Mufasa is Scar’s slightly darker complexion and his (far from conspicuous) scar. When you think back to the original, you can picture each of the individual characters with ease. This isn’t the case for this one.

Nevertheless, the film is beautiful and very well-made. The visual effects and animation are just impeccable. It’s simply amazing how detailed and sharp the characters are, and how picturesque the landscapes created are. The movie is truly a treat for the eyes.

The only difference in the plot of the original and this one is that the dynamic between the hyenas and Scar has changed a bit. The music has been recreated brilliantly, thanks to Hans Zimmer; the soundtrack retains the essence (and lyrics) of its predecessor.

In conclusion, I definitely think that The Lion King is worth the watch. While it may not be as memorable as the original, it does remain true to it and has a charm of its own.

And, of course, I have to end with the beloved Swahili phrase - Hakuna Matata!

Image result for the lion king 2019
Courtesy of Walt Disney Pictures

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