A Critique of Nala’s Depiction in the 2019 Lion King Movie

As I rewatch the 2019 Lion King movie, I find myself critically analyzing the character of young Nala. Her voice acted by Alfre Woodard is very mature for a young cub, while Beyoncé's portrayal of the adult Nala sent chills down my spine.

Alfre Woodard: A Survivor for the Young Nala

Young Nala has a voice that fits the character well, but her portrayal by Alfre Woodard is a bit too mature for a little cub. A younger voice artist would have been better suited for this role. Her voice is reminiscent of young Simba’s older sibling, which is an unexpected and not entirely fitting development in the film.

Disentangling Beyoncé’s Nala: A Controversial Choice

When it comes to Beyoncé as Nala, my thoughts are overwhelmingly negative. Although Beyoncé is a talented musician, her performance as Nala's adult voice is just… cringeworthy. The lack of emotion in her voice and the clinical tone of their duet, “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” only added to my disappointment. It’s important to note that I have not delved too deeply into Beyoncé’s music but have seen almost none of her acting roles.

Emotional Dissonance in the Duet

The duet “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is another sore point in the film. The version in the 2019 remake lacks the magic and emotional resonance of the original film and even the Broadway production. Beyoncé’s emphasis on riffing, a technique that can be effective, was overused in this song. It felt as if they were trying to incorporate a modern twist, but the results were far from enchanting.

Heather Headley’s Broadway Performance

Trivia note: I’ve been told that fans can’t accept Beyoncé's vocal prowess over the original’s Moira Kelly. However, I believe this comparison is a red herring. Heather Headley’s performance on Broadway was fantastic and enhanced the song with her warmth and depth. The 2019 version, however, felt disjointed, as if it were an amalgamation of two separate performances.

Donald Glover’s Voice Acting: A Ruined Scepter

Donald Glover’s voice acting in the 2019 remake is particularly disappointing. His narration and acting skills left much to be desired, with a performance so script-driven it felt like he was just reading his lines. The chemistry between Simba and Nala, a pivotal element in the original film, was largely absent in the remake. Disney should seriously consider whether Glover should pursue another voice acting gig given his subpar performance.

A Critical OPUS of the 2019 Lion King Remake

While watching the 2019 remake of The Lion King, I encountered several issues, and Nala’s voice acting is just one of them. The villainous Scar, voiced by John Di Maggio, and the two cubs, voiced by Seth Rogen and Billy Eichner, also had notable shortcomings. On the plus side, the song “Never Too Late” sung by John Leguizamo and Benedict Cumberbatch was a memorable highlight, and Donald Glover’s role as Simba had a more palpable presence compared to Beyoncé’s interpretation of Nala.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite the nostalgic charm of the original 1994 Lion King film, the 2019 remake is a mixed bag. My love for the classic Disney movie is unshaken, and I am yet to forgive Disney for the ruins of the remake, particularly with the misused talents of Beyoncé and Donald Glover.