Disney and director Jon Favreau’s new remake of “The Lion King” had its big premiere on Tuesday night, and the very first reactions to the “live-action” redo of Simba's iconic journey have begun to make their way online.

While many have begun to tire of Disney’s live-action remakes after a string mediocre releases, early takes appear to indicate that Favreau and his team have brought the same magic to “The Lion King” that they did with the 2016 remake of “The Jungle Book.”

Particular praise has been reserved for the cutting-edge photo-realistic visual effects employed to bring Pride Rock to life. While not technically “live-action,” early viewers report that the meticulous work on “The Lion King” might be the next best thing.

While no unexpected changes have been made, those who enjoyed the new film felt that it did the original, animated story justice. The performances of the ensemble cast have also received positive reactions, with many noting that Timon and Pumbaa (Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen, respectively) once again steal the show. The cast for this new film also includes Donald Glover, Beyoncé, and Chiwetel Ejiofor.

Not everyone is entirely on board, however.

Some have taken issue with the lack of originality in the new film, calling it another “retread” like many of Disney’s other remakes. For all their commercial success, remakes like “The Jungle Book,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Aladdin” have been heavily criticized for adding little to the original animated classics beyond the expensive new coats of paint.

Nevertheless, “The Lion King” has already been tracking for a huge opening weekend. No doubt this first wave of positive reactions will help build even more hype.

Disney will release “The Lion King” in theaters on July 19.

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Disney's "The Lion King" is a sure-fire hit. Disney
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