Click below to hear Tim’s reviews of the new Disney+ releases “The Mandalorian” and the live-action “Lady and the Tramp” with Paul Douglas and Jordana Green on WCCO-AM. The segment is brought to you by Michael Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant. The segment, which begins at 7:30 minute mark, also includes another segment where Tim discusses the streaming wars with Paul and Jordana.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show” on KQRS-FM, “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO Radio, “It Matters with Kelly Cordes on WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere, and reviews streaming programming on WCCO Radio’s “Paul and Jordana” as well. On TV, Tim has made hundreds of guest appearances on “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC).
The cinematic circle of life is now complete with the updated version of “The Lion King,” director Jon Favreau’s visually stunning live action rendering of the 1994 Disney animated classic. Faced with a no-win situation of either changing up the story and certainly facing fan ire or staying faithful to the 25-year-old original, director Jon Favreau took the path of least resistance and went with a virtual shot-by-shot remake of the film, which still felt energized by the photorealistic setting and characters, a winning voice cast and of course, stirring songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, as well as the iconic score by Hans Zimmer.
For the uninitiated few who’ve never seen the film on the big screen or video, “The Lion King” tells the story of Mufasa (voice of James Earl Jones – the only 1994 cast member to reprise his role), a majestic lion king who is blessed with the birth of his first cub, Simba (JD McCrary). The young lion immediately earns his birthright to become heir of the throne, which a fate Mufasa’s brother, Scar (Chiwetel Ejiofor), refuses to accept. Staging the cruel death of Mufasa and leading Simba to believe he’s at fault for it, Scar rules the pride with a villainous pack of hyenas by his side, destroying the morale of Mufasa’s queen, Sarabi (Alfre Woodard) and her loved ones and decimating the environment around them.
AUDIO: Hear Tim review “The Lion King” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM. Segment brought to you by Mike Bryant and Bradshaw & Bryant.
Meanwhile, Simba, thought dead by Scar, escaped and grew into adulthood thanks to the comical meerkat and warthog duo of Timon (Billy Eichner) and Pumbaa (Seth Rogen), and once a full grown lion, Simba (Donald Glover) happens upon his childhood friend Nala (Beyonce Knowles-Carter) to learn of the devastation Scar has caused. Returning home to the pride to confess to accident that killed his father, Simba learns who was really responsible for Mufasa’s death, setting up a fight for the throne and a last-ditch effort to save his home.
Despite the fact that “The Lion King” is as much a remake as a remake gets, Favreau and his visual effects crew still have to be credited for creating a canvas that’s even more stunning than the director’s wondrous live-action adaptation of “The Jungle Book” in 2016. Granted, those familiar with the tale of “The Lion King” will likely hold the memories of the original film dear, and the story won’t seem nearly as fresh as when they first saw it; but that likely won’t be the case for younger viewers, and there’s no question that the new film will become a classic for a new generation.
As familiar as the new “Lion King” feels, the story does give Nala a bigger role (if you get Beyonce in your movie, you have to make it worth her while), including a new song, “Spirit,” which is destined for a Best Original Song Oscar nomination (John and Rice, who won an Oscar for “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” also penned a pair of new songs ). The film’s photorealistic effects also make some of the characters feel more daunting, particularly the hyenas, which are much more frightening than they were in animated form (the original film was rated G).
Favreau no doubt added more subtle moments to the film, which is nearly a half-hour longer than the original. Fans will no doubt be able to discover the differences between the new “Lion King” and the original with multiple viewings, which will no doubt happen when this film reaches video after what is guaranteed a very successful theatrical run. After 25 years, “The Lion King’s” roar is as loud as ever.
Lammometer: 8 (out of 10)
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for “The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
You will believe an elephant can fly – and capture our hearts once again – with “Dumbo,” director Tim Burton’s emotional and exhilarating live-action reimaging of the 1941 Disney animated film classic. Using the conclusion of the animated film as a springboard for this new tale, “Dumbo” expands the storyline to imagine from a human point-of-view what takes place after the large-eared baby elephant takes flight and triumphs over those who ostracized him, only to encounter those who want to exploit his unique gift.
“Dumbo” begins in 1919, recalling the events just before the conclusion of the animated film where an over-sized pachyderm shows an amazing ability to fly. It’s a particularly startling occurrence, because in the real-world setting in which this live-action “Dumbo” exists, the animals don’t talk and Timothy Q. Mouse is, well, just a mouse. As such, Dumbo, as the baby elephant comes to be dubbed, is born into the circus run by Max Medici’s (Danny DeVito), and he’s put in the care of Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell), a World War I solider who returns at the conclusion of the battle missing an arm and a widow, since his fellow circus performer wife died while he was away.
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Dumbo” with Tom Barnard on “The KQ Morning Show” on KQRS-FM.
Clearly distraught from the recent traumatic events in his life, Holt is also struggling to reconnect with his young children, Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins). Fortunately, the two kids strike up a kinship with the young, outcast elephant, whom they discover has an uncanny ability to fly. Once Dumbo’s magical ability is revealed to the world, slick entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton) swoops in and convinces Medici to become his partner in his new entertainment megalopolis Dreamland, where the elephant will soar with his aerial star, Collette Marchant (Eva Green). Behind Vandevere’s shiny exterior, though, is a conniving showman will push the limits of safety to make big money on his newest curiosity.
Fans of Burton will get everything they’re hoping for with “Dumbo,” from dazzling visual effects – Dumbo feels like a living breathing creature who really can fly – a big-time, big-top atmosphere, as well as the darker moments fans associate with the director’s previous works. The darker feel comes from the sinister intentions of Vandevere, though, and not the Gothic settings that have been showcased in many of Burton’s previous films. Instead, we get big, bright and dazzling set pieces (courtesy the director’s longtime collaborator, production designer Rick Heinrichs), as well as stunning period costumes via the filmmaker’s frequent collaborator Colleen Atwood.
While reimaging a classic film like “Dumbo” is no doubt a tall order, it’s clear that Burton didn’t set out to top the original “Dumbo” with this new live-action tale, but to create, along with screenwriter Ehren Kruger, a story that sensibly expands the narrative and ultimately serves as a bookend to the 1941 original.
That’s not to say key elements from the animated film were omitted. Dumbo flies thanks to aid of a feather, but uses it in a different sort of way. Plus, you still get the heartbreaking separation of Dumbo from Mrs. Jumbo (accompanied by a new, heartstring-tugging rendition of “Baby Mine”), and some of the big-top antics in the new film hearken the heartache of the baby elephant being ridiculed by unforgiving circus patrons. But with this new version of the tale Dumbo also gets a new family, who are appropriately a group of fellow outcasts who perform in Medici’s circus.
AUDIO: Hear Tim’s review of “Dumbo” with Paul Douglas and Jordana on “Paul and Jordana” on WCCO-AM.
To create a family film about a family of outcasts, Burton smartly reassembled many members of his movie family for “Dumbo.” In addition to Keaton, DeVito and Green, “Dumbo” once again teams Burton with Alan Arkin (who last worked with the director on “Edward Scissorhands”), as well as with his longtime producer Derek Frey and producer/first assistant director Katterli Frauenfelder. The reunion isn’t complete, though, without composer Danny Elfman, whose memorable score weaves in elements of the original “Dumbo’s” music along with his own classic sensibilities.
All told, “Dumbo” is magical tale of wonder, along with plenty of heart, hope and humor. It’s a rare family film for kids of all ages, whether it’s the child who grew up with the animated “Dumbo,” only to become parents to show the movie to their own kids; or to a younger generation who now have a “Dumbo” movie to call their own.
Tim Lammers reviews movies weekly for The KQ92 Morning Show,” “KARE 11 News at 11” (NBC), WCCO Radio, WJON-AM, KLZZ-FM, “The Tom Barnard Podcast” and “The BS Show” with Bob Sansevere.
A veteran of British TV and film, Scottish actress Amy Manson took a brave new step, so to speak, into American television this season when she was cast in the recurring role of Merida in the hit ABC adventure fantasy series “Once Upon a Time.” Currently enjoying a mid-season break after appearing in six episodes last fall, Manson, 30, recently talked with me for D23.com. She discussed the origins of Merida—who, of course, debuted in the 2012 Disney/Pixar Best Animated Feature Oscar winner, “Brave”—her work on “Once Upon a Time,” and when she’ll appear on the show next after Season 5 resumes March 6.
Tim Lammers: During the mid-season break, have you had time to step back and let everything sink in about just how amazing this opportunity has been?
Amy Manson: Maybe when I went home for Christmas to Scotland. It’s one thing to be in your homeland as opposed to trying to re-create a place as your homeland, when you only have yourself, your thoughts, and your memories when you’re filming. Having time with my family in Scotland, and especially with my father—given the events of Merida’s storyline in the show—made me feel grateful. Being home really gave me my first chance to think of everything.
