When the animated version of this story became, in 1994, one of the most successful animated films of the Disney studio, I was surprised. I enjoyed it, yet I never felt the love so many people have for it, and have rarely, if ever, revisited it. Now that it has been remade, I will try to explain why I still feel underwhelmed by this particular story.

Jon Favreau’s film is beautifully lensed (by Caleb Deschanel), yet it does not qualify as a “live action” feature because everything is computer generated. The immensely popular Elton John – Tim Rice songs are recycled, though in different ways. Many more African-American voices are employed for the sake of authenticity, though how strictly this should apply to an American-made animated feature is up for debate. And again, as in 1994, this version is hugely successful financially. I still don’t love it.

I think my basic problem with it is that I reject the whole “royalty” issue. Sure, the lions are powerful, but in nature all of the other species do not bow and cower before them. One species should not “rule” over them all, even if the Lion King (Mufasa, or later, Simba) is compassionate and believes in conservation. And don’t get me started on the inherent sexism by which only males qualify to rule. This just isn’t a story premise that I feel good about. At least the filmmakers eliminated the fascistic elements of the “Be Prepared” number that plague the first film (look it up if you don’t know the story; it’s an eye-opening example of questionable animation).

The animals are certainly cute, and at times either humor or a solid sense of adventure conquers the innate nastiness of this Shakespearean story. There may also be political commentary symbolized by Scar and his despicable actions, though I will pursue that angle. Suffice it to say that for me, the film is lackluster. Fans of the first one should enjoy this one, and viewers who love Disney product in general may well be enchanted. I would rather watch a new comic adventure with Timon and Pumbaa, or some other entirely original idea than warmed-over Disney spectacle. ☆ ☆. 27 September 2019.