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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

    Death of Dallas Caramel Company founder leads week's most-read stories

    Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Jun 14, 2025 | 10:00 am
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company
    Dallas Caramel Company

    Editor's note: It was a newsy week in Dallas. Sadly, the founder of a Dallas sweets company passed away; there was also news of a new gourmet European market in the works and peach cobbler coming to DFW Airport. Here's a chance to get caught up on the week's most-read stories, and here's help planning a fun weekend.

    1. Dallas Caramel Company founder Rain McDermott dies at 52. Dallas entrepreneur Rain McDermott, who founded artisan caramel maker Dallas Caramel Company when she was only 34 years old, died after a battle with breast cancer; she was 52.

    2. Gourmet European Market to open in north Dallas with pierogi and more. A new food shop with a distinct European flair is coming to Dallas: Called Gourmet European Market, it's opening at 17435 Preston Rd., in a shopping center south of Frankford Road, where it will feature food products from all over Europe but with a special focus on the Eastern European countries of Poland, Germany, Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Israel, and Bulgaria.

    Gourmet European Market Polish gingerbreadPolish gingerbread at Gourmet European Market.Photo courtesy of GEM

    3. Chef and caterer opens Southern to-go cafe south of Dallas. A chef and caterer has opened an eponymous to-go cafe south of Dallas: Called The Cedric Frazier Experience, it’s an upscale soul food kitchen located at 103 Waller St., in Red Oak, where it opened on June 7.

    4. Dallas cuts slack on senior homeowners with new property tax exemption. Dallas seniors who own a home got cut a break: On June 11, the Dallas City Council approved additional property tax relief for senior and disabled homeowners by increasing the city’s property tax exemption for residents who are 65 or older or disabled.

    5. Peach cobbler concept to open 2 locations at Dallas-Fort Worth Airport. Southern desserts are coming to Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): The Peach Cobbler Factory, a chain based in North Carolina, will open not one but two locations at the airport. The first DFW location will open in Terminal D in late 2025; a second location will open in the new Terminal C Pier in 2026.

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    news/entertainment

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