Beyoncé’s new film, Black is King, is a timely reimagining of Disney’s The Lion King that brings a fresh perspective to the story and is ultimately better than last year’s photorealistic remake of the original film. Black is King serves as both a standalone film and visual album, featuring 17 tracks from Beyoncé’s companion album to the 2019 film, The Lion King: The Gift. Following a similar narrative to that of The Lion King, Black is King chronicles the life of a king from childhood to adulthood as he struggles to find himself and reclaim his rightful place after being sent away from his community. The story is told through song, poetry, and dance, and several actors appear as central characters like Simba, Mufasa, Scar, and Nala over the course of the film.
The Lion King (2019) is a more direct remake of the 1994 classic, and while it isn’t a shot-for-shot copy of its animated predecessor, it does come fairly close. The film features highly photorealistic animals and scenery along with a star-studded cast. Songs from the original film and the Broadway musical are included, along with two new songs – one written and performed by Beyoncé, and the other by Elton John. The Lion King remake combines techniques of animation and live action filmmaking to create a technical marvel. Unfortunately, it does not really bring anything new to the story, other than the innovative visuals.
Black is King breathes new life into the story of The Lion King by introducing a new artistic vision and a deeply meaningful cultural message. The visual album chooses to retell the classic story without rigidity. Though some central Lion King characters appear throughout, Black is King relies much more on abstract imagery and music to tell the story of Simba’s journey through a contemporary lens. Through music, fashion, dance, and acting, the film celebrates Black history, Black life, and African culture, while paying tribute to the struggles faced by Black people all over the world. Black is King draws inspiration from The Lion King without regurgitating the source material, and in many ways it tells its own story that is unique and culturally relevant.
The Lion King (2019) is unquestionably a stunning film to behold, but it lacks the inventive storytelling of Black is King and ends up being little more than an alternative version of an already beloved film. One of the strengths of that remake is its incredible cast of prominent actors and comedians. However, because the animals in the film are so lifelike, it’s difficult to access the emotion of the piece. The voice acting is energetic and truly well done, but when the film’s characters cannot convey that emotion in their bodies and faces, it just doesn’t translate. While the remake is an impressive technological feat, it can’t stand up to the legacy of the original film, which, though less realistic, carries much more emotional weight.
The essential reason that Beyoncé’s Black is King is better than The Lion King (2019) is because it is not a remake, but a retelling. It brings something new to the story by adding cultural context, incorporating the voices and ideas of many artists, and changing the expectations of how a story can be told. The Lion King (2019) is an artistic and technological achievement, but does little to help the story it tells evolve into something greater. Black is King reaches across genres and media not only to create a moving piece of art, but to celebrate and honor the Black community at a time of great political upheaval. Africa becomes a vital part of the film’s DNA, as opposed to simply a backdrop for the events of a story. While The Lion King (2019) is an interesting take on the original, Beyoncé’s Black is King is a better film that more effectively expands on its source material to create a stunning work of art with a deep emotional and cultural significance.
