James Joyce

What a wonderful film this was. Beautiful imagination, with an expert voice cast that really brings the characters and their intimate feelings and emotions to life. This is a story about life and getting stuck in a rut, losing that passion but then discovering a flicker of something that brings you happiness. It's a wonderful story told in the typically kooky and darkly comedic ways of Charlie Kaufman.

One of the most visually groundbreaking shows I have ever seen. The storytelling was so easy to follow but very well laid out with flourishes of magic, action, love, humour and terror in equal measure. The puppets felt more than alive, full of emotion particularly the Skeksis. They will haunt my nightmares for many years. You can see the vast amount of love and detail that has gone into this. Every frame is a work of art.

I certainly enjoyed this film though it was by no means perfect. Visually this film was incredibly impressive. The CGI carries it, particularly Pumba. You could tell me that they trained a Warthog to talk and I would believe you. This goes for most of the animals featured, however I found the lion cubs to not be the most effective, CGI wise. Not sure why. Some of the voice acting grated on me, JD McRary who played young Simba didn't capture that pureness you love about Simba and in the songs he sings he warbles making for an annoying touch to classic songs such as 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King". I also hated John Oliver's voice performance of Zazu, he doesn't Rowan Atkinson's animated take and instead just annoyed me every time Zazu was on screen. Though on the whole was an enjoyable movie which was very well made with the best intentions of honouring the original animation. Billy Eichner and Seth Rogan steal the show, the moment Timon opens his mouth things get hilarious. Definitely go and see it, but lovers of the original will find that hard to top.