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The new Lion King movie

31 replies

Snollygoster2019 · 27/07/2019 07:29

I saw this last night and - this feels almost like heresy given the money spent and other people who have enthused about it - but it’s not a patch on the original.

Apart from James Earl Jones, the voices were off, the singing wasn’t as good; they’ve made a near remake but it’s just not the same, yet it’s not different enough to be its own star version.

It’s watchable enough, and I nostalgically sang along with everything, but meh.

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MyMelodie · 27/07/2019 07:34

I'm not a fan of these live action remakes tbh, the beauty of the originals is in the animation. It just seems like a fast way for Disney to make money.

MrsGrindah · 27/07/2019 07:35

Me too! I did keep having to remind myself though that it wasn’t a real lion cub ( you know when I got a bit lip trembly!). DH wisely says we knew the story too well so there was no tension which is true. And I was disappointed that they didn’t sing Morning Report.

MrsGrindah · 27/07/2019 07:36

Also don’t know why people are raving over Beyonce being in it...she only had a handful of lines!

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Snollygoster2019 · 27/07/2019 07:37

Which part was Beyoncé?

And Scar was nowhere near as intimidating in voice or in looks.

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OrangeJustice · 27/07/2019 07:38

I enjoyed it but then I’ve not watched the original since I saw it with an ex boyfriends little brother when I was a 6th former circa 1996. For some reason it’s not one I’ve ever watched with the dc.

OrangeJustice · 27/07/2019 07:38

Beyoncé was Nala I think.

Binforky · 27/07/2019 07:39

I didn't like it. Visually it was amazing but the voices just sounded flat and dull and dont get me started on what they did to scar and his song. I was an odd kid and he was my favourite.

I thought I was just being old and over critical but my three children didn't like it much either.

Plus why was can you feel the love tonight clearly being sung in the day?

ExpletiveDelighted · 27/07/2019 07:42

I quite enjoyed it but I've never seen the original, only the stage version. The animals are so realistic it seems a bit weird when they talk.

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Snollygoster2019 · 27/07/2019 07:42

Oh yes, Scar’s song lost its power and menace.

I would say visually clever and technically brilliant. but not amazing

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MrsGrindah · 27/07/2019 07:48

Yes Beyoncé was the older Nala.

IceRebel · 27/07/2019 07:49

@ExpletiveDelighted, if you've never seen the original animated version, I would strongly encourage you to watch it. Grin

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Snollygoster2019 · 27/07/2019 07:50

Thanks @MrsGrindah.

The only voice I really loved was Seth Rogen.

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ExpletiveDelighted · 27/07/2019 07:51

I'm sure we've got the DVD, I've never been much of a Disney fan though so never seen lots of them.

tinyvulture · 27/07/2019 07:55

I loved it. But DD (7) opined that it is not as funny as the original...... Although overall she did prefer this one (she says).

LetsGoFlyAKiteee · 27/07/2019 11:56

It got better when Timone and Pumba arrived but was lacking so much. The ending also felt so rushed! No slow build up walk just up the rock I go..

Dowser · 27/07/2019 23:21

I really enjoyed it.
I never liked the pumba , Timon scenes in the stage play or original but felt they worked better in the new one.
Loved James Earl Jones S voice

Ginger1982 · 27/07/2019 23:24

Preferred Jeremy Irons voice as Scar and his song was definitely better in the original. I still cried though!

CheeseIsEverything · 28/07/2019 08:43

I adore the original film so was very nervous to watch this but you know what I actually enjoyed it.

I still prefer the original but I knew that was always going to be the case and there were a couple of things that disappointed me, scars don't being one of the biggest (I was a weird kid too and that was my favourite one).

But I enjoyed it in its own right. The visuals were fantastic especially the last battle scene between Simba and scar and I'd definitely watch it again.

I just went into to it thinking 'don't expect the exact same film' and I did honestly enjoy watching it.

Seth Rogan as pumba was brilliant.

CheeseIsEverything · 28/07/2019 08:43

Scars song*

AnguaUberwaldIronfoundersson · 28/07/2019 09:27

I couldn't have written it better myself OP. Totally agree with you in every way. The vocals left something to be desired (yeah I know, even Beyoncé!) and the only good bits for me were James Earl Jones, the beautiful cinematography and a couple of chuckles at Timon and Pumbaa

AudacityOfHope · 28/07/2019 09:29

We all preferred it to the original.

Corneliusmurphy · 28/07/2019 09:57

I thought visually it was stunning, the lions in particular were amazing.

But... it was basically identical to the ‘real’ one, the other live Disney films enhanced the stories I could basically say the lines along with this one.
Beyonce jarred a bit, every time she spoke I thought oo Beyonce rather than Nala. I also preferred Rowan Atkinson to John Oliver.

That said we took five kids, they all loved it and dp who has never seen the animation enjoyed it too. I had the lion king on video in the 90s and an obsessed niece I may just have seen it too often Grin

AlwaysOnAbloodyDiet · 28/07/2019 10:05

Scar had a black mane in the original.
I didn't find the new Scar evil or intimidating enough, due to the voice and the mane Sad

colourlessgreenidea · 28/07/2019 10:07

I was bored senseless. Ever so clever with the visual effects, but completely hollow.

Blowingthroughthejasmine · 28/07/2019 10:17

I cannot fathom why they stay so ridgedly close on live action remakes. So much better to have a few new scenes