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THE LION KING
***
Dir: Jon Favreau (PG, 120mins)
The circle. The circle of life. It’s come around again for the money-makers at Disney as they remake another classic. After the stumble that was Tim Burton’s bland Dumbo and the pantomime blue Will Smith of Aladdin you’d think the company would have had enough, but no. At least Jon Favreau is at the helm of this anthromorphised remake, all CGI jungle and animals, having brought us the most satisfying and different Disney reboot to date. Favreau’s version of The Jungle Book at least had some teeth and style amidst the spectacle. This seems to be more of a shot-by-shot remake though. Donald Glover voices Simba the lion cub, who must avenge the death of his father Mufasa – who still boasts the regal tones of James Earl Jones, as in the 1994 original. Along the way Simba encounters the weirdly rendered Pumbaa and Timon (Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner), whilst Beyoncé provides the pipes for Nala, Simba’s beloved. Chiwetel Ejiofor intones baddie Scar with the necessary gravitas, all amidst a lovingly rendered recreation of the original. Supposedly introducing a new audience to a classic from 25 years ago, this will doubtless make money, but although technically innovative and daring, like the other Disney reimaginings it seems a bit lazy and pointless.
Opens July 19
words Keiron Self