Can Beyonce feel 'The Lion King' love? What critics are saying about her Nala performance

Reviews for "The Lion King," Disney's remake of the 1994 animated classic, are important.

But of utmost importance to the Beyhive is the question: How is Beyoncé's performance as lioness Nala going down with the critics?

Just like everything else in director Jon Favreau's remake, which has a 55% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Beyoncé reviews are mixed – from exuberantly positive to meh.

The appeal of Nala's expanded role in the new film goes beyond putting new layers into a central character. The new "Lion King" features Beyoncé singing alongside Donald Glover's Simba on the Oscar-winning song "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and her new single "Spirit."

Here's how critics are calling it:

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USA TODAY film Brian Truitt wrote that "Beyoncé brings all the necessary fire as Nala, a lion willing to do anything to protect her pride." Truitt praised the soundtrack and "the Beyoncé-powered song “Spirit” added in a fist-pumping sequence for Simba and Nala."

A.O. Scott of the The New York Times took the anticipated duet right on, writing that Simba and Nala "grow up into Donald Glover and Beyoncé, and when they get going on 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' …”

He paragraph-paused for effect before adding, "It’s OK."

Variety senior film critic Peter Debruge gave praise, making it clear that Nala was an improvement on the animated version because of the singer's performance.

"The pop star conveys nuances in Nala’s personality that weren’t there before," he wrote, adding that the “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” montage "feel like an entirely new discovery."

"Beyoncé also contributes a largely unnecessary, but exhilarating new single, 'Spirit,' Debruge wrote.

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Richard Roeper, of the Chicago Sun-Times loved the film and the performances. Really, he did.

"Donald Glover voices the grown-up Simba and Beyoncé Knowles is Nala, and what a shame Disney couldn’t find some insanely talented performers and had to settle for those two, cough-cough.

"Clarification for the out-of-context police," he added. "I’m kidding. They’re great. Thank you."

Alissa Wilkinson of Vox singled out the singer to point out problems with the performances.

"Some of the most prominent voice actors feel like they’re just reading their lines (including, unfortunately, Beyoncé)," Wilkinson wrote.

"Beyoncé also recorded one of the two original songs written for the movie, 'Spirit,' which seems obviously headed for an Oscar nomination because, well, Beyoncé," she added.

Kristen Lopez of Gizmodo had structural issues with the acting, which she says is an issue with Alfre Woodard's lioness Sarabi as well.

"Alfre Woodard and Beyoncé Knowles-Carter have fantastic voices for this movie, though like all the other lion characters they’re flat, affectless, and given little to do."

Sparks fly when Nala (voiced by Beyonce, left)  reunites with childhood bestie Simba (Donald Glover) in
Sparks fly when Nala (voiced by Beyonce, left) reunites with childhood bestie Simba (Donald Glover) in

Scott Mendelson gave faint Beyoncé praise in a scathing Forbes film review.

"Simba (voiced by JD McCrary as a youth and Donald Glover as an adult) and Nala (Shahadi Wright Joseph/Beyonce Carter-Knowles) are fine but they are mostly overshadowed by their co-stars," Mendelson wrote. "Beyoncé gets a new Oscar-friendly single, and her and Glover sing 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight?' together with relative success."

Britain's Daily Mirror invoked the singer in the glowing review headline: "Beyoncé roars in fierce Disney remake."

Chris Hunneysett wrote that Donald Glover and Beyoncé were "charming as Simba and best friend Nala."

Beyonce, right, arrives at the world premiere of
Beyonce, right, arrives at the world premiere of

We'll give the final word to Jazz Tangcay of Awards Daily. She loved the singer's performance.

Beyoncé. Beyoncé. Beyoncé. Yes, go down the social media vortex, mention this film, and her beehive is swarming, curious to know how much we get to hear her voice. The answer is, thanks to the extra thirty minutes, we have more Nala than ever, and her expanded role opens up an enormous range of emotional depth. Nala’s toughness that left many of us wanting more in the 1994 animation, fulfills its full potential now as the fierce lioness who encourages Simba back to the Pride Land and be the king he was destined to be.

There is a line Nala has when fighting back that will no doubt become a meme, a gif and a new motto for her legion of fans. She does indeed have a new song, Spirit. Listen to it on Spotify. It’s a powerful anthem. ... Don’t be surprised to see 'Spirit' become a strong contender for Best Original Song.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The Lion King' reviews: How Beyonce's Nala is faring with critics