The magic of movies is their ability to transports us from
our everyday existence into wondrous worlds we will never have the opportunity
to explore. These worlds are not limited to worlds outside of our solar system
but worlds within our own planet as well. They might take us somewhere in
history. They might take us 20,000 leagues under the sea. Or they might
transport us to the plains of Africa. Such is the case with THE LION KING.
Based on the animated feature from 1994, now 25 years in our
past, Disney has added this tale to their series of remakes that are “live
action” versions of older films. I use the quotes around this because while
this film looks live every single thing in it with the exception of a sunrise
sequence at the film’s opening was created inside of a computer. From the hair
in the lion’s manes to the twigs on the ground, everything was done this way.
If you’re not familiar with the story it’s a Shakespearean
tragedy in the works. Loyalty, betrayal, family murder and diabolical
manipulations in the royal court make up this story. The film opens with the
birth of Simba, the young cub of King Mufasa and Queen Sarabi. Held aloft by
baboon shaman Rafiki for all to hail only one member of the royal court is
missing. Scar, the brother of the king named so for the disfigurement on his
face, is lamenting the birth. He feels the throne is rightfully his and does
little to disguise his unhappiness.
Simba is a playful and inquisitive cub. He makes friends
with a lioness named Nala, another cub destined to be his queen though the two
think this could never happen. Scar plays on Simba’s inquisitive nature and
plots with the hyenas to lure him away from the pride and have them kill him.
They fail and he sets another plan in motion.
Creating a stampede of wildebeests Simba is nearly killed
until his father rescues him. Wounded while doing so he clings for life on a
ledge. Scar sees this as his chance and pushes his hands free killing him in
the fall. But Simba blames himself for the death of his father and Scar
encourages this belief, telling him to run away which he does.
On his journey Simba meets a warthog named Pumba and a
meerkat named Timon. They become fast friends and take him to their home where
Simba grows into a full sized lion. Time having passed Nala comes across Simba
and tells him he needs to come home. Scar has laid Simba’s homeland to waste
and is killing more than he should. The land is barren and the animals are
leaving. Only a true king can lead the land back to what it once was. But can
Simba find that strength and courage to do so or will Scar rule out?
There is a depth of story here that most animated features
don’t espouse to. And many that do fail to achieve the goal of being both a
story with some meat on it and entertaining at the same time. THE LION KING
achieves both of these goals and does so with so much emotion that you’ll find
yourself having a difficult time not cheering out loud for Simba or crying at
moments like Musafa’s death. Director Jon Favreau has taken the original film
and copied it nearly verbatim, adding tweaks here and there and giving it an
entire new look with the CGI animation.
That animation is amazing to look at. It’s difficult to
describe the intensity of the look of this film. As I said every image on
screen here from the backgrounds to the creatures are all done inside a
computer. And while CGI films of the past have offered some amazing visuals
this movie takes it to a whole other level. I can remember the first time I saw
MONSTERS INC. and was stunned at the hair on Sully moving in the wind. But this
is far beyond that. The animals move like real animals, the breeze moves
branches, the drops of rain that hit the ponds leave ringlets that expand out.
Every detail is meticulously planned and works here. As the movie progresses
you suddenly are in that world and believe you are watching reality as opposed
to animation. That is a stupendous achievement.
I’ll be honest, I wasn’t looking for this movie to impress
me that much. I still haven’t decided if the desire to alter Disney’s classic
films into CGI fests is a good or a bad move. Some have done well and others
have not been that impressive. This one though is one that needs to be seen. I
will say this. The animation here is so good that some of the scenes may be
disturbing for small children. So be prepared to talk to them about what takes
place. If you can do that then this film will hold their attention from start
to finish with no problems. My guess is that like me, you’ll add this one to
your shelf to watch not once or twice but repeatedly, enjoying every minute as
you do so.
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