'The Lion King' roars: First reactions call new animated film 'a visual masterpiece'

After the world premiere of "The Lion King" in Los Angeles, film critics and journalists flocked to Twitter to share their first reactions of director Jon Favreau's take on the Disney classic. 

Hours earlier, the Hollywood red carpet was transformed into an African safari, with stars like Beyonce (who voices Nala and arrived with daughter Blue Ivy Carter), Donald Glover (Simba), Seth Rogen (Pumbaa), Chiwetel Ejiofor (Scar), Keegan-Michael Key (Kamari) and Billy Eichner (Timon) arriving in style.

"The Lion King" hits theaters on July 19. What do early critics have to say of the reimagined film?

The visuals are stunning

BuzzFeed senior film reporter Adam B. Vary called "The Lion King" "a landmark *visual* experience. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I think it’s going to change how we look at movies forever." He added, "As an *emotional* experience, though…I’ll put it this way: It turns out lions can’t really emote."
 

#TheLionKing is a landmark *visual* experience. I’ve never seen anything like it, and I think it’s going to change how we look at movies forever.

As an *emotional* experience, though…I’ll put it this way: It turns out lions can’t really emote.

— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) July 10, 2019

Uproxx senior entertainment writer Mike Ryan was blown away. "Holy smokes, I really loved THE LION KING," he tweeted. "I think (I think) it’s the most beautiful effects movie I’ve seen. Like next level, the game has changed kind of thing. (For the record I’m agnostic on the original movie and have zero nostalgia for it. Anyway, this movie hooked me.)"

The Wrap reporter Beatrice Verhoeven called "The Lion King" a "visual masterpiece."

"Oh man #TheLionKing delivers," she tweeted. "It’s a visual masterpiece that will leave you smiling and crying the whole time. It’s a true testament to the lasting effect Disney movies have on all generations. Timon and Pumbaa steal the show. And BEYONCE!!!"
 

Oh man #TheLionKing delivers. It’s a visual masterpiece that will leave you smiling and crying the whole time. It’s a true testament to the lasting effect Disney movies have on all generations. Timon and Pumbaa steal the show. And BEYONCE!!! #LionKing

— Beatrice Verhoeven (@bverhoev) July 10, 2019

Film reporter Alisha Grauso called the film "a dazzler. Gorgeous score, spot-on voice acting, but mostly, yeah, those visuals."

What about updates made to the 1994 film?

Gizmodo reporter Germain Lussier called the film "a wonderful adaptation of an iconic classic. It has a few small changes which enhance what was already great and everything else is right on point. The CG can be slightly distracting at times but the emotion quickly covers that. Loved it."

The Lion King is a wonderful adaptation of an iconic classic. It has a few small changes which enhance what was already great and everything else is right on point. The CG can be slightly distracting at times but the emotion quickly covers that. Loved it. pic.twitter.com/9QmsP3PmNh

— Germain Lussier (@GermainLussier) July 10, 2019

And IGN entertainment editor in chief Terri Schwartz said," if you’re hoping this will be a near-exact adaptation of the animated movie with some absolutely jaw-dropping visual effects, you’ll get what you’re looking for."

Wait! How was Beyonce as Nala?

"Really good!" said Vary in a separate tweet. "Nala’s role is indeed bigger, and Bey suits it perfectly. There’s a moment when she tells Simba he’s 'disappointed' her, and reader, the way Bey bit the “t” in that word chilled me and thrilled me."

Mashable deputy entertainment editor Angie J. Han called Bey's Nala "spirited."
 

#TheLionKing is exactly as advertised: a beat-for-beat remake of the original. Impressive animation and some ace casting choices (Beyoncé is a spirited Nala, John Oliver is an ideal Zazu) plus that music is still ?? - but it’s more nostalgic rehash than fresh reimagining

— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) July 10, 2019

"#TheLionKing is exactly as advertised: a beat-for-beat remake of the original. Impressive animation and some ace casting choices (Beyoncé is a spirited Nala, John Oliver is an ideal Zazu) plus that music is still - but it’s more nostalgic rehash than fresh reimagining," she tweeted.

And Bey is a huge benefit to the well-known soundtrack, notes Fandango managing editor Erik Davis.
 

#TheLionKing is visually immaculate & a game-changer for visual effects. It’s absolutely stunning in every way. The music shines (Glover & Beyoncé take it to another level), the performances are great (Timon, Pumbaa & Scar steal many scenes) & the emotions run HIGH. Truly great pic.twitter.com/lPH9Oo4ybb

— Erik Davis (@ErikDavis) July 10, 2019