The Lion King (2019): A Dark, Beautiful, and Unnecessary Remake

Rating: 5.1/10

The Lion King (2019) brings the classic 1994 movie to another level visually with its new animation, but as a result the story is darker and less impactful due to the strangely realistic singing animals.

Highlights: 

• Beautifully realistic animation

• Great music

• Creative take on Hamlet

Lowlights: 

• Too realistic for talking animals

• A bit dark and scary (considering the young audience)

• Not enough Beyonce

You know what they say: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. A beautiful take on the classic Disney film The Lion King (1994), the only difference in the re-release is the animation. You can tell it was painstakingly created, but why was a "live-action" Lion King necessary in the first place? In the end, the emotional draw of the story is what makes the movie so great. However, the talking of the eerily realistic lions distracts from the plot and does not fit into the film. Making a movie more realistic is a great idea until you pair it with singing animals. Still, the "Hamlet" storyline shines in The Lion King, and the impeccable animation allows it to become darker and more electrifying. The scarier parts of the original movie (the elephant graveyard, hyenas) are amplified tenfold thanks to the animation and may be too much for young children. Although the film remains a tale of heart and family, I would stick to the original.

Did you watch the movie? Do you want more? Check out the original Lion King, starring Matthew Broderick and James Earl Jones.

Watch the trailer!