17, a number that has many meanings whether its the age where a child is almost considered an adult and ready to get a license or it represents the uniform number of a member of your local sports team. But for disney enthusiasts and great film buffs a like, today 17 means the total number of years since Lion King was first released in theaters to its release on Blu-ray today. Since it's release in theaters, a new generation has been born and now has the opportunity to experience this uplifting story presented by Disney.
The story begins with the iconic opening, a sun rising over the safari accopmanied by the song, "The Circle of Life". We are introduced to Mufasa the Lion, voiced by James Earl Jones, Simba, Mufasa's son and voiced by Johnathon Taylor Thomas (later by Matthew Brodrick), the king and prince of Pride Rock. We then see some of the other supporting characters such as Zazu, a hornbill voiced by Rowan Atkinson, Nala, voiced by Niketa Calame (later by Moira Kelly), and Scar, the brother of Mufasa and voiced by Jeremy Irons. Other principal voices include Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi the hyena, Robert Guillaume as Rafiki the Baboon, Nathan Lane as Timon the meerkat, and Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa the warthog.
As a young prince, Simba is destined to become king after Mufasa moves on in the 'great circle of life'. The title of king is also desired by Scar, who tricks Simba into going into the elephant graveyard in an attempt to remove the young heir. After the attempt fails, Scar makes an alliance with the hyenas and has them cause a stampede in an attempt to remove Simba from the line again. Unfortunately for Scar, Simba lives but he is able to kill Mufasa, who had rushed to the area of the stampede to save Simba. Simba, racked by guilt, leaves the Pride Lands, giving Scar and the hyenas the opportunity to take over. Out in the wild, Simba is found by Timon and Pumbaa and lives in the oasis they call their home. Simba grows up in the carefree lifestyles of 'hakuna matata', a philosophy that Timon and Pumbaa have meaning 'no worries'. Simba would have spent the rest of his life living in that oasis, but destiny had other plans for him as Rafiki and Nala find Simba and convince him to go back to the Pride Lands and take back his place as king. The Pride Lands, now almost a wasteland due to the hyenas and Scar's rule, becomes the final battlegrounds for Scar and Simba as they fight for the place as king of the Pride Lands.
The popularity and awe of the Lion King is not lost since its release in theaters, having come back to theaters twice since its original release and continuing to dazzle audiences nationwide, most recently in a digital 3d release. For the most part, I do not approve the continued use of 3d unless the movie has been designed to a point where the experience of watching it in 3d would enhance its viewing. Lion King is one of the few films that deserved the transition to digital 3d, with the scene that most exemplifies the use of it being the stampede. In addition to its 3d transition, we also cannot forget that the Lion King has also inspired two sequels as well as a legendary broadway show.
SHOULD I GET THE BLU-RAY?
The Lion King is a film that should be in any film collection, capturing the magic of Disney in the story. Today, October 4th, has Lion King being released on several different versions of Blu-Ray. The traditional Blu-Ray/DVD format has a blu-ray disc and a dvd disc. However, there is also a 3d release available which include a 3d version of film in addition to the blu-ray and dvd disc. A bonus set of the Lion King franchise is also available which includes all three Lion King movies. Regardless of which version of the release you get, the blu-ray features a wonderful treasure trove of extras for movie-goers to enjoy. You will be able to enjoy an extended song version for the re-release of Lion King called 'Morning Report', sung by Zazu as he gives his report to Mufasa. Also included are four deleted scenes and a bloopers reel, a sing along mode, and a look back into the making of the Lion King and how its popularity has held over the years.
Personal Rating of Film: 8/10
You speak of the film in such laudatory terms, yet it only ranks an 8? I wonder what gets a 9 or even a 10.
ReplyDeletere: The Lion King itself, I never quite understood the obsession. It's a very good movie, don't get me wrong, but even in terms of the annual, hand-animated Disney musicals that were all the rage for decades, it's not as though it was extraordinary. Very good, but not among their best. Clearly most people disagree with me.