The new live-action remake of Disney’s The Lion King was beset by criticism online from fans of the original who feared the new life-like beasts couldn’t convey the same emotions of the animated original.
But Disney seems to have gotten the last laugh as glowing early reviews flooded Twitter Tuesday night after the film’s premiere at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.
Viewers almost unanimously praised the film’s life-like visuals, with special mentions for Beyoncé’s role as Nala.
Two paws up! Critics have been roaring with approval on Twitter following the live-action Lion King remake’s Tuesday night premiere in Hollywood; still from The Lion King
‘Holy smokes, I really loved THE LION KING,’ tweeted Uproxx senior entertainment writer Mike Ryan.
‘I think (I think) it’s the most beautiful effects movie I’ve seen. Like next level, the game has changed kind of thing. (For the record I’m agnostic on the original movie and have zero nostalgia for it. Anyway, this movie hooked me.)’
Angie J. Han, deputy entertainment editor for Mashable, said audiences would get what they were hoping for.
‘#TheLionKing is exactly as advertised: a beat-for-beat remake of the original. Impressive animation and some ace casting choices (Beyoncé is a spirited Nala, John Oliver is an ideal Zazu) plus that music is still [two thumbs up signs] — but it’s more nostalgic rehash than fresh reimagining.
Beautiful effects: According to Uproxx senior entertainment writer Mike Ryan, even people who didn’t care about the original might enjoy this remake
Meets expectations: Angie J. Han, deputy entertainment editor for Mashable, said audiences would get what they were hoping for
New tune: Freelance film critic Courtney Howard complimented Beyoncé’s new track Spirit, which ‘slips right into the existing soundtrack framework easily’
Freelance film critic Courtney Howard complimented Beyoncé’s new track Spirit, which ‘slips right into the existing soundtrack framework easily.’
She also highlighted the movie’s connection to the 1994 original, both in the computer-generated animation and the screenplay.
Gizmodo entertainment editor Germain Lussier wrote, ‘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. The CG can be slightly distracting at times but the emotion quickly covers that. Loved it.’
Does it justice: Gizmodo entertainment editor Germain Lussier wrote, ‘The Lion King is a wonderful adaptation of an iconic classic’
Nice tweaks: ‘It has a few small changes which enhance what was already great and everything else is right on point. The CG can be slightly distracting at times but the emotion quickly covers that. Loved it,’ he tweeted
Although most posts about the family film were positive on all fronts, some reviewers criticized the choice to make the animals naturalistic, making it much harder for them to convey emotions than cartoon characters with more flexible faces.
‘#TheLionKing 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,’ wrote BuzzFeed News Senior Film Reporter Adam B. Vary.
‘As an *emotional* experience, though…I’ll put it this way: It turns out lions can’t really emote.’
Too realistic? Although most posts about the family film were positive on all fronts, some reviewers criticized the choice to make the animals naturalistic, making it much harder for them to convey emotions than cartoon characters with more flexible faces
Stone-faced: BuzzFeed News Senior Film Reporter Adam B. Vary praised the film as a ‘landmark *visual* experience,’ but complained that ‘lions can’t really emote’
Didn’t ask for this: Slash Film editor Peter Sciretta heaped plenty of praise on the remake, though he suggested it wasn’t essential
Slash Film editor Peter Sciretta heaped plenty of praise on the remake, though he suggested it wasn’t essential.
‘#TheLionKing is a breathtaking visual cinematic achievement. I can’t believe this is a CG animated movie. Timon and Pumbaa steal the show.
‘It’s a good Disney remake but was it necessary? Maybe not, but it’s enjoyable and families are gonna love it.’
Thunderous applause: Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub wrote that he’d never ‘heard as much clapping during a movie as I did tonight at #TheLionKing. Was like being at a rock concert’
Those concerns don’t seem to have turned off premiere attendees (though many of them were involved in making the film and have a stake in its success).
Collider editor-in-chief Steven Weintraub wrote that he’d never ‘heard as much clapping during a movie as I did tonight at #TheLionKing. Was like being at a rock concert.’
‘Movie is going to make so much money,’ he added.
Strong cast: Rotten Tomatoes editor Jacqueline Coley said Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner stole their scenes
Nothing to worry about: GameSpot Entertainment Editor Chris E. Hayner tweeted that his fears of emotionless animals were allayed
Can’t anthropomorphize: But Atom Tickets Editorial Lead Alisha Grauso thought The Lion King was limited by it’s ‘photorealistic animals that can’t convey human expression’
Sweet sound: Fandango Managing Editor Erik Davis saved special praise for the Donald Glover and Beyoncé’s singing
