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    Movie Review

    The Lion King stuns with photorealistic imagery, if not story

    Alex Bentley
    Jul 18, 2019 | 3:55 pm
    The Lion King stuns with photorealistic imagery, if not story
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    The screening notice for the new version of The Lion King strangely came with a plea for critics not to include any spoilers in their reviews. If that strikes you as an odd request, given that the original film is one of the most well-known stories of the past 30 years, you’re not alone. The only spoiler to be had is that the film, despite being 30 minutes longer than the original, is essentially a shot-for-shot remake.

     

    But that doesn’t mean that the film is not worth seeing. Unlike the legion of other Disney “live action” remakes, this version of The Lion King actually brings something new to the table. Director Jon Favreau utilized virtual reality to achieve a type of photorealism that heretofore has not been seen in movies. There are no actual animals or locations in the film, but the stunning imagery will have you second-guessing whether what you’re seeing is real or not.

     

    That means that Simba (JD McCrary as a cub, Donald Glover as an adult), Mufasa (James Earl Jones), Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), Nala (Shahadi Wright Joseph as a cub, Beyoncé as an adult), Zazu (John Oliver), Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), Timon (Billy Eichner), and more appear fully believable as animals, making Simba’s harrowing journey all the more intense. The realistic nature of the imagery turns certain elements even more menacing, a useful tool given the lack of surprises the story holds.

     

    The film does have a few other tricks up its sleeve. The extra length of the film mostly comes in the form of extensions of various scenes, giving certain characters a little more time to be fleshed out. Two memorable Pumbaa and Timon scenes from the original are given clever twists that draw even more laughs from the comic duo. The new Beyoncé song, “Spirit,” which is sure to be nominated for an Oscar, appears not in the closing credits but in the middle of the film, coming off as a superfluous addition rather than something organic.

     

    The one big trade-off from having ultra-realistic animals is that it’s actually a bit odd to watch them talking and singing. Cartoon characters have the freedom to be anthropomorphized, but “real” animals don’t form words with their mouths, and the effect can be jarring. The energy of the movie keeps this idea from being anything more than a minor distraction, but it’s there nonetheless.

     

    Most of the original five songs work just as well this time around, save for one notable exception. “Circle of Life” is inspiring and uplifting, “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Hakuna Matata” are bouncy and fun, and “Be Prepared,” even with new lyrics, is as ominous as ever. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” which was weird but effective in the first film, is accompanied by visuals that completely neuters its impact this time around.

     

    The new cast members are a mixed bag. Glover and Ejiofor add new dimensions to their characters, Jones is as effective as he was in the original, and Rogen and Eichner make their characters even funnier than they were before. Beyoncé is not bad, but her distinctive voice and runs she inserts into her singing make Nala feel like an extension of herself, not a true character.

     

    As is the case with most Disney remakes, there’s nothing necessary about the existence of the new version of The Lion King. Certain elements could have worked better, but the filmmakers went above and beyond in creating an immersive world for the characters to exist, and the classic story has never looked better.

    Baby Simba in The Lion King.

    Simba in The Lion King
      
    Photo courtesy of Walt Disney Studios
    Baby Simba in The Lion King.
    movies
    news/entertainment

    This Week's Hot Headlines

    Dallas sandwich shop specializing in po'boys spices up our top stories

    CultureMap Staff
    Jul 5, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Poboy Shop
    Kathy Tran
    Po'boys from PoBoy Shop

    Editor's note: The top Dallas news of the week is brimming with restaurant openings, from high-end po'boys to Chicago hot dogs. Catch up on our most popular stories below, then head to our event planner for 4th of July weekend fun.

    1. Sandwich shop with high-end po'boys to open in Dallas' Preston Center. A new shop specializing in po’boys is rolling into Dallas. Called The PoBoy Shop, it will open in Preston Center, in the former Yonkers Pizza space at 8421 Westchester Dr., with a target date of July 7.

    2. Chicago hot-dog chain Portillo's is coming in red hot to Grand Prairie. Hot dog king Portillo’s is coming to Grand Prairie. The Chicago-style street food chain is bringing its hot dogs and more to a new build location at 3102 S. SH 161, in the Epic West Towne Crossing at West Warrior Trail.

    3. Young couple open dream restaurant Donde Los Tacos in Oak Cliff Dallas. A mom-and-pop taqueria is open in a sweet spot in Oak Cliff. Called Donde los Tacos, it’s in the former gas station at 900 W. Davis St., in the triangle at Tyler Street, that was once home to the law offices of Dallas City Council member Chad West, where it opened in April.

     Donde Los Tacos Donde Los Tacos is now open in Oak Cliff. Photo courtesy of Donde Los Tacos  

    4. Rockin' new lakeside restaurant debuts at Grand Prairie marina. A lakeside restaurant has debuted in Grand Prairie just in time for the summer. Called Rockin’ S Bar and Grill, it’s a Cajun seafood spot on the Lynn Creek Marina, taking over the space at 5700 Lake Ridge Pkwy.

    5. Ruthie's Cafe in South Dallas opens new coffee bar and gathering spot. A new coffee bar has debuted in South Dallas, at Ruthie's Cafe, the restaurant located at 1632 Martin Luther King Blvd. #100. The restaurant added the coffee bar with a menu of coffee and espresso drinks in response to customer demand.

    most popular storiesopeningshot dogstacosoak-cliffsandwich shopsouth dallascoffeehot headlines
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