Close Menu
  • Login
  • Support Us
  • Newsletter
  • News
  • Features
  • Interviews
  • Reviews
    • Video Games
      • Previews
      • PC
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X/S
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Xbox One
      • PS4
      • Tabletop
    • Film
    • TV
    • Anime
    • Comics
      • BOOM! Studios
      • Dark Horse Comics
      • DC Comics
      • IDW Publishing
      • Image Comics
      • Indie Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • Oni-Lion Forge
      • Valiant Comics
      • Vault Comics
  • Podcast
  • More
    • Event Coverage
    • BWT Recommends
    • RSS Feeds
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Support Us
But Why Tho?
RSS Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
Trending:
  • Features
    Momo and Okarun share a close moment in Dandadan

    Momo And Okarun: The Gold Standard For Shonen Romance

    07/03/2025
    Ironheart Episodes 4 6 But Why Tho 1

    ‘Ironheart’ Explained: Explore MCU’s Bold New Chapter

    07/01/2025
    Buck in 9-1-1

    ‘9-1-1’ Has To Let Buck Say Bisexual

    06/29/2025
    Nintendo Welcome Tour promotional image of the maraca mini-game

    The One “Game” That Justifies The Nintendo Switch 2 Purchase

    06/25/2025
    Destiel Confession in Supernatural - Castiel (Misha Collins) and Dean (Jensen Ackles)

    The Destiel Confession: The Lasting Importance Of Supernatural’s Greatest Ship

    06/22/2025
  • Squid Game
  • K-Dramas
  • Netflix
  • Switch 2 Games
  • Summer Game Fest
But Why Tho?
Home » Film » REVIEW: ‘The Lion King’ is a Perfect Balance of Old and New

REVIEW: ‘The Lion King’ is a Perfect Balance of Old and New

Kristen BatesBy Kristen Bates07/11/20194 Mins ReadUpdated:11/04/2021
the lion king
Share
Facebook Twitter Pinterest Reddit WhatsApp Email

the lion king

Disney’s The Lion King (2019) takes the traditional themes of family, coming-of-age, and good vs. evil from its 1994 original animation and updates them for a modern film that younger generations will get to experience for the first time. It’s a perfect balance of original and new that brings together both an older and younger audience. In a time of turmoil, this film is a must see for all ages and a good refresher to get back to our roots of knowing who we are.

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here

Having James Earl Jones reprise his role of Mufasa was the highlight of the film. It felt so right to have him pass on this version of The Lion King to the next generation of fans. Jones has the perfect voice to command attention without asking for it. His tone adds to the importance of the life lessons Mufasa is trying to impart on Simba (JD McCrary). Of course, it made Mufasa’s death just as heartbreaking as the original version.

In addition, Chiwetel Ejiofor’s portrayal of Scar was absolutely stunning. Scar is a cunning and manipulative lion and Ejiofor does a great job of harnessing that natural prowess. He blurs the lines of genuinely liking Simba and wanting him out of the picture altogether. Scar is the master of lies and Ejiofor has the silver tongue to deliver them.

While The Lion King had an all-star cast with Donald Glover as Simba and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, it was Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) that stole the show. They bounced off of each other with ease and offered great comedic relief during tense moments that didn’t feel overdone.

Eichner’s Timon was a great mix of keeping the traditional character alive while adding the Billy Eichner flare. He was perfect to play Timon. Rogan’s performance as Pumbaa was just as fun, too. His raspy voice gave a whole new personality to Pumbaa and had me cheering him on in the climax of the film. Plus, both Rogan and Eichner’s routine of “Hakuna Matata” paid homage to the original song while keeping it unique to themselves. Ultimately, they knocked it out of the park.

To update the film, John Oliverr’s performance as Zazu helped steer The Lion King into the new era with fun jokes about “tweeting” the news in Mufasa’s kingdom and the harrowing dangers of telling the truth in Scar’s . The irony of having Oliver – who is known for his HBO series Last Week Tonight – as a source of news in the film added a sense of reality to a fictional political uprising. While the eyes will be rolling at more political references in Disney films, it’s important to show a younger generation the dangers of hiding the truth. We are Mufasa passing down the future to our Simba and truth is vital to that story.

It’s the circle of life and, with these live-action remakes on the horizon, we are passing down a torch to future generations about the lessons we grew up with when we were kids. Many of us related to Simba’s frustration of responsibility when we sat through the 1994 version of The Lion King.

As adults, we can watch this live-action remake with the eyes of Mufasa and the understanding that everything we do affects those around us. There are lessons to be learned about our own destinies and how each of us fit in this world. But there is one lesson that The Lion King taught us as kids and that the live-action urges us to carry as adults: remember who you are.

The Lion King is a beautiful film with stunning effects. The cinematography has visuals that make you feel like you are in Mufasa’s kingdom experiencing the adventures of Simba right alongside him. Each performance balanced traditional characters with originality to create a masterpiece that is worthy of its predecessor. It’s a film that will make you want to watch the original Lion King while still appreciating the live-action remake.

Disney’s The Lion King is in theaters July 18.

Images from Disney

The Lion King (2019)
  • 9/10
    Rating - 9/10
9/10

TL;DR

The Lion King is a beautiful film with stunning effects. The cinematography has visuals that make you feel like you are in Mufasa’s kingdom experiencing the adventures of Simba right alongside him. Each performance balanced traditional characters with originality to create a masterpiece that is worthy of its predecessor. It’s a film that will make you want to watch the original Lion King while still appreciating the live-action remake.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Email
Previous ArticleREVIEW: ‘Trespassers (2018)’ is Neon Soaked but Predictable Home Invasion Horror
Next Article INTERVIEW: Voices for the Voiceless with ‘Paws Your Game’ at RTX 2019
Kristen Bates
  • X (Twitter)

In the sixth grade, Kristen participated in her school’s spelling bee and mispelled the word “lake”. Kristen has since pursued a rigorous career in writing where she tries her best to avoid using that blasted word. She studied literature in her undergrad and is now pursuing her Master’s in Journalism at Emerson College. Kristen has written for StarWars.com, where she gets to let her nerd flag fly as a huge Star Wars enthusiast. She’s also covered press events at New York Comic Con and attended the 2019 Oscars where she ran into Laura Dern and managed to hold it together (a true accomplishment). Kristen will stop at nothing to pet all the dogs and she can quote the film Spaceballs from beginning to end. She also has a website, www.kristenkbates.com, and a pretty groovy Twitter: @kristenkbates.

Related Posts

The Old Guard 2
5.5

REVIEW: ‘The Old Guard 2’ Is Distracted And Half-Baked

07/02/2025
Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey in Jurassic World: Rebirth
5.5

REVIEW: ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Is Best When Nobody Is Talking

06/30/2025
MEGAN 2.0 promotional image
7.0

REVIEW: ‘M3GAN 2.0’ Puts Action First

06/29/2025
F1 (2025) promotional key art
8.0

REVIEW: ‘F1’ Is A High-Octane Blockbuster

06/24/2025
KPop Demon Hunters Promotional image form Netflix
9.0

REVIEW: ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Brings Beautiful Animation And An Even Better Message

06/20/2025
Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Alfie Williams in 28 Years Later
8.5

REVIEW: ’28 Years Later’ Is How Franchises Should Return

06/18/2025

Get BWT in your inbox!

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and get the latest and greated in entertainment coverage.
Click Here
TRENDING POSTS
Taecyeon and Seohyun in The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8
7.5
TV

REVIEW: ‘The First Night With The Duke’ Episodes 7-8

By Sarah Musnicky07/03/2025

The First Night With The Duke Episodes 7-8 spends welcome time in pre-domestic bliss before new developments stir up trouble.

The Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer First Look Image From Prime Video News

Prime Video Unleashes Teaser for Prequel Series The Terminal List: Dark Wolf

By Kate Sánchez07/04/2025

The first Terminal List: Dark Wolf trailer was released today by Prime Video. The series…

Together (2025) still from Sundance
8.0
Film

REVIEW: Have A Grossly Good Time ‘Together’

By Kate Sánchez01/27/2025Updated:07/04/2025

Dave Franco and Alison Brie’s Together (2025) is disgustingly funny, genuinely ugly, and just a good time at the movies.

Black Women Anime — But Why Tho (9) BWT Recommends

10 Black Women in Anime That Made Me Feel Seen

By LaNeysha Campbell11/11/2023Updated:12/03/2024

Black women are some of anime’s most iconic characters, and that has a big impact on Black anime fans. Here are some of our favorites.

But Why Tho?
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest RSS YouTube Twitch
  • CONTACT US
  • ABOUT US
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER
  • Review Score Guide
Sometimes we include links to online retail stores. If you click on one and make a purchase we may receive a small contribution.
Written Content is Copyright © 2025 But Why Tho? A Geek Community

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

But Why Tho Logo

Support Us!

We're able to keep making content thanks to readers like YOU!
Support independent media today with
Click Here