Movieman Madness: Cinema Spotlight VI - Jon Favreau (Part 10): "The Lion King"

I re-watched the original Lion King the night before watching the live-action remake. (I know that technically it's not live-action since everything from the settings and characters are created with computer generated effects but for the sake of this review, I'm calling live-action). The Lion King was another childhood movie I grew up watching in Spanish. I'd seen the sequels, spin-offs, sing-alongs, and television shows in English but never the original until that night. The animation is gorgeous, the songs are unforgettable, and the characters are memorable. Is it any wonder why it rank's high as one of Disney's best?

Zazu (John Oliver), Mufasa (James Earl Jones)
and young Simba (JD MnCrary).

With his live-action retelling of The Jungle Book outdoing the 1967 original, could Jon Favreau do the same with this Disney Masterpiece?

Meeting Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen).

Young Simba (JD McCrary) can't wait to be king of the Pride Lands like his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones, reprising his role from the original). His jealous Uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) forms an alliance with a pack of rogue hyenas and plot to kill the King and his son. The plan succeeds and while Simba survives, he's tricked into running away and is presumed dead. He is found by Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), a merrkat and warthog who introduce him to their carefree philosophy of Hakuna Matata. All grown-up Simba (Donald Glover) puts his past behind only for it to return in the form of his childhood friend Nala (Beyonce) and the wise baboon Rafiki (John Kani), reminding him of his rightful place as King.

Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and the hyenas.

If you were expecting something familiar but new like Favreau's The Jungle Book or Kenneth Branagh's Cinderella, this is isn't. The fact that the original isn't based on an existing material, the remake can't draw any inspiration and be its own movie. This version of The Lion King is a shot-for-shot copy that doesn't improve on the original or add anything new, outside of the special effects and a few minor details. Guy Ritchie's Aladdin, had a similar situation but provided plenty of energy to be a fun ride, and differentiate itself enough from the original.

Just lying around.

The visuals are amazing and the artists deserve all the praise they receive. It's very realistic like watching a Planet Earth documentary but what The Lion King is missing that made The Jungle Book work are the animal's expressions. Not a good sign when the dogs from the 101 Dalmatians remake display more emotion without the use of dialogue or computers. The voices have emotion but it means nothing if the faces remain deadpan. It doesn't help when the dialogue is reused word-for-word from the original and rushed without a moment's pause. The original songs are given new vocals; some are ear-warmingly pleasing like "I Just Can't Wait to be King" along with two new tracks (one by Beyonce in the background and the other at the end credits by Elton John). But just like with Aladdin, the scenes don't carry that same vibrant energy that can be done in animation, "Be Prepared" being the worst offender.

Reunited with Nala (Beyonce).

If there is silver lining, it's the side characters: John Oliver's Zazu, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa, and Keegan-Michael Key as a hyena are a delight. Of the few welcoming changes include Shenzi (Florence Kasumba) upgraded as leader of the hyenas, Zazu being more combatant, "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" is given a new rendition with a surprising finale and a reference to another Disney classic. The only moment in which the movie seemed to improve over the original is when Scar's treachery is revealed but outside of that, you're not missing much.

Worse of all, Favreau's signature flair is nowhere to be found. There is the recurring theme of fatherhood as seen with Simba and Mufasa, but this among many iconic scenes were handled better in the original. Was the movie's direction all Favreau's decision or did Disney prevent him from being creative like in that scene in Chef?

Come to think of it, Favreau already made his Lion King movie, with The Jungle Book. It takes place in the wild, the main character's father is murdered, he comes across some nonchalant friends with one of them being a wild boar, and returns to confront his father's killer in a fiery final fight. It even features a stampede with the villain watching from afar bearing a scar on his face.

Favreau's The Lion King, is a redundant remake, that's even more redundant when you realize what he achieved with The Jungle Book. It has visual splendor but lack's the sentiment spark of the original. In the words of Jay Sherman "Rent the classic!"

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