Looking to rule the box office much like Mufasa ruled Pride Rock is The Lion King, which hits UK cinemas this Friday (July 19th). Anticipation has been building since the trailer dropped in the autumn, and you’ll finally get your chance to see it this week – get your tickets here to avoid missing out.
[IMDB]The first reviews began to trickle out last week, with praise scattered between the visuals, the singing, and the comedy duo Timon and Pumbaa. Fulsome praise comes from The Times in particular, who go so far as to say it’s “better than the original. Yes, really”. Meanwhile, The Sun pegged it “as close to faultless as you’ll get”, and the Evening Standard were particularly charmed by Timon and Pumbaa, who “steal every scene they are in”.
[IMDB]For the most part, the story is exactly the same as the original, with the big musical numbers left intact (as befits your queen and mind, Beyonce brings a new song to the role of Nala). The biggest update is the lush visuals, with CGI rendering making the animals incredibly lifelike (also unsettlingly so, to the mind of some critics).
[IMDB]And of course, your childhood favourites have some new voices, with the likes of Donald Glover (Simba), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), and Billy Eichner (Timon) joining the cast. Don’t be sad – it’s the Circle of Life, isn’t it?
