While Disney may have given the world some of the most exceptional and iconic animated films in history, the magic of The Lion King may never be surpassed even by them. Thus reestablishing the legacy with modern visuals, the company recreated the story of the original 1994 film in 2019’s remake of the same name.
The film managed to capture the hearts and memories of audiences young and old alike and was loved by newer fans and the ones that had witnessed the glory of the original one in the past. Although the remake checked every major box, British music legend Sir Elton John was disappointed by the music that was created for the film, saying it had lost the magic of the original.
Elton John Wasn’t Impressed By The Music Of The Lion King Remake By Jon Favreau
The original animated feature of 1994 The Lion King was something that even Disney didn’t expect to become its most iconic animated film, and yet, the sheer brilliance of the movie was just drawing audiences from all walks of life and making them fall in love with it. Thus, 25 years after its release, Disney decided to celebrate the legacy of the film with the recreation of the original story with modern life-like visuals in Jon Favreau‘s 2019 remake of the same name.
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With its release, the film was an instant hit with audiences all over the world, helping it achieve a staggering $1.6 billion at the global box office. But where the remake was said to be perfect in every way by the fans, the music may have lacked the familiar magic that the original had, and legendary music artist Sir Elton John felt it the most.
In a past interview with GQ, the Crocodile Rock singer opened up about what he thought of The Lion King remake by Disney. He was quick to point out the musical aspect of the project, stating that he felt it to be lacking the same impact as the original animated feature, which didn’t sit well with him considering music was a big part of what made the original great. He said:
“The new version of The Lion King was a huge disappointment to me, because I believe they messed the music up. Music was so much a part of the original and the music in the current film didn’t have the same impact. The magic and joy were lost. The soundtrack hasn’t had nearly the same impact in the charts that it had 25 years ago, when it was the bestselling album of the year. The new soundtrack fell out of the charts so quickly, despite the massive box-office success.”
This comment was concerning from a critical standpoint, especially when Sir John had won an Oscar for his music in the original 1994 film.
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Why Is The Lion King So Iconic?
What makes an exceptional film an icon in the eyes of the audience is just how memorable it was and the emotions those memories are attached to.
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The bonds of family that were always on the precipice of snapping were kept strong by new bonds of friendship that intertwined and created a world for Simba to grow up strong and kind, which later made him the king that everyone could love and respect. Along with several comical and emotional bits and stories connecting to the larger tale, the film became an epic for generations to come.
The Lion King, streaming on Disney+.
