With all the animation films produced, Disney has still got to be the king of the companies that produce them. Add to that the fact that the same company has and continues to remake those animated flicks into live-action, and we have "The Lion King" in the offing. Disney has recreated "The Jungle Book", "Beauty and the Beast", "Aladdin" and will release "Mulan" and will be making "The Little Mermaid" and " Jungle Book 2". When will the madness end?
From Disney Live Action, director Jon Favreau's all-new "The Lion King" journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba (JD McCrary) idolizes his father, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub's arrival. Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Mufasa's brother--and former heir to the throne--has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting In Simba's exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound fiends, Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and Timon (Billy Eichner), Simba (Danny Glover), now older, will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his.
Others to round out the cast are Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Alfre Woodard as Sarabi, John Oliver as Zazu, Shahadi Wright Joseph as Young Nala, Keegan-Michael Key as Kamari, Penny Johnson Jerald as Sarafina, Eric Andre as Azizi, Florence Kasumba as Shenzi and J. Lee as Hyena.
This was amazingly well directed by veteran Jon Favreau ("Bad Cop, Bad Cop" (TV movie) '98, "Smog" (TV movie) '99, "Made" '01, "Elf" '03, "Life on Parole" (TV movie) '03, "Zathura: A Space Adventure" '05, "Iron man" '08, "Iron Man 2" '10, "Cowboys & Aliens" '11, "Chef" '14, "The Jungle Book" '16) plus TV. This must've been a challenge to direct considering that it was all with voice overs--like an animated film, but it still is a live action and 100% animals and birds. Certainly Favreau, being an actor has to assist him when it comes to directing a film, however not imperative. It will be interesting to see how he does with "Jungle Book 2" which has been announced. It was executed well by writer Jeff Nathanson ("For Better or Worse" '95, "Speed 2: Cruise Control" '97, "Rush Hour 2" '01, "Catch Me If You Can" '02, "The Terminal" '04, "The Last Shot" '04, "Rush Hour 3" '07, "Tower Heist" '11, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" '17) plus TV, based on a story by Brenda Chapman, which is based on characters created by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton". Although this wasn't a perfect script, it was a nice send up of the original '94 version. There was a bit of choppiness and lack of continuity, but the way it was conveyed to its audience, was near perfection. Nathanson is a consummate writer, and I'm not sure what happed, but he will continue to impress us with his stories. The visual effects were impressively designed by MPC (Moving Picture Company). It always amazes me how they not only got those animals to talk, but how do they get the animals to sit, walk and run according to directing?
If you must see this, it has to be seen on the large screen considering the grandiose of the project. It's presented in an impressive IMAX version as well. It was well directed, photographed and definitely had an awesome ensemble cast that simply rocked! Grab the popcorn and enjoy.
Out of 4 Stars: 3 Rated: PG 118mins.
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