WARNING: This review contains spoilers
In 1994, Disney added to their movie portfolio with a film that really does follow the old adage: there is no such thing as an original idea. The Lion King retells the story of Hamlet, but set in the animal kingdom. As a 90’s child, growing up this was one of my favourite films. So, understandably in 2019, when it was added to the list of ‘live action’ remakes Disney were producing, I was in two minds of exactly how good it would be. It was sold to the general public, at least according to social media, as a frame-by-frame remake of the much loved 1994 original movie. In the case of the opening ‘Circle of Life’ sequence, this is absolutely correct.
Something I believe Disney could not change – was the voice of Mufasa. The power James Earl Jones brings to role really would have been a loss if anyone else had taken his place. But I still hold questions over the decision to cast Beyoncé. Yes, this is a musical in some sense of the word but it has never been said that trained, professional singers need to fill the singing roles. I also feel that she is given a lot more lines than Nala ever had before, and she somehow becomes the lead lioness of the pride.
There is one thing, however, I cannot fault the remake on. And that is the animation. The animals look great and you cannot fault the scenery. Something you cannot do as well with 2D animation. But strangely this did bring me to a strange realisation.
Death of Mufasa
As we all know, with the Shakespearian style of the film, Mufasa is killed by his brother, Scar. As a child, and even a young adult, I found this the most emotional scene – in line with Land Before Time (I won’t spoil that one, it is worth a watch). Even in my 20s it would still make me cry. However, seeing the remake in the cinema – I was amazed that mine were the only dry eyes in the room.
On re-watch, I have realised why. In 1994, just like those of us watching at home, Simba cries. Now understandably, unless there is something the zoologists have since discovered, they do not make ‘real’ Simba cry. No one is really sure if lions can. But this weirdly took away some of the emotions from his cries for help for me.
It is also clear to see that this scene, along with the opening, is frame-by-frame – to a point. In the original, a helpless Zazu is flying around, while Mufasa is trying to save his son, and offers to go get help. To which Scar palms in to the rock behind them. This has been changed however, to Scar tells him to ‘get the pride’.
Timon, Pumbaa and the Hyenas
I have grouped these characters because they all serve, to all intents and purposes, the same role in both films. The comedy, the light relief.
It is quite interesting, that the original 1994 film does one thing that has been since popularised by such creations like Deadpool. Timon and Pumbaa break the Fourth Wall. For those that are unsure on the meaning, this is when the characters speak ‘directly’ to the viewing audience – like they are coming out of the film. In ‘Hakuna Matata’, they talk about Pumbaa’s flatulence, and politely Timon covers his mouth before he directly references it saying ‘Pumbaa, not in front of the kids’. Even Simba looks at the screen confused. However, in the remake – Timon allows him to say ‘farted’ to which Pumbaa questions why he didn’t stop him.
An important thing to mention however, in the pro-column for the newer movie, is that they do make Pumbaa a baby warthog for his flashback part of the song. To see the difference there does bring something better to the film as it does feel like he is telling a story from his childhood.
Also, we all know that Timon is the brains of the pair. But I feel it is very unfair that he makes that more obvious in the remake. Like blaming Pumbaa for Simba being upset when they laugh at his idea about the stars, when in the original he takes the blame himself.
Unfortunately, the majority of my feelings towards this part of the remake – falls largely in the cons column. I feel like Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner try a little too hard to be as funny as Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella. Of course, a lot of the blame can be laid at the door of the script writers for changes they felt needed to be made.
Also, part of them trying to be additionally funny could be due to some of the comedy being removed from the hyenas. Towards the start of the original movie, the hyenas are our first real piece of light relief – before Timon and Pumbaa even grace our screen. I understand the new wave of girl power that flows through todays community. And believe me as a woman I am all for it. However, Shenzi was always the leader of the hyenas, but they did not need to take away her funny side for this to show as true. Sometimes the way a woman can bust a man’s chops is more powerful than being detached and outwardly strong.
The Questionable Body-Shaming Statement
Now, along with the change in our current social atmosphere where we have become much more forward in recognising the contributions of women, we have also come to acknowledge a style of bullying that many are trying to fight against. Body Shaming. And it seems that Disney has decided to take its own stand against this, to remind kids that it is not ok. This is represented by Pumbaa’s reason for charging the hyenas in the new 2019 movie. Originally, they only ask ‘who’s the pig?’ turning Pumbaa into Robert Di Nero in Taxi Driver – ‘You talking to me?’ and stating ‘They call me Mr Pig!’
However in 2019, they refer to Pumbaa as chubby, which he immediately takes offense to. So much so that he even states ‘I may run from hyenas but I will never run from a bully’ For me, it feels a little misplaced – but all credit to Disney for raising the awareness.
Rafiki and Zazu
Two characters that I feel really had their roles drastically changed.
In my opinion, of course there are those out there that will disagree, it is Rafiki who gets Simba to return to Pride Rock to save them. He teaches him, and truly all of us, that you cannot run from the past – only learn from it. Something else gone, Rafiki only has his stick right towards the end of the movie, specifically for the fight against the hyenas.
Zazu, being ‘the King’s major DoMo’, unfortunately also seems to lose a lot of screen time. To some extent, he also one of our comedic characters – especially in interactions with Scar. I’m not sure if it was since deemed inappropriate for our younger audiences to watch Scar ‘eat’ Zazu before Mufasa’s arrival, but seeing his beak come out of his mouth always made me laugh.
‘Can you feel the love tonight?’ and ‘Spirit’
If I am completely honest, here lies my main issue with Beyoncé in the remake. I do not however, directly blame her. The agreement to have her own song added may have been an offer Disney made to her, and not an addenda her agent made to her contract on her behalf.
The voices in the original of Elton John’s ‘Can you feel the love tonight?’ complement each other unbelievably well – and truthfully, to an extent, I feel the same about Beyoncé and Donald Glover. However, and it may only be her singing style, but she overpowers him to such a degree that I feel like I’m listening to her album instead of watching a film. And I feel the same about ‘Spirit’. They deliberately extend a scene to fit the song in, removing the fact that Nala goes back to get Timon and Pumbaa for the final fight.
And Finally….
They will both always be an interesting retelling of the Shakespearian classic. I applaud Disney on the ‘live action’ remake as the animation really does bring a new idea to the film and its own style. But I also feel that this has been the reason so much of what is mentioned above is removed.
For the new generation of children growing up on Disney movies, I say go for it. You may be lucky enough to have no comparison. However, I feel I will always prefer the original movie.
