The Lion King (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)
by Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
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DVD details
Actor: James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Matthew Broderick, Niketa Calame, Whoopi GoldbergDirector: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
Brand: Disney
Writer: Andy Gaskill
Writer: Barry Johnson
Writer: Bob Tzudiker
Writer: Brenda Chapman
Writer: Burny Mattinson
Writer: Chris Sanders
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Subtitled); French (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Animated, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.66:1
Running Time: 89 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-10-07
Audience Rating: G (General Audience)
Studio: Walt Disney Video
Product features:
- Platinum Edition
- 2-Disc Special Edition
- Featuring an All New Song!
- Academy Award Winning Music
- The Lion King [VHS]
- The Lion King: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
- Walt Disney Animated Anthology - The Classic Collector's Set
DVD Reviews of The Lion King (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)
DVD Review: The King of Disney
Summary: 5 Stars
The Lion King is the most complete and powerful movie I have ever seen. Never before have I come across a film with such a powerful plot, breathtaking visuals, unforgettable characters, and amazing music all jampacked into one DVD. I know, you film critics out there are probably reading this review thinking, "Wow, have you even started watching the Godfather?" And yes, I've actually watched the whole thing, but that certainly isn't a film that I can enjoy with my children.
Now I know most Americans are probably already familiar with the plot of The Lion King, but chances are that if you're searching this review board, you haven't seen the movie and you're interested as to what takes place over the course of the film. Let me just start by saying that I would give this movie a million stars if Amazon.com hadn't set the max at five. The being said, let's delve into what gives this movie its supreme quality.
I'm not some professional movie critic, but I think that any great movie should strike a balance between plot and action. For example, The Matrix and Gandhi are both really well-made films, but you'd be lucky not to have a heart attack by the end of The Matrix or fall asleep by the end of Gandhi. Lol! The Lion King, on the other hand, builds up the plot through each passing minute, while simultaneously hitting you with action when you least expect it.
The Lion King opens up on a land called Pride Rock with the birth of Simba, son of Mufasa, the king of the lions. Scar, Mufasa's brother, despises the birth of Simba. since Simba will be heir to the throne once Mufasa dies. Once Simba grows up to be around 8 or 9 (at least he acts that way =] ), Scar starts stirring up trouble, leading to a series of events that put Simba in grave danger. Mufasa dies in an attempt to save Simba (I literally cried during this scene), and Scar, being the terrible villain that he is, convinces Simba that the only reason Mufasa died is because Simba put him in that situation. This exchange between Scar and Simba brings about the famous words:
Simba: "What should I do?"
Scar: "Run, Simba. Run away, and never return."
And with that, Simba, who is technically the king at this point, runs out of his kingdom and into the wilderness. In the jungle, he meets Timon and Pumba, some of my favorite Disney characters ever. These two clowns teach Simba a worry-free lifestyle, and before long, Simba has grown up to be a young adult. Meanwhile, back in Pride Rock the evil hyenas have taken over, leaving the lions in a miserable, starving state. Nala, Simba's best buddy from childhood, leaves Pride Rock to search for help. Long story short, she finds Simba, they make love, Simba refuses to go back, Simba gets sense knocked into him by a wise monkey named Rafiki, and finally Simba returns to Pride Rock and challenges Scar.
The plot may seem simple, but this is the one of the few films that reaches the point that words can no longer describe what you're feeling, you know? Like I could keep telling you the basics, but you would never understand the emotional connection that I feel every time I pop this movie into the DVD player. No film I've ever watched has had such a strong influence on my view of life, because on its deepest level, the movie is essentially a spiritual journey for self-discovery. I know you probably think I'm crazy, but we'll get more into that later.
Some films can make you laugh, others can make you cry, The Lion King can do both. A couple weeks ago, my family and I sat down one night and decided to watch it from beginning to end. The "Circle of Life," by Elton John, blared out of my Dolby 5.1 surround-sound system. I was immediately alert and excited for the classic I was about to watch. Then came the scene in which Simba and Mufasa were playing around under the stars, and a wave of emotion flooded me as I remembered my dad; the connection the scene created was simply unbelievable. And then, of course, came the scene where Scar killed Mufasa. Probably one of the saddest moments ever to grace the silver screen, this scene didn't quite make me cry, but I was filled with a strange emptiness, as if the loss was my own. The level at which The Lion King made a connection with me was so great that I felt Simba's pain, even thought I kept telling myself that it was just a movie. However, all was well and good half an hour later when Timon and Pumba started doing the Hula Dance, which brought my family to tears, tears of laughter. This is one of the funniest moments in any Disney movie, and I've posted the link for those of you who are interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkWs3HVww4I. No film I can remember, not even the classics from the mid-1900s, triggered such a broad range of emotions from me and my family.
The animation and musical score of The Lion King were not only amazing during the 90s, but they remain a force even today. The music in particular touched me on a pretty personal level. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" always brings me back to a time shortly after I'd graduated from college, in which all my friends had girlfriends, and I felt more and more like Timon, alone and friendless. It's just amazing how this movie manages to evoke emotions linked to such specific parts of my life, which is more reason to appreciate the sheer power of this film.
The characters are also timeless. James Earl Jones does Mufasa's voiceover to perfection, giving him the authority of a true king. Scar is one of the most evil villains in Disney history, and I still get chills when Scar has Simba in the same position as he had Mufasa before he died. In this scene, Scar grabs Simba's paws and says, "And here's my little secret. I...killed...Mufasa." Unforgettable. Timon and Pumba essentially work to counteract the drama that Scar creates. They are just so lovable that they loosen the movie's dramatic mood and make you feel more relaxed. Overall, I'd say there's an excellent balance of drama and humor.
The Lion King achieves iconic status not only through its emotional power and production quality, but also because of its appeal to all age groups. I know it's a truly entertaining watch for you young folks out there, but it becomes much more interesting as you grow older and start to appreciate its symbolic value. The movie accurately depicts the journey of life: you start off innocent and insecure, you go through a phase when nothing matters, and by the time you're an adult, you find responsibility and wisdom. In terms of the actual film, Simba started as a young troublemaker, then he found Timon and Pumba and adopted the phrase "Hakuna Matata (no worries)," and finally Simba "grew" up, recognized his responsibility, and saved his kingdom. We each go through this every day, and while it is oftentimes a great struggle to make the responsible decision, we are bound by our responsibilities, and there is no escaping them. This is akin to when Simba tried to leave Pride Rock forever, only to go back many years later when he realized the consequences of his actions. In other words, The Lion King makes a big effort to teach kids that neglecting responsibility can be a terrible mistake. And let me tell you, this is by no means the only life lesson this movie puts out there.
The Lion King is overflowing with words of wisdom. While kids could use these lessons for obvious reasons, I can tell you from personal experience that I have watched The Lion King during times in which I've been depressed or sidetracked from my goals in life. The scene in which Rafiki makes Simba reflect on his life is particularly powerful. Every time I watch this therapeutic segment, I get a sense that someone is watching over me, which triggers me to reassess my goals in life. The movie is also very inspirational during rough times, giving me a sense that if I reach deep within myself, I can do things I've always dreamed of. Yeah, it's a pretty generic message, but the way it presents itself gives me chills almost constantly throughout the entire film.
Like all great movies, The Lion King comes full circle by the end of the movie. One of the core themes, the "circle of life," shows on the most basic level that animals, or in our case humans, die so that the next generation may live. The film immediately begins with the birth of Simba, and you are taken with Simba on his life journey that results in the birth of his own child. The beginning and ending scenes are almost identical, which really serves as a tribute to Disney's masterful production quality. Throughout Simba's spiritual journey of self-discovery, I could often relate to the obstacles facing Simba on his bumpy path. For example, I had a really powerful connection with my dad, and when Mufasa died, I really felt a pang of sadness. At the same time, I fully understood why Simba coped with his loss the way he did, and when the moment of self-recognition finally came years later, Simba was ready for it. I know some of you are probably frowning at this point, thinking, "Ok, Disney clearly did not intend for the movie to be this deep. Stop hyper-analyzing the children's movie!" But that is exactly what makes this film so moving, because Disney did intend to stir up your emotions, even on a spiritual level!
I'm having trouble putting this into words, but I want you all to understand that his movie contains principles which you should base your life on. This isn't just some kids movie; it will take each and every one of you on a spiritual journey, and by the movie's end, if you've really paid attention and taken it all in, you will walk away with a new and inspired view of life. I really can't tell you how much this movie helped me during difficult times throughout my life, and I remain infinitely thankful, as this movie has often turned my life around. I know, you'd think I'd be talking about God or something, but no, I really do mean every word of this review. The Lion King has the power to change your life. Yes, it has the terrific animations, music, and characters, and all of those would be great reasons for a movie critic to give it five stars. But I'm no movie critic. I'm a loving parent who has come a long way from when I was as a kid, and every time I watch Simba grow up, I can't help but feel that I'm watching a shortened version of my life. If you haven't seen The Lion King yet, do yourself a favor and watch it at some point in the next week. Some of you may walk away thinking it's just another movie, but hey, you never know; some of you may very well walk away with a new understanding of your place in the circle of life.
Description of The Lion King (Two-Disc Platinum Edition)
Disney's THE LION KING SPECIAL EDITION features an all-new song, "Morning Report," and never-before-seen animation, giving you even more of this award-winning masterpiece -- the greatest animated adventure of all time. An unforgettable story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters, and Academy Award(R)-winning music (Best Original Score, 1994; Best Song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight") set the stage for the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who "just can't wait to be king." But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba's exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of "Hakuna Matata," Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the "Circle of Life." Now extensively restored and remastered -- experience THE LION KING like never before, from its magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African vistas to its emotional climax. The all-star vocal talents -- including Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella -- rip-roaring comedy, and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty, and hope make this timeless tale entertainment for all ages.Not an ideal choice for younger kids, this hip and violent animated feature from Disney was nevertheless a huge smash in theaters and on video, and it continues to enjoy life in an acclaimed Broadway production. The story finds a lion cub, son of a king, sent into exile after his father is sabotaged by a rivalrous uncle. The little hero finds his way into the "circle of life" with some new friends and eventually comes back to reclaim his proper place. Characters are very strong, vocal performances by the likes of Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Whoopi Goldberg are terrific, the jokes are aimed as much (if not more) at adults than kids, the animation is sometimes breathtaking, and the music is more palatable than in many Disney features. But be cautious: this is too intense for the Rugrat crowd. --Tom Keogh
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