Wednesday, July 1, 2020

The Lion King 2019 By

One of the most anticipated films of 2019 is Disneys live-action remake of the 1994 classic animated movie The Lion King. Created using advanced computer imaging technology, The Lion Kingpromises to bring to the big screen the beloved story in all its photorealistic glory. Teasers and trailers have been trending on the internet for months now, and audiencesold and young alikehave expressed great anticipation for the film. But given that the original was a classic, it begs the question of why Disney created a new version. The remake, of course, is not really a surprise. The Lion Kingis just the latest in a long list of remakes that Disney has released in the past few years. Theres Maleficent in 2014 which gave Sleeping Beauty a new twist. Then theres Beauty and the Beastin 2017. And just over a week ago, Disney released the trailer for the 2020 remake of Mulan.There are some very good reasons why The Lion Kingdeserved a remake, but perhaps the most important of these is the least obvi ous. It is a simple and powerful thing known as nostalgia.The Lion King ReimaginedFew Disney movies have been as successful as The Lion King. Apart from being a massive critical and box office success, the film inspired sequels, spin-offs, and a widely-praised Broadway stage adaptation. The movies success alone is perhaps enough reason why it deserves to be remade using current technologies. As the level of computer imaging reached new heights, filmmakers and audiences alike have come to wonder how hand-drawn films would look like if reimagined as live-action flicks. And reimagining they certainly do, as remakes of old favorites are released one by one. The Lion Kingis an obvious choice. After all, if studios get to remake only a handful of movies, shouldnt this classic be one of them? The Lion King is more than just a lion and kingdoms, but its a motivational movie for those who want to be involved in filmmaking or animation.A Mostly Black CastThe Lion King remake is evidently also Disneys chance to make films the right way. Racial issues, in particular, are sensitive subjects in Hollywood. Not a small number of filmmakers and studios have found themselves in hot water after being accused of whitewashing non-white characters. Disney has clearly been trying to avoid this. The Lion Kingappears to be one of their more recent efforts at being inclusive. The film features a mostly black cast, with all the lion and hyena characters played by actors and actresses of African descent. This film comes on the heels of Aladdin, a previous remake that cast actors and actresses of Middle Eastern, North African, or Indian descent, and right before Mulan, an upcoming remake with a mostly East Asian cast.Capturing a New Generationand Recapturing the OldThough there are good reasons why The Lion Kingwas remade, perhaps the most compelling is nostalgia, or more specifically what nostalgia is capable of accomplishing. Nostalgia is difficult to define, but most would agree that i t is the feeling of sentimentality or longing for the past. Remember that Disney is still a corporation with typically corporate needs such as consumers and revenues. To sustain its business, Disney must not only win over new audiences but also maintain its current viewers. But in a stroke of pure genius, remakes such as The Lion Kingaccomplishes both challenges.First, The Lion Kingis designed to recapture its old audiences. Disney has basically realized that the millions of children who loved The Lion King in 1994 are now all grown up, working, and earning disposable incomes that they would willingly spend to see their beloved movie come alive on the big screen again. A big chunk of those who plan to see The Lion King are young adults who saw the film in their childhood. They are those who grew up remembering their heart-wrenching scenes and singing its songs. Disney is well-aware that The Lion King and other films such as Aladdinand Mulan tug at the heartstrings of these young adu lts. These films have acquired a brand new look, but they also offer their audiences the comfort of the familiar. Viewing these films is not just about allowing audiences to revisit the sights and sounds of their childhood; it is not just about seeing their films enhanced by new technology; it is also about taking them back to an innocent, happy, and carefree time in their life. The seeds sown by Disney 25 years ago are now mature and ready for the reaping. There are elements in The Lion King that are very well-produced and written, and can even be subject to a lengthy research paper if given the chance.But beyond recapturing its old audiences, Disney also relies on nostalgia to build a new generation of devoted fans. The Lion Kingremakeis most probably a beautiful film in its own right. Most kids who havent yet seen the 1994 film will likely fall in love with this movie the same way young adults fell in love with the original in 1994. But nostalgia gives young parents extra incenti ve to take their children to the movies. Young parents who love the original would without a doubt consider viewing the remake with their kids a special moment. It is not just a time to bond; it is also a time for parents to introduce their children to something that made their childhood memorable. A generation from now, these young kids will have their turn initiating their own children.Its easy to accuse Disney of being lazy and just cashing in on nostalgia by rehashing classics. But such an assumption is dismissive of the passionate artists behind these movies. It overlooks the fact that a tremendous amount of work goes into remaking a classic film using new technology. A remake is not meant to duplicate an existing classic; it is meant to complement it. If anything, a remake is an homage to the immortality of a classic.Writing services for college studentsAt this point in time, nostalgia is the most potent element of Disneys films, and Disneys deep understanding of nostalgia is the secret to the success of its remakes. That much can be admitted. But if Disney has relied so much on nostalgia these past few years, its only because it has made such wonderful films in the pastfilms that are worthy of praise and study. In such matters, can be your partner. 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