'Beast' review: Idris Elba fights a lion in exciting thriller with B-movie bite

Yes, Idris, we're shocked by how entertaining 'Beast' is as well. – Photos: UIP Malaysia

Sharks, grizzlies, giant snakes and rampaging apes have traditionally been the go-to choices for animal-kingdom antagonists in survival thrillers. Lions not so much.

Maybe the king of the jungle has always been too regal, too majestic - too heroic - to be lowered to the status of mere summer-movie marauder.