Early Reactions and Reviews of The Lion King Are In
Disney’s The Lion King premiered in Hollywood last night and the early reviews are in…and they’re AMAZING! Jon Favreau, who also directed The Jungle Book, received high praise for his live-action remake of the 1994 animated Disney classic film.
A big concern many fans of the original film have had was whether the real animals in this remake could live up to their animated counterparts in the original. The answer seems to be a resounding YES! Let’s take a look at what everyone had to say. Make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom for a special treat too!
First Reactions on Twitter
As soon as the movie ended, reactions started pouring in on Twitter and they’re essentially all positive. Jenna Busch, of VitalThrills.com, believes The Lion King “will blow you away.”
Just saw #TheLionKing and it was absolutely breathtaking! The music, the visuals, the voice acting…whatever your feelings on Disney remakes, this one will blow you away. pic.twitter.com/Dk9MdZnKBe
— Jenna Busch-Henderson (@JennaBusch) July 10, 2019
Niki Cruz from amNewYork.com called The Lion King, “pure magic” and claimed Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen stole every scene they were in. Cruz’s sentiments regarding Eichner and Rogen were echoed by several others on social media.
#TheLionKing was pure magic. Visually unlike anything I’ve seen before. Donald Glover and Beyonce were both terrific. The nostalgic beats were all there. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen though? They reinvented those roles and stole every scene they were in!! pic.twitter.com/s70mzAhbpw
— Niki Cruz (@cruzniki) July 10, 2019
Screenwriter, Mark Hughes, proclaimed The Lion King is visually stunning!
#TheLionKing is visually stunning, I can’t begin to explain how next-level the photo-realism is. Terrific cast & @Jon_Favreau does a masterful job reimagining the familiar into something that feels fresh and surprising again. See in @DolbyCinema, colors & sound are spectacular!
— Mark Hughes (@markhughesfilms) July 10, 2019
Collider.com’s Steven Weintraub also pointed out the incredible visual effects. Weintraub compared the applause during the film to that at a rock concert!
Been lucky to have attended a number of world premieres but not sure I've ever 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. pic.twitter.com/rnU4qf92mt
— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 10, 2019
A few other things on #TheLionKing
The visual effects/animation in the film is INCREDIBLE.
For the first time in maybe my entire life as the movie started I got really emotional. Just hearing the music wrecked me.
While it's a story you know, it's soooooo well done. pic.twitter.com/1Vr9pe8vf4— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) July 10, 2019
Brandon Davis from ComicBook.com was another reviewer who specifically mentioned the audio and visual magic. Davis, like Niki Cruz, believes Eichner and Rogen stole the stole.
#TheLionKing is visually and audibly astounding! I’ve never seen anything like that on an animation level. It’s so beautiful.
Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner really steal the show. Chiwetel Ejiofor is brilliant as Scar! It is so much fun. Great movie. pic.twitter.com/v62LHFIM7W
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) July 10, 2019
Beatrice Verhoeven from TheWrap.com refers to The Lion King as a “visual masterpiece” and similarly stated that Timon and Pumbaa steal the show. Are you getting excited to see The Lion King yet?!
Oh man #TheLionKing delivers. It’s a visual masterpiece that will leave you smiling and crying the whole time. It’s a true testament to the lasting effect Disney movies have on all generations. Timon and Pumbaa steal the show. And BEYONCE!!! #LionKing
— Beatrice Verhoeven (@bverhoev) July 10, 2019
Additional Reviews
You can see the recurring theme of the initial reviews above and we’re happy to share more of them with you.
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. pic.twitter.com/9QmsP3PmNh
— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 10, 2019
Absolutely blown away by #TheLionKing. Incredible visuals and voice work. Cried all my makeup off. Timon and Pumba brought me back from the edge. Would die for baby Simba. pic.twitter.com/YBpncCVowz
— Rachel Heine ✨ (@RachelHeine) July 10, 2019
#TheLionKing is absolutely breathtaking! Every frame of that movie is something to behold. One of the best films of the year. pic.twitter.com/eWm0xDgcGg
— Umberto Gonzalez (@elmayimbe) July 10, 2019
Just walked out of #TheLionKing. Overriding reaction: SIMBA IS SO CUTE. But really, if you’re hoping this will be a near-exact adaptation of the animated movie with some absolutely jaw-dropping visual effects, you’ll get what you’re looking for. pic.twitter.com/14BydbdhCx
— Terri Schwartz (@Terri_Schwartz) July 10, 2019
#TheLionKing has always been my favorite Disney animated movie and this new rendition is a beautiful reminder why. Happy to welcome back familiar chills, emotions and tears. In awe of the visual wizards behind this one. Timon & Pumbaa are everything. pic.twitter.com/IcWHgjHCuF
— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) July 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/ChrisHayner/status/1148804198869245952
The Lion King is a visual marvel. Jon Favreau directs the hell out of this film. The voice cast is solid with Billy Eichner & Seth Rogen standing out as Timon & Pumbaa. That being said, it is a incredibly unnecessary remake that hits all the same beats. #TheLionKing pic.twitter.com/QdyotwD7xU
— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) July 10, 2019
#TheLionKing is a game changer in the VFX department! Everything that was amazing in The Jungle Book is even better in this film.
The voice work is FANTASTIC but it’s Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen as Timon and Pumbaa that steal the show. Fans of the original will be pleased! pic.twitter.com/mHbXQKBXEl
— Skyler Shuler (@SkylerShuler) July 10, 2019
#TheLionKing is visually immaculate & a game-changer for visual effects. It’s absolutely stunning in every way. The music shines (Glover & Beyoncé take it to another level), the performances are great (Timon, Pumbaa & Scar steal many scenes) & the emotions run HIGH. Truly great pic.twitter.com/lPH9Oo4ybb
— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 10, 2019
#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.
— /Film (@slashfilm) July 10, 2019
Nostalgia hits HARD with #TheLionKing. It’s wonderful to see the story again on the big screen presented in a different way. The cast is amazing and to hear James Earl Jones as Mufasa again put a huge smile on my face. Oh yea, that stampede scene still gets me 😭 pic.twitter.com/99pZaHNdGY
— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) July 10, 2019
That said…they owe a HUGE debt of gratitude to the original #TheLionKing animators and screenwriters as the ‘94 film is used beyond a blueprint – it’s their storyboards.
— Courtney Howard (@Lulamaybelle) July 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/THATJacqueline/status/1148809922210963456
#TheLionKing is another fantastic Disney remake! The music was phenomenal and the VFX are out of this world. The voice acting was superb. Yes, Beyoncé sang the hell out of all her songs. pic.twitter.com/CecOL5Ppll
— Geeks of Color (@GeeksOfColor) July 10, 2019
https://twitter.com/adambvary/status/1148806735559217152
Beyonce Gets Cheers
In addition to the wonderful reviews The Lion King received, fans are abuzz on social media because of the new Beyonce single titled Spirit, that was released Tuesday night. Fans can listen to the song on Beyonce’s official YouTube channel here:
The Lion King is coming to a theater near you on July 18. Tickets are available now. Make sure to get yours and have no worries for the rest of your days. Hakuna Matata.
