The Lion King

(out of 5)

Strictly using animals as the stars, Disney manages to produce one of the most touching, and heartfelt animated movies of all time. I couldn't help but smile and cry simultaneously, thinking how remarkable and intense this movie really was.

The soundtrack was a very important component in the movie. The music expressed the animals feelings, and the poignant issues of death and renewal--"the circle of life."

The movie is set in Africa, and the journey starts when the Lion King Mufasa greets his new born cub, Simba. Just on the verge of understanding life, Simba is left to cope on his own when Mufasa is murdered by his own brother, Scar. However, when Scar forces him to think it was his own fault, Simba runs away from his family, turning away from his heir of the throne. During his time away, Simba must teach himself what his father didn't, and that is not to grieve over what you lost, but to concentrate on what you have, and not to turn away from it. I especially was intrigued during the scene when Mufasa miraculously appears in the clouds and tells Simba to "Remember who you are."

Although I think Bambi was the stepping stone to The Lion King, I'd say that the staircase isn't finished. The Lion King is just another stepping stone to another one of Disney's soon-to-be classics, but don't count on it happening right away. There are very few movies like this one, and it will only make us harder on Disney the next time one of their animated features are released. Nevertheless, The Lion King provides laughs, tears, and cheers for the whole family to enjoy--for many years to come.


Rated: G

Walt Disney Productions

Cast/Credits (voices):

Rowan Atkinson .... Zazu
Matthew Broderick .... Adult Simba
Niketa Calame .... Young Nala
Jim Cummings .... Ed
Sally Dworsky .... Adult Nala
Whoopi Goldberg .... Shenzi
Robert Guillaume .... Rafiki
Jeremy Irons .... Scar
James Earl Jones .... Mufasa
Moira Kelly .... Adult Nala
Nathan Lane .... Timon
Zoe Leader .... Sarafina
Cheech Marin .... Banzai
Ernie Sabella .... Pumbaa
Madge Sinclair .... Sarabi
Jonathan Taylor Thomas .... Young Simba Jason Weaver .... Young Simba
Joseph Williams .... Adult Simba
Laura Williams .... Young Nala


Directed By:
Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Written By: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton

Produced By:
Alice Dewey, Don Hahn, Sarah McArthur and Thomas Schumacher


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