Ever since the first trailer for Disney and Jon Favreau’s The Lion King debuted earlier this year, trailer time at the multiplex has been more beautiful than usual. Indeed, the visuals look utterly breathtaking, and box-office tracking has been promising, to say the least, and essentially, Disney has been grabbing all of the entertainment dollars this year. Tuesday night’s world premiere in Hollywood has seen an outpouring of first reactions that promise an experience like no other. A game changer? Yep, those words are definitely surfacing.
Uproxx’s Mike Ryan has offered his short take (with a review to follow) about what looks like an impressive visual display. “Holy smokes, I really loved THE LION KING. I think (I think) it’s the most beautiful effects movie I’ve seen,” he tweeted. “Like next level, the game has changed kind of thing. (For the record I’m agnostic on the original movie and have zero nostalgia for it. Anyway, this movie hooked me.)”
Holy smokes, I really loved THE LION KING. I think (I think) it’s the most beautiful effects movie I’ve seen. Like next level, the game has changed kind of thing. (For the record I’m agnostic on the original movie and have zero nostalgia for it. Anyway, this movie hooked me.)
— Mike Ryan (@mikeryan) July 10, 2019
The positive flow continued with predictions that this movie will essentially print money for Disney. The cast is getting major shoutouts as well. Obviously, people are gonna be pumped about anything that Beyonce does, but James Earl Jones being back as Mufasa sounds like a treat, and Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen are stealing hearts, minds, and the show as Timon and Pumbaa.
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
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
#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/THATJacqueline/status/1148809922210963456
https://twitter.com/ChrisHayner/status/1148804198869245952
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
#TheLionKing is exactly as advertised: a beat-for-beat remake of the original. Impressive animation and some ace casting choices (Beyoncé is a spirited Nala, John Oliver is an ideal Zazu) plus that music is still 👍👍 – but it’s more nostalgic rehash than fresh reimagining
— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) July 10, 2019
Just finished #TheLionKing! I absolutely loved every second of it. The VFX on the animals were incredibly detailed and the music was on another level. This might be my favorite Disney live action adaption this far! pic.twitter.com/1CExxs6kAB
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) July 10, 2019
Like I said, every first reaction tweet was a positive one, except for Atom Tickets’ editorial lead Alisha Grauso, who says the visuals aren’t perfect, but they’re pretty darn close.
That being said, #TheLionKing does illustrate the limitations of projecting human emotions onto photorealistic animals that can't convey human expression. More in my review when the embargo lifts!
— @alishagrauso.bsky.social (@AlishaGrauso) July 10, 2019
The Lion King arrives on July 19.
