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Lee (2222 KP) rated The Lion King (2019) in Movies
Jul 20, 2019 (Updated Jul 20, 2019)
Disney's 1994 animated version of The Lion King was a huge hit. Not only did it win Academy Awards for original score (courtesy of the amazing Hans Zimmer) but also for original song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" by Elton John & Tim Rice. It also won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and went on to become a huge Broadway stage show in 1997, winning further awards and proving to be one of the most popular shows ever. Some movie sequels quietly came and went, along with a couple of TV series, but it's the original movie which is still loved by millions to this day. While Disney currently feels the need to rework their animated back catalogue, and with considerable advances in photorealistic computer animation technology, it was only a matter of time before The Lion King had it's turn in landing a remake.
Right now, I'm neither for or against this current wave of remakes. I don't think they're entirely necessary, but I've been pleasantly surprised by one or two of them so far, so I'm happy to give them my time for now. The Lion King is the third remake to emerge this year though, following the disappointing Dumbo and the not as bad as I was expecting Aladdin. The term 'live action' has been used to describe this version of The Lion King, although it's not really live - more of a CGI upgrade - and it's been getting a lot of negativity online too, more so than any other Disney remake so far. Most of the backlash appears to be down to the fact that this is a beloved film, with the remake being more of a shot by shot recreation than any of the others so far, supposedly rendering it unnecessary in the eyes of the haters. But, while I agree that the original is an incredible movie, that certainly didn't stop me, or millions of others, from going to view the stage show production of The Lion King - a retelling and re-imagining of the story and characters you know and love, just with a different set of tools to do the job. So, why not treat this new movie in the same way, at least until you've actually seen it? And, even if you do hate the new version, the original is still going to be there for you to enjoy afterwards.
The story here, as mentioned earlier, is the same as the original movie, with a pretty impressive cast lending their voices to the characters. We follow young lion cub Simba (JD McCrary), who is destined to succeed his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones reprising his 1994 performance), as King of the African Pride Lands. But his uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) has other plans, murdering Mufasa and forcing Simba into exile where he meets a warthog called Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and a meerkat named Timon (Billy Eichner). As an adult, Simba (now voiced by Donald Glover) reconnects with childhood friend Nala (voiced by Shahadi Wright Joseph as a child, Beyoncé as an adult) and mandrill Rafkiki (John Kani) and returns to the Pride Lands in order to take his rightful place as King. The circle of life, etc...
The visuals are incredible. Director Jon Favreau, who also directed the 2016 version of The Jungle Book, has taken what was done on that movie to a whole new level here. But the imagery is both the movies strength and it's weakness. As we sweep across the African landscape, in and around the animals as they go about their lives, you feel as though you are in a beautifully well shot documentary, the animals are that realistic. But that realism also means that animals cannot realistically convey human expressions or emotions, and there's a lot to be conveyed in the story of The Lion King - laughter, anger, sadness - and the majority of the voice cast cannot seem to stop it all from just feeling a bit flat and lifeless.
The first half meanders along, hitting all the right beats and songs from the original, but never really feeling like an improvement on it. And then Timon and Pumbaa arrive on the scene, providing much needed laughs and proving to be the movie's saviours. The film finds its feet, lightens up a little and becomes more enjoyable for its remainder, but it isn't enough. This is yet another remake where it's all style and not enough substance. Worth seeing, but certainly not better than the original.
https://www.cinechat.co.uk/the-lion-king-2019-review/
Right now, I'm neither for or against this current wave of remakes. I don't think they're entirely necessary, but I've been pleasantly surprised by one or two of them so far, so I'm happy to give them my time for now. The Lion King is the third remake to emerge this year though, following the disappointing Dumbo and the not as bad as I was expecting Aladdin. The term 'live action' has been used to describe this version of The Lion King, although it's not really live - more of a CGI upgrade - and it's been getting a lot of negativity online too, more so than any other Disney remake so far. Most of the backlash appears to be down to the fact that this is a beloved film, with the remake being more of a shot by shot recreation than any of the others so far, supposedly rendering it unnecessary in the eyes of the haters. But, while I agree that the original is an incredible movie, that certainly didn't stop me, or millions of others, from going to view the stage show production of The Lion King - a retelling and re-imagining of the story and characters you know and love, just with a different set of tools to do the job. So, why not treat this new movie in the same way, at least until you've actually seen it? And, even if you do hate the new version, the original is still going to be there for you to enjoy afterwards.
The story here, as mentioned earlier, is the same as the original movie, with a pretty impressive cast lending their voices to the characters. We follow young lion cub Simba (JD McCrary), who is destined to succeed his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones reprising his 1994 performance), as King of the African Pride Lands. But his uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) has other plans, murdering Mufasa and forcing Simba into exile where he meets a warthog called Pumbaa (Seth Rogen) and a meerkat named Timon (Billy Eichner). As an adult, Simba (now voiced by Donald Glover) reconnects with childhood friend Nala (voiced by Shahadi Wright Joseph as a child, Beyoncé as an adult) and mandrill Rafkiki (John Kani) and returns to the Pride Lands in order to take his rightful place as King. The circle of life, etc...
The visuals are incredible. Director Jon Favreau, who also directed the 2016 version of The Jungle Book, has taken what was done on that movie to a whole new level here. But the imagery is both the movies strength and it's weakness. As we sweep across the African landscape, in and around the animals as they go about their lives, you feel as though you are in a beautifully well shot documentary, the animals are that realistic. But that realism also means that animals cannot realistically convey human expressions or emotions, and there's a lot to be conveyed in the story of The Lion King - laughter, anger, sadness - and the majority of the voice cast cannot seem to stop it all from just feeling a bit flat and lifeless.
The first half meanders along, hitting all the right beats and songs from the original, but never really feeling like an improvement on it. And then Timon and Pumbaa arrive on the scene, providing much needed laughs and proving to be the movie's saviours. The film finds its feet, lightens up a little and becomes more enjoyable for its remainder, but it isn't enough. This is yet another remake where it's all style and not enough substance. Worth seeing, but certainly not better than the original.
https://www.cinechat.co.uk/the-lion-king-2019-review/
GameCritics (290 KP) rated Horizon Zero Dawn: The Frozen Wilds in Video Games
Nov 9, 2017
A massive, gorgeous new area (2 more)
More focused story
Improved animations
For those who hate open-ended games, fast travel points and simple navigation can keep you on the beaten path, if desired. With more content in this fantastic expansion than other entire games, The Frozen Wilds is a must-buy, can’t-miss experience.
Critic- Paulmichael Contreras
Original Score: 5 out of 5
Read Review: http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/11/06/horizon-zero-dawn-the-frozen-wilds-review/#/slide/1
Original Score: 5 out of 5
Read Review: http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2017/11/06/horizon-zero-dawn-the-frozen-wilds-review/#/slide/1
Movie Critics (823 KP) rated Ghost in the Shell (2017) in Movies
Apr 14, 2017
Scarlett Johansson's soulful action spectacle proves the purists wrong
Critic Review by Tim Robey - The Telegraph
Original Score: 4 out of 5
Excerpt:
For Johansson, this could easily be a franchise in the making, her own futuristic, post-human equivalent of a John Wick or Bourne. It needs the embrace of a willing audience first, but with trappings this glintingly cool and seductive, it’s hard to see how the offer can be refused.
Full review: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/ghost-review-scarlett-johanssons-soulful-action-spectacle-proves/
Original Score: 4 out of 5
Excerpt:
For Johansson, this could easily be a franchise in the making, her own futuristic, post-human equivalent of a John Wick or Bourne. It needs the embrace of a willing audience first, but with trappings this glintingly cool and seductive, it’s hard to see how the offer can be refused.
Full review: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/ghost-review-scarlett-johanssons-soulful-action-spectacle-proves/
Movie Critics (823 KP) rated Kong: Skull Island (2017) in Movies
Apr 14, 2017
A strong cast struggle to survive amid the special effects and implausible twists in the latest version of the giant gorilla classic
Critic Review By Wendy Ide - The Guardian
Original Score: 3 out of 5
Excerpt:
...it’s enjoyable enough, if a little overblown. However, despite the quality of actors – Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson star, alongside John C Reilly – the characters are not quite as nuanced as you might hope.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/12/kong-skull-island-review-tom-hiddlestone-unsubtle-adventure
Original Score: 3 out of 5
Excerpt:
...it’s enjoyable enough, if a little overblown. However, despite the quality of actors – Tom Hiddleston and Brie Larson star, alongside John C Reilly – the characters are not quite as nuanced as you might hope.
https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/mar/12/kong-skull-island-review-tom-hiddlestone-unsubtle-adventure
Movie Critics (823 KP) rated Logan (2017) in Movies
Apr 14, 2017
The best Wolverine movie yet: grown-up, ballsy, character-driven and grounded. It feels right that it should be the last one, but it also feels a bit of a shame
Critic review by Dan Jolin - Empire
Original score: 4 out of 5
Excerpt:
"A reminder that, when it comes to playing a properly magnetic anti-hero with a gruff ’70s-cinema exterior and a dark reservoir of inner depth, Jackman really is the best at what he does."
Full review: http://www.empireonline.com/movies/logan/review/
Original score: 4 out of 5
Excerpt:
"A reminder that, when it comes to playing a properly magnetic anti-hero with a gruff ’70s-cinema exterior and a dark reservoir of inner depth, Jackman really is the best at what he does."
Full review: http://www.empireonline.com/movies/logan/review/
GameCritics (290 KP) rated Diablo III : Rise Of The Necromancer in Video Games
Jul 14, 2017
One superb, fun-packed class to play (3 more)
Revitalises campaign and adventure modes
Diablo 3 remains stupidly addictive
More great animation and art design
No new campaign content (1 more)
More for existing fans than noobs
Think you’re tired of Diablo III? Rise of the Necromancer will soon change that. The revamped corpse-raiser is a blast to play and a smashing way to revitalise both the campaign and Adventure Mode.
Critic- TrustedReviews
Original Score: 4 out of 5
Read Review: http://www.trustedreviews.com/blizzard-pax-2017-review
Original Score: 4 out of 5
Read Review: http://www.trustedreviews.com/blizzard-pax-2017-review
Suswatibasu (1703 KP) rated The Hanging Girl: Department Q 6 in Books
Jul 25, 2017
Didn't see it coming, expect lots of twists
Listened on Audible.co.uk.
While it took a while for any major developments to unfold as it went into a lot of details with smaller clues, and the original crime itself felt slightly underwhelming - the last 15 chapters were an absolute whirlwind of suspense and unnerving moments.
Chapter 45 is absolutely gut-wrenching so watch this space.
The ending totally throws you off your initial suspicions from the first 40 chapters. So stick right to the end!
While it took a while for any major developments to unfold as it went into a lot of details with smaller clues, and the original crime itself felt slightly underwhelming - the last 15 chapters were an absolute whirlwind of suspense and unnerving moments.
Chapter 45 is absolutely gut-wrenching so watch this space.
The ending totally throws you off your initial suspicions from the first 40 chapters. So stick right to the end!
Mark Halpern (153 KP) rated Saw (2004) in Movies
Jan 13, 2018
First of a series of Jigsaw
Of all of the the movies in this collection this was the best. Usually the first is because it is most original. The story of a serial killer who kidnaps his victims based in what crimes they have committed in their lives and makes them choose to live or die via playing a very ideally games which usually involves them dismembering themselves in some fashion. SOme learn some don't. The series now contains 6 sequells they should have stopped at 1
Lee (2222 KP) Jul 20, 2019
Andy K (10823 KP) Jul 20, 2019