The Lion King (2019)

Disney's latest "live action" version of their animation classic The Lion King opens this week. I have to admit I was a bit skeptical approaching this having read some pretty nasty and negative reviews. But now that I have seen this, I am happy to report that this is a modern day cinema masterpiece!! Seldom have I seen a movie where every frame and scene looked and sounded so amazing. The CGI animation of the animals is unravelled and the best I have ever seen on screen. The animals looked so real and blends in with the real environment seamlessly. Many critics had complained about the lack of any facial emotions on the animals ... I shudder to imagine how bizarre it would look if the animation department were to have injected such facial expressions on the animals' faces as it would probably look more like a cartoon! Anyway "to each his own" and I am just glad I could enjoy this remake without being bogged down by this unacceptance.

Despite having many scenes looking like a frame for frame remake of the original animation, the enhanced visual spectacle, plus I dare say better versions of the original songs we all loved, made it feel like a whole new wondrous experience. There were even a few new songs in the mix, plus a cheeky reference to Beauty & the Beast's Be My Guest thrown in for a good laugh. The sounds of the jungle and action sequences sounded amazing and engaging in the Dolby Atmos soundtrack, as did the songs and music, which never sounded better.

I have now seen three different versions and interpretation of The Lion King: the original animation, the stage musical and now this "live action" remake. For me, this new version wins hands down as my favourite version of the timeless story and is THE one to remember. The stage musical was a mess and THAT was the version that lacked the emotional resonance, which ended up making it feel like just a money making excuse. This latest remake not only pays tribute to the original animation classic we all loved, but also serves as a showcase of how much CGI technology in cinema has evolved with its photorealistic and perfect finishing.