TAGGED AS: Disney
Here’s what critics are saying about The Lion King on social media:
Whatever your feelings on Disney remakes, this one will blow you away.
– Jenna Busch, Legion of Leia
It’s easily the best of Disney’s remakes.
– Laura Prudom, IGN Movies
Loved loved loved The Lion King.
– Drew Taylor, Moviefone
Better than I thought it’d be!
– Ben Pearson, Slashfilm
It’s a good Disney remake, but was it necessary? Maybe not, but it’s enjoyable.
– Peter Sciretta, Slashfilm
Did we need a live-action version of The Lion King? Maybe not… but this version is beautifully crafted by Jon Favreau…gives me all the feels on being back on Pride Rock.
– Kit Bowen, We Live Entertainment
While it’s a story you know, it’s soooooo well done.
– Steve Weintraub, Collider
The Lion King will be a touching introduction to a timeless story for a new generation, but I’d never rewatch it over the original.
– Laura Prudom, IGN Movies
(Photo by )
Really, if you’re hoping this will be a near-exact adaptation of the animated movie with some absolutely jaw-dropping visual effects, you’ll get what you’re looking for.
– Terri Schwartz, IGN Movies
The Lion King is a wonderful adaptation of an iconic classic. It has a few small changes which enhance what was already great and everything else is right on point.
– Germain Lussier, io9
The Lion King does a really excellent job of honoring the original movie but also adds touches for this modern version. Those touches are a lot of fun and totally welcome.
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com
I still really miss the exaggerated emotions of the characters from the original, but you get occasional flashes in this.
– Ben Pearson, Slashfilm
The Lion King is exactly as advertised: a beat-for-beat remake of the original… it’s more nostalgic rehash than fresh reimagining.
– Angie Han, Mashable
Nostalgia hits HARD with The Lion King. It’s wonderful to see the story again on the big screen presented in a different way. The cast is amazing and to hear James Earl Jones as Mufasa again put a huge smile on my face. Oh yea, that stampede scene still gets me.
– Wendy Lee Szany, Schmoes Know
The Lion King has always been my favorite Disney animated movie and this new rendition is a beautiful reminder why. Happy to welcome back familiar chills, emotions and tears.
– Perri Nemiroff, Collider
Beyoncé is good in The Lion King — really good! Nala’s role is indeed bigger, and Bey suits it perfectly. There’s a moment when she tells Simba he’s ‘disappointed’ her, and reader, the way Bey bit the ’t’ in that word chilled me and thrilled me.
– Adam B. Vary, BuzzFeed News
Beyoncé is a spirited Nala.
– Angie Han, Mashable
Beyoncé and Donald Glover are fine if underused.
– Terri Schwartz, IGN Movies
(Photo by Walt Disney Studios)
Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa stole the show and made me laugh so hard I almost cried.
– Shannon McGrew, Nightmarish Conjurings
Timon and Pumbaa steal the show.
– Chris E. Hayner, Hollywood Reporter
Timon and Pumbaa are everything.
– Perri Nemiroff, Collider
The vocal performances are largely good enough to make up for the rest [of the criticisms]. Eichner and Rogen steal the movie.
– Ben Pearson, Slashfilm
John Oliver is an ideal Zazu.
– Angie Han, Mashable
Chiwetel Ejiofor is brilliant as Scar!
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com
If you thought [Florence] Kasumba stole that scene in Civil War, just wait. In a movie full of great performances, she was the stand out.
– Daniel Radford, Screen Junkies
Young Simba JD McCrary stole the goddamn show. He’s so charming and brings great energy to, again, the cutest goddamn baby Simba you can hope for.
– Terri Schwartz, IGN Movies
(Photo by Walt Disney Studios)
It’s the most beautiful effects movie I’ve seen. Like next level, the game has changed kind of thing.
– Mike Ryan, Uproxx
The Lion King is a landmark *visual* experience. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I think it’s going to change how we look at movies forever.
– Adam B. Vary, BuzzFeed News
The attention to detail by Jon Favreau and the VFX team on The Lion King is just incredible. Beyond incredible. It looks so real so often.
– Brandon Davis, ComicBook.com
Visually, it’s stunning – an unparalleled technical achievement that’s like watching a nature documentary.
– Laura Prudom, Nerdist
It’s a visual masterpiece that will leave you smiling and crying the whole time.
– Beatrice Verhoeven, The Wrap
A breathtaking visual cinematic achievement. I can’t believe this is a CG animated movie.
– Peter Sciretta, Slashfilm
My fear was realistic animals wouldn’t have the charisma of the cartoon, but they’re very good.
– Chris E. Hayner, Hollywood Reporter
The Lion King does illustrate the limitations of projecting human emotions onto photorealistic animals that can’t convey human expression.
– Alisha Grauso, Film School Rejects
The CG can be slightly distracting at times but the emotion quickly covers that.
– Germain Lussier, io9
The Lion King might be the first animated movie to win the same Oscar twice.
– Jim Vejvoda, IGN Movies
The Lion King’s story and music are great because they’re the same, and the few minor updates are all smart and well-placed. And unlike Beauty and the Beast, they cast people who can sing without auto tune.
– Laura Prudom, Nerdist
For the first time in maybe my entire life as the movie started I got really emotional. Just hearing the music wrecked me.
– Steve Weintraub, Collider
Some of the song/choreo arrangements don’t work as well as the original but still a really fun flick.
– Chris E. Hayner, Hollywood Reporter
(Photo by Walt Disney Studios)
As an *emotional* experience…I’ll put it this way: It turns out lions can’t really emote.
– Adam B. Vary, BuzzFeed News
The hyper realism wasn’t a problem for me at all, the characters were still expressive, but your mileage may vary.
– Danielle Radford, Screen Junkies
Families are gonna love it.
– Peter Sciretta, Slashfilm
Not sure I’ve ever heard as much clapping during a movie as I did tonight at The Lion King. Was like being at a rock concert. Movie is going to make so much money.
– Steve Weintraub, Collider
The Lion King opens everywhere on July 19.
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