The Lion King: A Remake Lets Us Indulge In Childhood Memories

Disney uses nostalgia to sell. These days there are several remakes of popular Disney films from the Disney renaissance. These remakes are meant to get us to go to the movies and indulge in the past. However, they may not live up to their expectations. One of the recently rematched films is also one of the most popular. It is the Hamlet of our time, The Lion King.

The Disney renaissance was a glorious era for the studio, spanning from 1989 to 1999, when Disney titles, among others, premiered:

• Mulan
• Tarzan
• Hercules
• Beauty and the Beast
• The little mermaid
• (and of course) The Lion King

This era produced many popular films that both children and adults enjoyed. Made with breakthrough technology at the time, these films took the magic of Disney to other levels.

In the years before the internet, movies were a huge part of people’s lives. Going to the movies was a big deal and an exciting experience.

The Lion King was a breakthrough. Everyone was talking about the film, everyone loved it. This fascination paved the way for a successful musical that is still running today. A reason for Disney to relive the fascination by remaking the wonderful film experience.

The Lion King: why remake a classic?

The short answer is: Because it’s profitable. But to be fair, other complex things also play a role. Audiences will storm the cinemas in droves to see the new version of a childhood classic, but they can be extremely critical of remakes.

The remake of the movie The Lion King is very special for another reason. While other classic Disney remakes may include more creative freedoms, The Lion King doesn’t allow for much of that. For many, it’s one of the best Disney films of all time; for others, it’s one of the best films out there.

So nostalgia and devotion can play against creative freedom. In a way, The Lion King is inviolable. The film cannot be changed as viewers would criticize additional details.

There are many reasons to remake a movie, from telling the story from a different angle to entering a new era. The interesting thing about the Simba story is that it is already a remake of a famous work: Hamlet . Compared to Hamlet , The Lion King is told from a different angle, since the action takes place in the animal kingdom.

If you look closely at the 2019 version, you can see that the creators were aware of how difficult it was to come to terms with the classic. As a result, they have remained overly true to the original. Was the remake necessary if it didn’t bring anything new to the table? Was it just a trip back in time or was it just about making a profit? Be that as it may, the audience poured into the cinemas and a portion of nostalgia was served up.

At the same time, the remake is an entertaining film. It has great graphics that are easily forgotten. It hardly shows anything new or innovative. Even so, the audience probably didn’t want anything new; everyone seemed happy to remember their childhood.

Hamlet’s ghost

The Lion King is a version of Hamlet . There are similarities to the original, but the film adaptation is a family-friendly accomplishment. Hamlet was groundbreaking in his day . Shakespeare’s tragedy dealt with their characters and their psychological characteristics, which was unthinkable at the time. Tragedies continue to be an important influence on universal literature.

In addition to using Hamlet as a reference, The Lion King focused on the emotions, feelings, and motivations of its characters. Although the story is about animals, it can feel deeply human.

In Hamlet , it is not just about revenge, but about human nature and characters whose analysis is a joy. In The Lion King we learn more about Mufasa and his relationship with his son. In this way, revenge is justified and children can empathize with the film.

So, The Lion King has a similar plot to Hamlet , but it also has an identity within the public imagination created by Disney. Through tragedy, comedy and music, the audience experiences the loss of a loved one. The remake offers a deeper reading of the characters and leaves the childish animation behind.

The Lion King and its current meaning

The new version of the Lion King offers an updated statement with a certain added value. The message of the film is about how humanity uses its resources and what value nature really has.

The life cycle is still the running theme. Mufasa explains to Simba the importance of understanding that all living things are fundamental, from animals to plants. If we let greed corrupt us and abuse the earth, the cycle of life will break and life will be no more.

Lions are considered strong animals that feed on others. However, Mufasa points out the importance of their bodies after death. They will nourish the earth where plants grow, which in turn are the food of some animals.

If everyone contributes to the cycle of life without abusing their position, life will be harmonious and possible, even if it may seem unfair at times.

Scar embodies greed, corruption and the desire to own everything and everyone. He doesn’t care about the other animals in his kingdom or that plants never grow again. In a way, Scar is contributing to the destruction of himself and his world.

This message offers a parallel to our world; on the climate emergency we are facing and the problems associated with inequality and abuse. By largely sticking to the original, the film takes the original message and brings it into our current reality so that the public identifies with what they see on screen.

Conclusion

The Lion King will always be a Disney classic. We probably won’t remember this remake in a few years. But the nostalgia will always be there; it will remind us of our childhood, bring us back to the original and let us sing along to the wonderful songs that are part of the soundtrack of our lives.