Yes, it's been a while. But I do still lurk about here and there, and something would be greatly amiss if I just let this occasion pass me by without so much as mentioning it! After all, I apparently did some Lion King related stuff once upon a time...
It was probably hard to miss, but Disney released the first trailer for The Lion King (2019). For those who have been living under a rock, The Lion King is getting a 'live action' remake and the teaser for it can be found here. Go ahead and watch, I'll wait here.
First impressions count, and for me that entire trailer was pretty damn impressive. In a way you can see all it's all CG, but the graphical quality is seriously amazing. To have these kinds of CG effects applied to a full length movie is something we couldn't have really dared to expect only a few years ago. It all looks realistic, but with a very light cartoony touch, almost like a filter, on top of it. It's not super cartoony like Zootopia, but at the same time it's far from uncanny valley. That is... until they start talking.
There aren't actually any shots of the lions talking, and it's exactly that part that will make or break this movie for me. Because the problem with making a movie about animals hyper realistic is that... animals can't really show emotion as much as humans or cartoon characters can. In this teaser they appear to have some very light character to them, but not a lot. This brings me to wonder; will this little hyper realistic lion cub be dancing and singing and jumping on giraffes necks? And if he does, how deep into uncanny valley are we going, because I can't imagine that scene looking good in any way like this.
Can a lion this realistic show the innocent emotional expressions that we all loved from Simba? Because it seems eerily absent from that clear shot of adult Simba at the end. What about Timon and Pumbaa? That's just going to be terrifying above anything else, really.
To be fair, I haven't watched the live action version of Jungle Book either, so I have no idea what to expect. But based on this trailer alone I'm a little bit skeptical. It's all going to depend on exactly how much realism they're going for.
Either way, definitely going to mark July 19th in my calendar for some Lion King related fun. And seeing this in the theater in 3D will be an absolute must!
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm watching Jungle Book tonight because I'm curious :)
I think the controversy over this will probably drive me insane by the time the actual movie lands (not to mention the anticipation), but I for one am extremely eager for this on the biggest screen I can find. :D I have concerns, of course, but come on... I can't imagine not being excited for this as a Lion King fan. In my mind, it's a new movie and should be treated as a new movie. My biggest hope is it stands on its own as if the original hadn't existed. Not to replace it, but to bring the wonder and awe to the next generation of TLK fans that the original brought to us. My second biggest hope is it adds new layers to the lore. I suppose after those two things I'm hoping that *I* really like the movie.
I'm a super fan who was around to see the original in theaters as a kid. As much as I wish it were otherwise, this just isn't a movie specifically for me. And I think super fans often forget that when "their thing" gets reworked.
I'll also say what I saw in the trailer made me quite happy, so far. I'm hoping they'll add more color to the cinematography and of course, the anthropomorphized emotionality almost needs to be present, but it looks fantastic and as you said, we couldn't have dared to dream Disney would make this not so long ago!
I think the controversy over this will probably drive me insane by the time the actual movie lands (
Just watched The Jungle Book. Consider all my worries about lack of character forgotten. If The Lion King is anything like Jungle Book it's going to be amazing in every way. I was completely blown away by what I've just watched :D
Just watched The Jungle Book. Consider all my worries about lack of character forgotten. If The Lion
@ RaddixPanther: I am also a fan of the original from having seen it and having it capture my heart from when I first saw it Theatrically in 1994. I was 18 at the time. You are never too old for something you like. While I know that this remake will never touch the original I know I will very much enjoy it. I just hope that the remake does not that away the spot the the original should have in the hearts and minds of the young generation today.
I am also excited to see what new things will be added to this remake and just how for a (PG Rating that I assume they will get) will allow them to push things.
This trailer changed My opinion from cautiously optimistic to very excited to see this movie. I was truly amazed by it.
@ RaddixPanther: I am also a fan of the original from having seen it and having it capture my heart
