Beyonce’ Knowles-Carter with her character “Nala” from Disney’s The Lion King. Photo credit: Kwaku Alston for Disney Studios. Courtesy of PRNewsfoto/Parkwood Entertainment.
Donald Glover and Beyoncé’ Knowles-Carter star in The Lion King. This Disney remake of the 1994 Disney classic remains true to the original child favorite and tells the story of a young lion cub, “Simba” whose father, “Mufasa” the King, was killed by his conniving brother Scar. These events subsequently force “Simba” to leave his homeland. He returns years later as a confident full-grown Lion ready to assume his position as the rightful heir to the thrown as The Lion King. The biggest difference between the 1994 movie and its newest edition is that the 2019 pic has a more realistic look and feel. The characters are computer generated, and are so life-like that it is scary. While the classic version was heart felt and a great flick for all generations, it was animated.
Directed by Jon Favreau, The Lion King’s star studded cast includes Donald Glover as “Simba.” Beyoncé’ Knowles-Carter plays his love interest “Nala.” The family entertainment film also features James Earl Jones reviving his role as “Mufasa,” “Simba’s” father, and Alfre Woodard as “Sarabi,” the future King of the Jungle’s mother. Rounding out the primary cast is Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mufasa’s evil brother “Scar,” Shahidi Wright-Joseph (young Nala), JD MCCrary (Young Simba), Seth Rogan (Pumbaa), John Oliver (Zazu), Keegan Michael-Key, Eric Andre (Azizi), Billy Eichner (Timon), Florence Kasumba (Shenzi) and John Kani (Rafiki).
By the way, you know this movie was not going to star Beyoncé’ and not have any new music from “Queen Bey” for you. Her new album, The Lion King – The Gift (Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia) with music inspired by the movie arrives in the marketplace on July 19. The album features Pharrell, Childish Gambino (Donald Glover), Kendrick Lamar and Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy. African stars are also on this project, such as Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage.
The Lion King is a PG rated (only because of some violence/fighting) film that the whole family can go to the movies and share some time. So treat the family and go see it on July 19. And for you Beyonce music fans, Beyonce’s album is available on the same day.
****(4 and out of 5 Stars)
