I have seen, and loved, the orginal animated version and the Broadway show and this movie rates a 10 right along side them! The overall feel of the film was as if you were right there in the pridelands with them. (I saw it in 3D which really adds to the realism.) The few songs from the animated version and the show that were not sung were not missed as the staging was perfect and the music of those songs was played in the background. The emotions ran high - everyone in the theater was crying and laughing and clapping just as it was in the theaters for the animated version and the Broadway show. The inclusion of several bars of Mozart's Requiem at Mufasa's death was absolute genius! And I loved the portion of Beyonce's new song "Spirit. it really fit the scene. And, there's a wonderful nod to another classic Disney film - the audience was in stitches! BRAVO to Disney for a wonderful film.