The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition)

Simba is the heir to the lion's throne-ahead of his scraggly uncle Scar. The boisterous young cub bounces around the savanna with his best friend (and fiancee) Nala, as well as spluttery rhinobird Zazu and his majestic, kindly father Mufasa. Mufasa is no distant "king of the forest," like Bambi's dad-he has an active and excellent role in his son's life. Good role model there.

But when a freak stampede kills Mufasa, Scar tells the traumatized Simba that it's his fault. The cub runs away from home, hounded by hyenas into a waterless wasteland. There he is found by a meerkat and a warthog named Timon and Pumbaa, both outcasts. The duo becomes a trio, and years pass by... until the hunger-crazed Nala appears, telling Simba what has happened while he was gone.

A warning: Timon and Pumbaa's cutie gross-out antics get old quick. Just tune them out, except for the "luau dance."

Aside from the gorgeous musical score, the animation is truly spectacular, combined with excellent voices. The scene where Mufasa speaks to Simba to urge him back ends with a heartfelt, "Father, don't leave me..." that moves me to tears. Excellent and dramatic is the "Circle of Life" song at the beginning, the battle with Scar, and the glorious shot of Simba climbing Pride Rock, roaring, and being saluted by his subjects.

This movie will make you cry, laugh, and show you strength in the making. Don't miss it.


Not just a Bambi ripoff   August 7, 2000
 27 out of 31 found this review helpful

Although it might be accused of plot similarities to "Bambi", The Lion King stands on it's own as the best animated film of Disney's silver age save for "Beauty and the Beast".

It starts off with the greatest opening sequence in animation history, which already must rank within the top ten moments in all animation, period. Disney has since tried to match it in "Dinosaurs", but it remains unequalled. The inimitable "Circle of Life" has no rival except "When you wish upon a star" as Disney mood-setting music.

The animals of the African plains pay homage to the new lion prince, Simba, at his birth. Already he has one strike against him in his father Mufasa's brother Scar, bitter because Simba is now the heir to the throne of the pridelands. While Simba and his friend Nala grow, Scar plots with hyena henchmen to dethrone Mufasa. Scar's moment comes in one devestating blow, managing to make the young cub stricken with guilt in the process.

Simba runs off and is saved from death by exposure to the elements by Pumbaa, a kind warthog, and Timon, his meerkat best friend. As an adult, he has forgotten his legacy until a now-grown Nala and Rafiki, his father's baboon best friend, remind him. He goes to face the hour of reckoning with Scar, his friends by his side.

The movie includes some of the best voicing work and dialogue in the Disney cannon, especially that of Scar - so evil as portrayed by Jeremy Irons that he actually drew a gasp from my jaded father - and Nathan Lane's Timon, who I feel will eventually take his place as Disney's greatest second banana (and no, I'm not forgeting the Seven Dwarves or Cinderella's mice). His now famous luau scene is Disney's supreme howler moment.


Wounderful Movie   August 6, 2000
 1 out of 1 found this review helpful

The Lion King is one of the best and most wounderful movies I have ever seen. And It is so much better then The Lion King II Simbas Pride. This movie can bring the whole family togather. It is great for young children trust me I loved it when I was 5 or 6 when I came out. It also has the best and most beautiful songs. Bye It Today, in that matter buy it NOW!!!!!