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Disney Studios had a major triumph in 1994 with an instant classic called The Lion King a visually arresting animated feature with an almost Shakespearean sensibility that tells a layered and interesting story in a way that appeals to audiences of all ages.
This is the story of Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) a lion cub being groomed to take over the kingdom of Pride Rock by his father, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), but finds his life derailed by his Uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), who wants the kingdom for himself.
The screenplay by Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts provides believable human emotions and agendas to animated animal characters that are believable but not beyond the scope of understanding for the intended demographic. We love the rough play between Simba and childhood gal pal Nala where they are unsure of how to express their feelings about each other. We even understand Uncle Scar, who may feel he's being cheated and probably has been living under Mufasa's shadow all his life and is tired of it. Yet, he is clearly the villain of the piece and we want to see him get what he deserves.
The voice work is perfection with standout work from Jeremy Irons as Scar, who easily walks away with this and any actor who can steal a film from The Voice, James Earl Jones, deserves credit for such. There are a handful of fun songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, one of them, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won an Oscar. A delightful cinematic journey with something for the young and the young at heart.
This is the story of Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Matthew Broderick) a lion cub being groomed to take over the kingdom of Pride Rock by his father, King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), but finds his life derailed by his Uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), who wants the kingdom for himself.
The screenplay by Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts provides believable human emotions and agendas to animated animal characters that are believable but not beyond the scope of understanding for the intended demographic. We love the rough play between Simba and childhood gal pal Nala where they are unsure of how to express their feelings about each other. We even understand Uncle Scar, who may feel he's being cheated and probably has been living under Mufasa's shadow all his life and is tired of it. Yet, he is clearly the villain of the piece and we want to see him get what he deserves.
The voice work is perfection with standout work from Jeremy Irons as Scar, who easily walks away with this and any actor who can steal a film from The Voice, James Earl Jones, deserves credit for such. There are a handful of fun songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, one of them, "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" won an Oscar. A delightful cinematic journey with something for the young and the young at heart.