The Lion King Review: 3 Ups & 7 Downs

1. It's Worse Than The Original In EVERY Way

The Lion King
Mouse

It has to be said that the new Lion King really doesn't do a single thing better than the original - not even visually, because the animated original committed to a far more appropriate style and nailed it, while here, the technical prowess constantly undermines the drama.

The performances, the direction, the emotion, the music - it's all inferior to what we got in 1994, making this an especially dubious remake that fails to justify its own existence.

At least Dumbo fashioned a semi-ambitious expansion of the original story complete with an anti-corporate animal rights message, while Aladdin gave Jasmine a more appropriate feminist update. 2019's The Lion King, meanwhile, does not a single thing in a better or more interesting way than its forebear.

So, not a good movie, then. But it's not a total disaster either, and here are its few bright spots worth considering...

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Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.