Voices of: Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles, James Earl Jones, Billy Eichner, Seth Rogan, Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Directed By: Jon Favreau

Watching ‘The Lion King’ on 4DX was something I was looking forward to. The 4DX effects are to be experienced, not forgetting the beautiful colors of the Savannah and the 5.1 surround sound quality which is notable making the lion’s roar come alive.

As many would guess, this is a CGI remake of Disney's 1994 animated classic ‘The Lion King’, only this time featuring an all-new cast, except James Earl Jones who once again plays Mufasa. New songs augment the old favourites in a new style, while Hans Zimmer’s score packs a good punch to reinvent the classics we have known for the last 25 years. While the animated version is fixed in your mind, what you see here is live action in real lifelike creatures that sing and dance at the same time.  Because of the realism involved, the violence is definitely more intense than in the cartoon classic. 

It’s wonderful to watch the movie in a totally different setting. And that too if you are watching the movie in a 4DX theatre which is the ultimate movie experience. Simba gets so close that you could cuddle him; while his father Mufasa’s mane looks so natural you feel you could reach out and stroke it.

The theatre brings to you motion chairs and in theater special effects like wind and rain synchronised. The rumble and roar of African wildlife will blow you off and give you spine chilling moments, while the desert stampede will give you a panoramic view of the vast African desert, at the same time, you can feel the thunderous movements of the wild beasts in your chair. With 4DX you sometimes literally move with the camera. Talk about music and the iconic Hakuna Matata, you get to dance in your chairs. If you’re lucky enough, you also may get sprayed when Simba, Timon and Pumbaa cross the waterfall.  On The Lions Sleeps Tonight, the chairs vibrate and gently rocks along to the beat of the repetitious Wimoweh, Wimoweh, Wimoweh.

Another added feature that many might not notice in 4DX is the sense of smell added in the experience. You can capture the scents of the safari plains, the ominous elephant graveyard, the bugs in the logs, and the iconic waterfall from the famous Hakuna Matata scene. Each shot amazingly beautiful. 

All the songs are left intact with of course a large dose of improvisation to songs like Be Prepared, Circle of Life, the latter which plays in the opening of the film and sums up what the film is all about. There’s also young Simba's party piece I Just Can't Wait To Be King that will appeal to young and old alike, while Hakuna Matata (No Worries) is the song most will remember and is the one kids love. Each of the five songs is near perfectly suited to the look and feel of the movie and move as the story unfolds.

For those who have come in late and know nothing about ‘The Lion King’, well the film tells the story of Simba (Donald Grover) a lion cub who is to succeed his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones) as King; but not everyone in the kingdom celebrates the new cub’s arrival. His uncle Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor) is filled with jealousy, and murders his brother Mufasa and puts the blame on little Simba. Simba is fooled into thinking he was responsible for killing his father and leaves Pride Land never to return. He begins a new life where he makes friends with Timon (Meercat ­ - Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Warthog – Seth Rogan). One day Simba stumbles upon a childhood friend Nala (Beyoncé) who convinces him to return as the King. Simba now a matured lion accepts the challenge to fight Scar and regain his position as King.

The film has a brilliant message behind it which kids would love to learn from.  A great family entertainer.The 1994 film won two Golden Globes; two Academy Awards and a Grammy Award, now it remains to be seen if this new flick will impact audiences again.

Rating: ****

Reviewed by Verus Ferreira