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You probably know the story, so I'll skip the synopsis. One thing that does bother me is that the editorial review says that this flick is too violent for the little kiddies. What? A simple explanation can put an end to any confusion or fears that your child might have, unless your one of those parents who use the DVD players as a babysitter. My two year old understands that bad things happen in the world. She might not understand that Mufasa dies in this flick, but she knows that Simba is sad and angry about it. Don't let the PC police get in the way of letting your children see a modern classic.

The DVD is loaded with extras. Commentary on just about everything, music videos, and even short explanations on the animals in the movie. The "Circle of Life" video featuring kids from the Disney Channel is okay, but an obvious promo for the Disney Channel. As usual, there are a ton of trailers for flicks coming soon to a theater or DVD rack near you. The Safari game is one of the better games I've seen on a DVD. Granted, the menus may seem confusing to some folks in the crowd, but if you take just a little time to learn how to use them(I picked up the general mechanics on one try), you'll find that there are a lot of extras worth looking into.

The voice talents in this movie are great. Matthew Broderick and Jonathan Taylor Thomas are perfect as Simba(young and old). James Earl Jones was born to play Mufasa, albeit for a brief time in this movie. Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and the gentleman who plays "Ed" are great as the sniveling sidekicks to "Scar." Ah yes, "Scar" is a perfect villain in "The Lion King." Jeremy Irons is downright vile as the jealous uncle. His performance is flawless. Of course, Nathan Lane stole the show as "Timone," and Rowan Atkinson, as "Zazu," had the driest of wits in this film. The voice talents of the rest of the cast were good as well.

Overall, a grand movie worth owning. Its a modern Disney flick in the classical vein, and that's rare today.


It's a great movie but the DVD package...   March 5, 2004
The Lion King is an excellent family film. Released in 1994 and until 2003's Finding Nemo it was the most successful animated film of all time! Great story-telling and unforgettible characters light up this Disney Classic.

Simba is the young cub who is someday to be King. But his jealous uncle will stop it nothing to be King before Simba. After Simba's father is killed in his early childhood Simba flees. Years later he must choose. His new life in paradise or go back and face his past.

Amazingly enough this story was incredible to most audiences! I saw this movie when I was much younger and it was incredible. At the time of it's release it was the most beautifully animated film ever.

The characters in the film are memorable. Timon and Pumbaa are perhaps two of Disney's most famous characters ever (as preceived in Lion King 1 1/2). Scar makes an incredible villian and yet somehow the film can still be enjoyed by audiences of all ages.

The songs are grand and were some of the most sang songs of my past. It was hard to find someone who didn't know the words to these songs.

But as I said, it's the DVD itself that gives me the gripes. For one, as some have mentioned, it isn't exactly easy to get to the movie right away. As with most Disney DVD's you've got to sit through preview after preview after preview. You can skip them at least but then you'll have to navigate the menu, which really isn't all that bothersome. The menu looks cool at least.

My other gripe is simply what TV tells us about all DVD's. "This DVD is PACKED with *insert number* of hours!" The Lion King doesn't have hours and hours of bonuses. You can get through them all in no time flat considering the first disk is pretty much the movie. The second doesn't have much to offer really.

Lastly, the new song included "Morning Report" isn't a very good one. It's too short for thing and isn't catchy like the rest of the soundtrack. The good news though, you can view the original movie. The new song isn't much.

So the movie is still a classic but the DVD itself doesn't offer much. A great movie but for the long long wait for the DVD it certainly seems like the VHS would've done much better justice to some.


The Lion King   March 2, 2004
THE FOLLOWING REFERS ONLY TO THE ACTUAL MOVIE: Wow. I had the same thoughts of this movie being Hamlet-esque. This movie is wildly wonderful, though it can't compare to BAMBI...my favorite of all time! There is a mix of action, humor, and sentimentality (but not too much of the traditional Disney sap :)
THE LION KING is thrilling and appealing, although it tends to go by quickly at the end. The hand-done classical animation is beautiful and has a quality live action or computer animation doesn't! Some scenes can be stressful for little kids, but it is still great! The hyenas are funny and the voice talent is amazing, with a fresh story line...something different from a dog running away and magically finding its way home, or like movies.
NOW...THE FOLLOWING REFERS TO THIS PARTICULAR DVD SET: Awful! Thrown-together to make sales and appeal to future customers...nothing but a gaint cheesy advertising thing. see the review below


great   March 1, 2004
Its a great dvd set and an even better movie, i loved it ever since it first came out and now, its still great. the only dissapointment is, i think, that the jungle safari always makes you die! but its minor. the music and voices were great.

hope this was helpful