Review: Disney’s The Lion King Is Now In Theaters

Nants ingonyama bagithi baba sithi uhhmm ingonyama! The Lion King has hit the big screen for a second time. The new LIVE action film has been recreated, with an all new star studded cast. Last week, we got a sneak peek of the new film, and I could not help but to feel a little nostalgic. The film stays true to its original 1994 roots, honoring the original release. So don’t worry, Lebo M who created its original magnificent scores, with homage to Africa has recreated the magic once again!

Disney Studios has created a cinematic masterpiece, and who better to recreate the magic with Beyoncé, and Donald Glover? This epic duo creates sensational harmonies, while Seth Rogan and Billy Eichner add hilarious improvisational humor. To everyone’s surprise, Seth Rogan sings exceptionally good, rifting and showcasing other professional vocal qualities.

Thank you Disney Studios for inviting me to screen “The Lion King” and attend the Press Junket. All opinions are my own.

Director Jon Favreau, (The Jungle Book, Chef) crafted a stunning, photorealistic CG. The film is so futuristic, that it is perhaps the pillars for CG technology evolution, as a film like this has never been created before.

Favreau said, “We are dealing with very engaged audiences that often times have grown up with these properties. And they have an emotional connections to them—in certain cases spanning generations within their family. So, you’re not just remembering ‘The Lion King,’ you’re remembering ‘The Lion King’ when you were 7, or when you brought your kid to it, or when you saw it then later introduced it to your kid. People have a whole basket of memories and emotions that are related to this movie, and there’s a certain protectiveness that people feel because those memories belong to them.”

About The Lion King

Disney’s upcoming film journeys to the African savanna where a future king is born. Simba idolizes his father, King Mufasa, and takes to heart his own royal destiny. But not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. Scar, Mufasa’s brother—and former heir to the throne—has plans of his own. The battle for Pride Rock is ravaged with betrayal, tragedy and drama, ultimately resulting in Simba’s exile. With help from a curious pair of newfound friends, Simba will have to figure out how to grow up and take back what is rightfully his. The all-star cast includes Donald Glover as Simba, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Chiwetel Ejiofor as Scar, Seth Rogen as Pumbaa and Billy Eichner as Timon, and utilizes pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring treasured characters to life in a whole new way.

Another exciting bonus, is the playful 40 second easter egg. Prepare a for unbelievable sunsets, and sensational musical vocals!

We laughed, we cried, and the new film moved us. Much like the original…

Don’t miss the magic. Watch The Lion King in theaters today!

Movie Review: Dumbo Now in Theaters

Written by: Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson

Dumbo-El-Capitan

It’s been decades since the world first saw an elephant fly, and Disney’s 2019 live-action DUMBO extends the magic and splendor of the studio’s original masterpiece.

The studio’s decision to remake this beloved classic is no doubt controversial, however, the world is different from when the animated film released in 1941. Today, Disney recognizes that the success of this live-action remake needs balance between nostalgia and something fresh. The challenge was accepted by Disney animator-turned-director Tim Burton.

Hosted: Thank you Disney for inviting to screen Dumbo at El Capitan Theater. All opinions are my own.

Dumbo is Burton’s fifth film directed for Disney. In 2010, he ushered in a new wave of Disney remakes with the live-action Alice in Wonderland. Film critics and fans alike know the whimsy and creative curiosity explored in this director’s breadth of work–Dumbo is an extension of that bold sentimentality, from the vivid visuals to the signature world created by composer Danny Elfman. Dumbo is the 17th feature film collaboration between Burton and Elfman.

Ehren Kruger’s script is a nod to what is familiar about the Dumbo storyline, yet pleases audiences with a different look at Dumbo the performer. If you ever wanted to know how Dumbo practiced at dress rehearsal and how he processed feelings of self-doubt, this script beautifully introduces a deeper look at the world’s most adored elephant. Coupled with gorgeous computer-generated imagery, this Dumbo character displays a innocence that feels true and heartwarming.

The cast of Dumbo contributes a fundamental element to this film that is missing from the animated version–the deep connection between mankind and animals. The live-action film centers on the Farrier family (Colin Farrell as father Holt) as they lovingly care for the new addition to the Medici Brothers Circus (Danny DeVito as ringleader/owner/jack-of-all-trades Max Medici). The Medici Circus includes all the classic, small-town performer personalities, yet also introduces them as a family facing tough decisions amid a changing American entertainment industry. When tycoon V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) crosses paths with the circus, Dumbo is given a new opportunity at an accelerated career and potential new family of entertainers, including the charming aerialist Colette Marchant (Eva Green).

For those that welcome the idea that a remake of a Disney classic can result in a familiar yet elaborated takeaway, Dumbo resonates with the powerful feeling of belonging. Dumbo’s families, both elephant and circus, face heart-wrenching conflicts, and comfort exists in knowing there is someone accepting of and invested in his happiness. The feeling of belonging is essential to feeling complete, happy, and fulfilled; the same can be said for all the animals in our lives, including an elephant with larger-than-life ears and larger-than-life heart.

Disney’s Dumbo is in theaters nationwide on March 29.

Vanessa Bañuelos-Dawson is a Disney-loving, nonprofit professional based in Southern California. She contributes to lifestyle blogs when not enjoying the sights, sounds, and shopping at Disneyland. A graduate (B.A. and M.A.) of Chapman University’s Dodge College of Film, she’s an avid fan of movies.