Is The Lion King Worth It? Interview with Young Nala and Young Simba

How old were you when the original Lion King came out? I will be totally honest with you, I was 10 years old. I remember living in this amazing duplex in South Minneapolis with hardwood floors and french doors. I remember replaying the CD in my boombox on repeat. I knew every song and I knew all the words to the movie.

Why was this movie of talking animals in an African safari so amazing?

Disney is currently remaking all their movies giving it a livelier feel. I am not caught up on all of them but I did see The Lion King and it just sent me down memory lane.

Like did you know this about the Lion King:

James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclair played Mufasa and Sarabi and were also in the iconic favorite film Coming To America
Jason Weaver’s fine self sang on many of the songs, my favorite Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King was the first movie dubbed in Zulu.

I absolutely loved the Lion King growing up and even as an adult for many reasons. My number one reason was the music. The music was AMAZING and I practiced my lyrical skills quite often with those songs.

My second reason is that it was a powerful and beautiful image of Africa, and as a kid watching commercials of a worn down, impoverished, “Third World Country” it was breathtaking.

The third reason, I never was huge on the whole “PRINCESS being saved” it seemed weird to me. And plus they were all princesses that didn’t look like me. I being a bit of a womanist love the fact that Simba had to be saved and that Nala went and saved the day by stepping out of the so-called norms in the ranks, went out, talked some sense into Simba and eventually became Queen and King. Ok, I didn’t know that growing up but as I rewatched it, I was like YYYAASSSS Sarabi, stand your ground…. yaassss Nala you better handle things like the boss you are!

So, that brings me to the original question, “Is the new Lion King Worth it?”

It comes out on July 19, 2019, and I saw it last week. So based off of my three reasons why I loved the original Lion King, let’s compare without giving away DETAILS!!!

Music– The music kept most of the originality and you can still sing along like you did growing up. There have been some added details to songs and even new songs! What did you expect, Beyonce and Donald Glover are in the film and they have to and have blessed the music taking it to another level. Beyoncé‘s “Spirit” which is an original single and will appear on her own album The Lion King: The Gift, which will accompany the film’s release.
I give it 4 out of 5 stars

Visuals- The original Lion King had some memorable scenes that we will never forget. I am huge on visuals, and I will tell you that they used some dope technology that made this movie SOOOOOOOO FREAKING AMAZING! Like you have no idea how realistic and enhanced this film was. I was in awe from the first moment it started.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars

Characters– Ok, I will NOT go into detail because I do not want to give it away! But I was laughing on many of the jokes. I was drawn in so deep on the storyline and couldn’t take my eye off of the characters.
I give it 5 out of 5 stars.

So with that being said, I would highly recommend it. But, I will let you hear from Young Nala- Shahadi Wright Joseph and Young Simba- JD McCrary I had the honor of chatting with them for a few minutes!

About the Lion King 2019

Disney’s “The Lion King,” directed by Jon Favreau, 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. Staying true to the classic story, Favreau utilizes pioneering filmmaking techniques to bring the iconic characters to the big screen in a whole new way. Disney’s “The Lion King” opens in U.S. theaters on July 19, 2019.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyTheLionKing/

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Website: https://disney.com/lionking

Hashtag: #TheLionKing

Genre: Action-Adventure

U.S. Release Date: July 19, 2019

Cast: Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Alfre Woodard, Billy Eichner, John Kani, John Oliver, Florence Kasumba, Eric André, Keegan-Michael Key, JD McCrary, Shahadi Wright Joseph, with Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and James Earl Jones.

Director: Jon Favreau

Producers: Jon Favreau, Jeffrey Silver, Karen Gilchrist

Screenplay by: Jeff Nathanson

Check out the voice talent from Disney’s “The Lion King” together for the first time in a new cast photo. Pictured are Billy Eichner (Timon), Shahadi Wright Joseph (Young Nala), JD McCrary (Young Simba), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Florence Kasumba (Shenzi), Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé Knowles-Carter (Nala), Alfre Woodard (Sarabi), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), John Oliver (Zazu), Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari) and Eric André (Azizi).#thelionking @lionking