The Lion King Review
Witness the Journey of a Cub Growing Up to Become Ruler of the Pride
For many years, Disney has been pumping out one animated film after another. Starting in 1939, they released their first hit film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The 1990s proved to be a great decade for the mega company with hits like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin and The Lion King.
Set in the jungles of Africa, The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young prince born to his loving mother Sarabi and majestic father Mufasa. As he grows up he travels with his father and learns important life lessons, but also disobeys his elders and goes to an elephant graveyard, getting himself and his friends into deep trouble.
After a tragic life-changing event, Simba is ran out of the pridelands by his devious uncle Scar. Near death, he is found and saved by two new friends, who teach him the worriless life of luxury. Whether or not Simba comes to his senses in the end and faces his responsibility is left for audiences to find out on their own when they watch the movie.
Positive Aspects of the The Lion King
This movie is definitely one of the most well-animated in Disney's list. All the scenery and backdrops shine with realism. Some viewers may not help gaping at the sunlight pouring across the leafy hills and rocks, misty water falling from waterfalls and deserts looking dry and cracked from lack of moisture. It is quite realistic for an animated film and is definitely pretty to look at.
Characters are designed perfectly, looking anatomically correct despite the exaggerated cartoon expressions. Many (if not all of them) are likeable at times, but also flawed, which is a good thing since there aren't enough realistically-portrayed characters in animated movies anymore.
Mufasa's stern, yet warm hearted personality will make adults with children identify with him as a parent. His interaction with Simba is very realistic and sweet as he shows his son the ways of the jungle.
Simba also has pretty decent character development in the film. The motives for his growth may be questionable, but he begins the movie as a selfish, egotistical prince, but over time he matures into a mighty and mature king thanks to some old friends and the wise monkey Rafiki.
The humor will also make the young and young at heart giggle. One favorite is the advisor to Mufasa named Zazu, a blue hornbill with a proper butler persona. One can't help but feel a bit sorry for him thanks to the unbearable (but unintentional) torture young Simba puts him through.
Other hilarious additions include Shenzi; Banzai and Ed, the goofy hyena trio; and Timon and Pumbaa, a zany meerkat and warthog duo (the hula scene is a laugh-riot). Perhaps the funniest scene in the movie is where Rafiki turns into a kung-fu fighting mandrill, knocking out some of the hyenas toward the end of the film.
Voice acting is top notch. With well-established actors like James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons, viewers can't go wrong. Jonathan Taylor Thomas does a decent job bringing out the impatient childishness of young Simba while James Earl Jones gives a royal and wise flair to Mufasa. Each voice fits every character to a tee.
The score for the movie is perhaps one of the greatest of all time. From the sheer perfection of the opening song, titled The Circle of Life, to the closing music, it is all fantastically done, fitting with each theme. It changes pace and tone often, becoming soft and depressing when something sad happens, powerful and booming when something wonderful is going on, and light and bouncy when a character acts amusing.
Room For Improvement in Disney's The Lion King
Although this movie is well put together there are still some notable issues that could've been worked out to make the film even better.
The plot moves very slowly at times and is stretched quite thin thanks to the musical numbers and a lack of depth. It's just a simplistic plot about Simba realizing his destiny. Nothing complex or thought provoking.
Scar's character development could've been better as well. Give him a good reason to want to overthrow Mufasa and Simba and he'll be a fantastic character instead of one-dimensional.
He has a great personality (cold and calculating. Perfect for a villain), but the development fell flat because there is no other motive behind his desires to be king other than "he's jealous, evil and wants to rule the pridelands".
A few plot-holes also exist in the film. Some issues even had to be explained in some comic books later on instead of in the film, Scar and Mufasa's rivalry being just one example.
The biggest issue probably has to do with the gorge scene. Why did Simba think his father's death was his fault when it should've been painfully obvious even to him that Scar was the one who called him into the gorge in the first place?
Granted, he was only a kid when it happened, so he could've been easily manipulated, plus he might've thought that his loud roar caused the stampede, but it's quite hard to buy because even a child could've easily figured it out.
Final Verdict
Although it is lacking in plot, the excellent score, animation and believable characters more than make up for The Lion King's shortcomings. It is a beloved classic that will continue to gain more fans as time goes on.
- The Lion King
- Starring Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Jeremy Irons and James Earl Jones
- Written by Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts
- Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
- Running time: 89 min
Rating: 4/5
This Artistic Masterpiece is a Must-Watch
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