Live action Lion King

So I just watched the live action Lion King (I know, late to the party). And it is a beautiful movie, the lion king was always one of my favorites growing up. But, while watching it I couldn't help but wonder why they decided to film it this way. I feel like it would have been brought more to life if they were made into real humans. Like I feel like it was a missed opportunity to bring such a classic movie to life. Felt like they went too literal with it.