The Lion King

Yet another timeless classic from Disney and also one of my favorites. This 87 minute movie was released in 1994 and has since been performed on the stage and re-released in 3D animation.

Cast

King Mufasa (Lion) - James Earl Jones

Adult Simba (Lion) - Matthew Broderick

Cub Simba (Lion) - Jonathan Taylor Thomas

Scar (Lion) - Jeremy Irons

Sarabi (Lioness) - Madge Sinclair

Cub Nala (Lioness) - Niketa Calame

Adult Nala (Lioness) - Moira Kelly

Rafiki (Mandrill) - Robert Guillame

Zazu (Hornbill) - Rowan Atkinson

Timon (Meerkat) - Nathan Lane

Pumbaa (Warthog) - Ernie Sabella

Senzi (Hyena) - Whoopi Goldberg

Banzai (Hyena) - Cheech Marin

Ed (Hyena) - Jim Cummings

Plot

On the African planes there exists a pride of lions headed by a might lion known as King Mufasa and his wife Sarabi. His kingdom is known as the Pride Lands and there is a celebration occurring as we sweep over his kingdom: the young cub Simba is presented as future King to all the land. 


As with many young characters they often have difficulty in accepting responsibility as they merge into adulthood and will always be getting into some form of trouble. Simba's evil Uncle, Scar, takes this into account as he plans to kill Mufasa and take over the throne. A well planned 'accident' kills Mufasa and forces Simba into exile while Scar and his pack of hyenas take over Pride Rock.

Wandering in the Savannah the young cub meets Timon and Pumba. The unlikely duo take him in and teach him the ways of the jungle. Through the montage of 'Hakuna Matata' we see Simba growing into an adult lion. Timon and Pumba are the 'life of the party' and keep the story's emotional level up as they tell their jokes even at the most inappropriate times. With Timon and Pumba you will always have a laugh and momentarily forget the evilness and heartache of the previous couple of minutes.

Meanwhile Scar and the hyenas have turned the Pride Lands into a deserted wasteland, the animals have moved on and there is little water. This has caused Nala (Simba's best-friend from Pride Rock) to hunt outside the Kingdom. Nala finds Simba in the jungle (after trying to eat Pumba) and tries to convince him that he should return home as the rightful King. However, Simba is still running from his past and is convinced that the others would not accept him. 

Rafiki (an old family friend and King's counsel) follows Nala and eventually convinces Simba that he cannot change the past and that he must take his place as King in the circle of life. Returning home Simba is heart broken by what he sees and immediately challenges Scar as rightful heir. Will Simba convince Scar to step down and allow him to take the throne? It all depends on the outcome of the final battle of Pride Rock.

The final battle is an awesome clash between lion and hyena. The music increases the intensity of the battle and the animation illuminates the bloody battelfield as well as portraying the fear and anger of each side as they fight for the place of Pride Rock. 

Verdict 

I absolutely love the old Disney movies and The Lion King is no exception. It has everything a great movie needs: romance, horror, action, adventure, suspense, humor, and let us not for get the musical elements. The animation is fantastic and was the best when it was released and is easily adapted for the stage and has had some amazing reviews in that medium. 

Disney has again provided an amazing series of songs and soundtracks. They never fail to provide the right music to really set off the scene. For example, one of my favorite scenes is when Nala and Simba are rekindling their friendship and find love instead. This heart-touching scene is accompanied by 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight', it expresses Nala and Simba's love yet at the same time Timon and Pumba's concern that their friend will leave them.  Disney never ceased to amaze me with their music, the fact that they can have multiple conversations in any given song reminds of opera but for family animation. 

On the flip side, one of my favorite "evil" songs is Scar's 'Be Prepared'. Here he is talking about how he feels as an 'outcast' in the family and his evil plans to take over Pride Rock. The music is angry, low, and dark to simulate his words and the animation is almost like a general talking to his troops before battle (with hyenas as his troops). 

The Lion King will have you laughing, gripping the edge of your seat and crying into your pillow every time you watch it. Disney has once again plugged an amazing story into its unique formula and created yet another masterpiece.