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The new ‘Lion King’ trailer shows off its incredible effects

The Lion King
Screenshot

Photorealistic animals hanging out in the Sahara singing Elton John? You better believe it, buster! This ain’t ‘Planet Earth!’

Another day, another trailer drops for a Disney Live-Action Remake. This time around, it’s the new preview for Jon Favreau’s The Lion King, which seems to be adhering pretty closely to the advertising formula established with his Jungle Book adaptation. That ethos was, of course, “make the audience think they’re stepping into see a hyper-serious adaptation of the cartoon they grew up with and then surprise everybody with a Christopher Walken musical number midway through the film,” and they’re doing the same thing here, right down to teasing a silly song performed by a comic relief character at the end of the preview. Unsurprisingly, it’s not a bad trailer — indeed, the effects work is really quite stunning — and it will probably make those who grew up with The Lion King and need a nice hit of nostalgia to get them through the workday feel pretty good. 

Here’s the trailer:

Hey, that doesn’t look bad at all! The photorealistic effects clash a little bit with the cartoonier aspects of the adaptation, but it isn’t nearly as bad as Will Smith’s Genie in any of its forms. We’re cautiously interested in this one, and we hope that soon after its release that Disney gets back to making original — ah, who are we kidding, they’ll do a live-action remake of Home on the Range as long as people go out and see it. And, hopefully, by that point, they’ll control enough of the film industry where it’s the only thing you can see on a Friday night!

Here’s a synopsis, not like you really need it:

“Director Jon Favreau’s all-new “The Lion King” 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 Lion King hits theaters on July 19.