The Lion King Brings Back Childhood Memories at a Cost
Twenty five years after the release of the original, animated classic, Disney updated the story for a new generation as a computer-animated version. The original film was first released in 1994 and was a huge box office success, receiving almost a billion dollars at the box office. The remake was released on July 12 and has received as much revenue as its predecessor has with expectations to make more.
The plot of the movie is the same as the first one, telling the story of Simba, a young Lion cub living in Africa who is the heir to the throne who must learn to be a strong leader for his pride. After tragedy strikes, it is up to Simba to protect his friends and family and learn what it means to be king in the animal kingdom.
The film features the talents of Grammy Award winners Donald Glover and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, which added to the expectations that the movie would be a blockbuster summer hit. However, the movie has received an average of a “C” rating on most critic platforms. Many audience members complain that the film was pale in comparison towards the original, lacking most of the magic that had made “The Lion King” appealing. While the cinematography was praised, the acting and storyline were criticized, explaining that the movie was unnecessary and brought nothing new to the story.
However, I was not disappointed by the film. Being a both a film buff and Disney fan, I thought that the movie was able to update the story and connect both new and old fans. The point of the film was not to compete with the original; instead it was to inspire a new audience and help reach younger generations. The theater I saw it in was full of people of all ages. Some had never seen the original while others had been faithful to the movie since birth. Despite this, everyone was singing along to familiar songs and laughing at new jokes, provided by Rogen and Eichner. The film received applause at the end, which is a rarity in movie theaters nowadays, and I believe it deserved every clap.
While many fans of the original are skeptical, the film is an altogether must-see for a family-friendly time. It brings a familiar crowd back to the theaters and allows them to delve into their childhood selves. Head over to a nearby cinema while you still can, to see Disney’s “The Lion King”!
