DVD Review

The Lion King

With the release of The Lion King on DVD, it becomes very apparent that animated movies over the years have really lacked an epic sensation. Though I don?t find Lion King to be as fantastic as some would claim, it is still the best effort I?ve seen from Disney?s animation department (not including computer animation).

Lion King?s humor is not as fun as Aladdin (B) or Emperor?s New Groove (B), but the film achieves greatness in its storytelling and the terrific voice-work. The film?s messages are also shoved into the audience?s face a bit much for the non-family demographic, but regardless, The Lion King may end up being as good as it gets from Walt Disney?s animation studio.

The Lion King follows the journey of Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas), a newly born cub; his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones), is the king in the Circle of Life where species like themselves reside. Scar (Jeremy Irons), an evil lion whom wants to be king, sends Simba out into the valley where his father has warned him not to venture; Scar creates a stampede in the valley, which sends Mufasa out to try and save his son. Mufasa is soon killed in his rescue, with Simba now at blame for his father?s death (by Scar), with Scar the new king.

Years later after the death of his father, Simba (now Matthew Broderick) is still living in regret over the incident and is told by fellow peers that he holds the power of his father in the Circle of Life is he so chooses to acquire the confidence. The Lion King follows Simba?s path of discovering his identity, which means stepping up against Scar; though the film is predictable (anyone would know that), this storytelling method works remarkably well.

From the minute Lion King opens, it is clear the viewer is in for something special, as usually the best movies open with a bang (of some sort). The power of the introduction is nearly perfect, and the script sets up the characters ideally in order to get to know them by the time conflicts sets in. The film is quite entertaining and the animation works levels above some of Disney?s latest efforts, and while the voices are about spot-on, the film lacks comedic spark in some scenes that Disney?s Finding Nemo (B+) achieved beautifully.

Though Nemo didn?t reach fantastic levels with me either, I found it more enjoyable, with the messages not thrown into the viewer?s face with so much force. In some ways Nemo is a classic in the genre, but I thought it could?ve been funnier even if it is a blast on its own; Lion King?s humor doesn?t work as genuinely, but the acting and story components compensate.

With The Lion King, we know where the story is going, but if you?re sucked in early on, you may not care. As someone who does not always admire formula-run, feel-good stories, I myself was won over by Lion King?s journey, and while I feel it could?ve been better, it is still a landmark film.

DVD Features:
- Original Release
- First-Ever Digital Presentation
- Timon's Grab-A-Grub Game
- The Lion King Personality Profile Game
- Pumbaa's Sound Sensations
- Music Videos
-- "Circle of Life
-- "Can You Feel the Love"
- Deleted Scenes
- The Making of "Morning Report"
- Storymaking Magic
- Disney Animals
- Exclusive Interviews with Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage
- Character Design
- Computer Animation
- African Art Inspiration
- Widescreen

Audio Features:
- (English) Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
- THX Certified

Lee's Grade: B+
Ranked #17 of 45 between Natural Born Killers (#16) and The Mask (#18) for 1994 movies.

A	0.4%
B	30.0%
C	61.7%
D	8.0%
F	0.0%