dAfter the appointment with The beauty and the Beastup Rai 1 you keep dreaming. Tonight at 21.25 goes on air The Lion King, remake of one of the greatest classics ever branded Disney. Released in 2019 and directed by Jon Favreau, the movie cast counts among the voice actors Donald Glover, JD McCrary, Seth Rogen and Beyoncé. At the Italian versionInstead, they participate Marco Mengoni, Luca Ward, Edoardo Leo, Elisa and Stefano Fresi.
The Lion Kingthe plot of the movie
It’s party time in the savannah. The rulers of the Lands of the Pack Mufasa (James Earl Jones – Luca Ward) and Sarabi (Alfre Woodard – Antonella Giannini) summon all the animals to celebrate the birth of their firstborn, Simba (JD McCrary). The ceremony immediately heralds clashes between Mufasa and the younger brother Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor – Massimo Popolizio). The latter, in fact, deserted the party in honor of his nephew. The reason is simple: with the birth of Simba, the chances of obtaining the throne are further reduced.
Meanwhile, life flows on in the savannah. Simba grows up and is a curious lion, aware that one day he will be king. His point of reference is Mufasa, who explains to him what his responsibilities will be once in command. Also, she explains to him the circle of lifethe one in which «we are all connected».
While in, Scar hatches a plan to knock out his nephew. When he meets Simba, she tells him about Elephant Cemetery, a gloomy place, beyond the borders of the kingdom. Heedless of any danger, Simba sneaks in with friend Nala (Shahadi Wright Joseph) and here they are attacked by three hyenas: Shenzi (Florence Kasumba – Rossella Acerbo), Azizi (Keegan-Michael Key – Paolo Vivio) and Kamari (Eric André – Alessandro Budroni). Luckily, Mufasa promptly intervenes, saving both Simba and Nala.
Musafa and Simba in a scene from “The Lion King”. (IPA)
The death of Musafa and the escape of Simba
However, Scar can’t bring himself to assuage his anger and harbors the desire to access the throne. He offers the hyenas a deal: if they kill Mufasa, they will be able to remain in the Pride Lands, i.e. within the realm, and feed themselves as they please. At the same time, he sets a new trap for Simba after dragging him down a gorge. Once again, Mufasa saves him.
Soon after, however, to escape the clutches of a herd of wildebeest, he climbs a steep wall. At the top he sees Scar, to whom he asks for help, but his brother – blinded by jealousy – makes him fall, thus causing his death. Not yet fully satisfied with the crime, he blames Simba for the king’s death and advises him to flee as no one will respect him anymore.
Devastated by grief and the news, Simba takes the advice and flees. Chasing him are the hyenas hired by the evil Scar, but the lion cub is saved, making the hyenas believe he is dead. Left alone in the Pridelands, Scar achieves his purpose, proclaiming himself king.
Beyoncé in 2019 in London, at the European premiere of “The lion King”, in which she lends her voice to Nala. (IPA)
Nala’s Return
Some time after, Simba is knocked unconscious in the desert and is saved by Timon (Billy Eichner – Edoardo Leo) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen – Seth Rogen)a meerkat and a warthog who begin to look after him lightly, with the motto Hakuna matata, and that is to face life without thoughts. Under their wing, he grows into a young adult lion.
With the death of Musafa and his escape, the Pridelands fell into the hands of Scar and the hyenas. The violence of these caused the exodus of herds and today the kingdom is devastated. Among the fugitives, too Nala, now an adult (Beyoncé – Elisa), who runs into Timon and Pumbaa in the jungle. She is ready to tear them apart when Simba arrives.
after time, they finally find each other and it is clear that they are still in love with each otheralthough neither of them dare to take the first step. Nala asks Simba (Marco Mengoni) to confront Scar, but the future lion king refuses because he is too frightened by the past, which he has forcibly put behind him. The lioness therefore decides to leave.
Donald Glover and Marco Mengoni at the world premiere of “The Lion King”, in which they voice Simba, respectively in the English and Italian versions. (Getty images)
The ending of The Lion King
For its part, Simba meets Rafiki (John Kani – Toni Garrani), the shaman who raised him before the animals of the Pride Lands when he was just a puppy. Rafiki forces him to mirror himself in the water, explaining that his father Mufasa never left himbut still living inside him.
Also, with sweet, soulful words, convinces him to return to the Pridelands to take back his place as king. At this point, Simba leaves for what was once his home and does so together with Nala, ready to face uncle Scar alla Rupe. A match-clash worthy of the best Disney tales.
iO Woman © REPRODUCTION RESERVED