The Lion King (1994)
8.253 /10
19900 Reviews
Rate This Movie:
Young lion prince Simba, eager to one day become king of the Pride Lands, grows up under the watchful eye of his father Mufasa; all the while his villainous uncle Scar conspires to take the throne for himself. Amid betrayal and tragedy, Simba must confront his past and find his rightful place in the Circle of Life.
Videos & Photos
cast
... Simba (voice)
... Nala (voice)
... Scar (voice)
... Timon (voice)
... Pumbaa (voice)
User reviews
If you enjoy reading my reviews, please follow my blog :)
First of all, this is (obviously) a SPOILER review. I mean, who hasn’t seen this movie yet? If by some extraordinary circumstances you’re one of those unlucky souls, stop. Spend the next hour and a half watching this animated masterpiece and come back here. I will still avoid mentioning key details because I’m just used to it, and The Lion King has so many things to compliment that I don’t really need to get in-depth on spoilers. So, in case you haven’t notice it through my Twitter or occasional mentions in other reviews, The Lion King is one of my favorite films of all-time (animated or not)!
I rewatched it for the 312358th time this last weekend, and I cried more than when I was just a child. That’s how much this movie means to me. The sense of nostalgia plus the overwhelming emotions throughout the runtime are tear-inducing aspects that I can’t simply avoid. I literally cried (waterfalls) in four (!) different scenes. The opening sequence (Circle of Life) filled my eyes with nostalgia’s tears. Mufasa’s tragic moment obviously wrecked me (one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in the history of cinema). Simba receiving the whole “remember who you are” speech from Mufasa in the clouds is incredibly inspirational and therefore worthy of some sobbing. Finally, one of the last scenes, Simba climbing his way to the top of Pride Rock with Hans Zimmer‘s score, leaving me absolutely destroyed.
And I want to pick up on that last aspect: the score. It’s one of the most crucial technical features of a film, in my opinion. It can transform an “okay” scene into something magical or something pretty terrible, depending on what kind of score it is. Consequently, it can make a “good” movie turn into a “great” one. Hans Zimmer is one of my favorite composers ever. His soundtracks are always filled with such an epic vibe. Even if the film itself isn’t that good, his scores are still able to elevate it in some way. The Lion King is one of his most memorable scores due to how emotionally compelling it is, even in the subtlest moments.
During the stampede sequence, the score doesn’t lend you time to breathe. Its high rhythm and continuously growing music keep any viewer at the edge of the seat, waiting for it to be over. Then, when Simba descends and approaches his dad, the score is so subtle. Completely opposite to the previous sumptuous and grand sound. It’s that nuance plus the impact of the scene itself that make me cry. In the last scene that I mentioned above, it’s solely the score that brings in the chill-inducing tears. If Simba climbed Pride Rock with no soundtrack, it would just be a good ending. However, from the exact moment that the score fades in, it instantly turns that sequence into an epic finale. The slow-motion walk to the top, the immersive score, Simba’s roar … Damn it, I’m crying again!
The animation is some of Disney’s best. It’s not by chance that the Disney Renaissance Era (1989-1999), which was the return to form by Disney, has the best animation quality of its history, and a lot of the memorable movies that marked everyone’s childhood. Its expressiveness and ease to make animals emote elevates the story and its characters. There’s no need for any kind of dialogue when you can see how the characters are reacting and understand what they’re feeling. The wide shots are beautiful to look at and worthy of being anyone’s wallpaper even today.
The songs are remarkable and they influenced an entire generation. Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Circle of Life, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata, … Every single song is someone’s favorite. The voice work is perfect. James Earl Jones gives such an outstanding vocal performance that even when discussing his career’s biggest role, Darth Vader isn’t the obvious choice. Jeremy Irons and his raspy voice elevate Scar as the villainous character. If you close your eyes and only hear every character’s voice, without having watched the film previously, you can easily identify who’s the “bad guy”, and that’s unbelievably good. Everyone else is amazing, but these two gentlemen are astonishing, and they deserve to be remembered forever as the voices of these iconic roles.
Nevertheless, in the end, the two pillars of every movie always matter the most: story and characters. The Lion King has an especially compelling screenplay, one that teaches its viewers how to handle loss, but also how to grow up and overcome our worst fears. It’s true that most people cry watching this film, but those same people are filled with joy by the end because they accompanied Simba’s journey. From being a reckless and innocent cub to becoming the king that everyone needed, while also making his father extremely proud. Even though it’s a very tragic movie, Timon and Pumbaa are two hilarious characters that keep bringing some sense of happiness by delivering some well-needed laughs. Their laid-back lifestyle is something that everyone desires, but when you have responsibilities, you can’t just hide from them. You must learn how to be what everyone needs you to be, without losing the essence of who you are.
It’s a masterpiece! It doesn’t matter if it’s an animated film. It doesn’t matter if it was “made for kids”. People need to stop looking at animated flicks as something juvenile that only children can watch while parents can do something else. If parents watched this kind of inspirational animated movies as well, maybe the world would be a better place. The Lion King is one of my favorite films of all-time, and it’s undeniably one of Disney’s best original movies. From the gorgeous animation to the beautiful score, from the emotionally compelling story to the life journey Simba goes through, from the chill-inducing tearful moments to the loud laughs … The Lion King is just perfect. Hopefully, its “live-action” remake will keep its essence and deliver these feelings once again.
Rating: A+
Writer:
Linda Woolverton (Screenplay)
Jonathan Roberts (Screenplay)
Irene Mecchi (Screenplay)
Rick Maki (Story)
Burny Mattinson (Story)
Barry Johnson (Story)
Lorna Cook (Story)
Thom Enriquez (Story)
Andrew Gaskill (Story)
Gary Trousdale (Story)
Jim Capobianco (Story)
Kevin Harkey (Story)
Jørgen Klubien (Story)
Chris Sanders (Story)
Tom Sito (Story)
Larry Leker (Story)
Joe Ranft (Story)
Ed Gombert (Story)
Francis Glebas (Story)
Mark Kausler (Story)
Brenda Chapman (Story Supervisor)
Release Date:
1994-06-15
Run Time:
89 min
MMPA Rating:
G
Reviews of
The Lion King
If you enjoy reading my reviews, please follow my blog :)
First of all, this is (obviously) a SPOILER review. I mean, who hasn’t seen this movie yet? If by some extraordinary circumstances you’re one of those unlucky souls, stop. Spend the next hour and a half watching this animated masterpiece and come back here. I will still avoid mentioning key details because I’m just used to it, and The Lion King has so many things to compliment that I don’t really need to get in-depth on spoilers. So, in case you haven’t notice it through my Twitter or occasional mentions in other reviews, The Lion King is one of my favorite films of all-time (animated or not)!
I rewatched it for the 312358th time this last weekend, and I cried more than when I was just a child. That’s how much this movie means to me. The sense of nostalgia plus the overwhelming emotions throughout the runtime are tear-inducing aspects that I can’t simply avoid. I literally cried (waterfalls) in four (!) different scenes. The opening sequence (Circle of Life) filled my eyes with nostalgia’s tears. Mufasa’s tragic moment obviously wrecked me (one of the most emotionally powerful scenes in the history of cinema). Simba receiving the whole “remember who you are” speech from Mufasa in the clouds is incredibly inspirational and therefore worthy of some sobbing. Finally, one of the last scenes, Simba climbing his way to the top of Pride Rock with Hans Zimmer‘s score, leaving me absolutely destroyed.
And I want to pick up on that last aspect: the score. It’s one of the most crucial technical features of a film, in my opinion. It can transform an “okay” scene into something magical or something pretty terrible, depending on what kind of score it is. Consequently, it can make a “good” movie turn into a “great” one. Hans Zimmer is one of my favorite composers ever. His soundtracks are always filled with such an epic vibe. Even if the film itself isn’t that good, his scores are still able to elevate it in some way. The Lion King is one of his most memorable scores due to how emotionally compelling it is, even in the subtlest moments.
During the stampede sequence, the score doesn’t lend you time to breathe. Its high rhythm and continuously growing music keep any viewer at the edge of the seat, waiting for it to be over. Then, when Simba descends and approaches his dad, the score is so subtle. Completely opposite to the previous sumptuous and grand sound. It’s that nuance plus the impact of the scene itself that make me cry. In the last scene that I mentioned above, it’s solely the score that brings in the chill-inducing tears. If Simba climbed Pride Rock with no soundtrack, it would just be a good ending. However, from the exact moment that the score fades in, it instantly turns that sequence into an epic finale. The slow-motion walk to the top, the immersive score, Simba’s roar … Damn it, I’m crying again!
The animation is some of Disney’s best. It’s not by chance that the Disney Renaissance Era (1989-1999), which was the return to form by Disney, has the best animation quality of its history, and a lot of the memorable movies that marked everyone’s childhood. Its expressiveness and ease to make animals emote elevates the story and its characters. There’s no need for any kind of dialogue when you can see how the characters are reacting and understand what they’re feeling. The wide shots are beautiful to look at and worthy of being anyone’s wallpaper even today.
The songs are remarkable and they influenced an entire generation. Can You Feel the Love Tonight, Circle of Life, Be Prepared, Hakuna Matata, … Every single song is someone’s favorite. The voice work is perfect. James Earl Jones gives such an outstanding vocal performance that even when discussing his career’s biggest role, Darth Vader isn’t the obvious choice. Jeremy Irons and his raspy voice elevate Scar as the villainous character. If you close your eyes and only hear every character’s voice, without having watched the film previously, you can easily identify who’s the “bad guy”, and that’s unbelievably good. Everyone else is amazing, but these two gentlemen are astonishing, and they deserve to be remembered forever as the voices of these iconic roles.
Nevertheless, in the end, the two pillars of every movie always matter the most: story and characters. The Lion King has an especially compelling screenplay, one that teaches its viewers how to handle loss, but also how to grow up and overcome our worst fears. It’s true that most people cry watching this film, but those same people are filled with joy by the end because they accompanied Simba’s journey. From being a reckless and innocent cub to becoming the king that everyone needed, while also making his father extremely proud. Even though it’s a very tragic movie, Timon and Pumbaa are two hilarious characters that keep bringing some sense of happiness by delivering some well-needed laughs. Their laid-back lifestyle is something that everyone desires, but when you have responsibilities, you can’t just hide from them. You must learn how to be what everyone needs you to be, without losing the essence of who you are.
It’s a masterpiece! It doesn’t matter if it’s an animated film. It doesn’t matter if it was “made for kids”. People need to stop looking at animated flicks as something juvenile that only children can watch while parents can do something else. If parents watched this kind of inspirational animated movies as well, maybe the world would be a better place. The Lion King is one of my favorite films of all-time, and it’s undeniably one of Disney’s best original movies. From the gorgeous animation to the beautiful score, from the emotionally compelling story to the life journey Simba goes through, from the chill-inducing tearful moments to the loud laughs … The Lion King is just perfect. Hopefully, its “live-action” remake will keep its essence and deliver these feelings once again.
Rating: A+
Certainly not one of Disney's better animations from a technical perspective - the artwork lacks the vibrancy and detail of many of their earlier stories; but the combined efforts of Sir Tim Rice, Elton John and Hans Zimmer make this an enjoyable fantasy adventure. It is told in two parts - the first sees a son "Simba" born to the king "Mufasa"; a curious little fella who, alongside his friend "Nala" is inquisitive and mischievous - a real pain in the neck to the king's major-domo "Zazu". One fan the new cub really doesn't have, however, is the king's rather unimpressed brother "Scar" who hatches a plan to depose his brother and take over the kingdom. He manages to achieve exactly this and to get the youngster to blame himself and head off, alone, into exile. The second part is much more fun; he falls in with a warthog and is soon eating colourful grubs and living a peaceful, jolly life far from home. That idyllic existence is not to last long, however - "Nala" discovers he is still alive and races to alert him of the disaster that has befallen the kingdom under the rule of his uncle and his trusty band of hyenas. The musical numbers help it build to a gripping denouement, with clever, quite witty dialogue from some good - though not great - voice talents from the likes of James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, Matthew Broderick and Whoopi Goldberg to keep the pot boiling. It is an enjoyable film to watch but I wasn't captivated by it.
Cast & Crew of
The Lion King
Cast
... Simba (voice)
... Nala (voice)
... Scar (voice)
... Timon (voice)
... Pumbaa (voice)
... Mufasa (voice)
... Rafiki (voice)
... Zazu (voice)
... Ed (voice)
... Shenzi (voice)
... Banzai (voice)
... Young Simba (voice)
... Young Nala (voice)
... Sarabi (voice)
... Sarafina (voice)
... Lions Roars (voice) (uncredited)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Additional Voices (voice)
... Fighting Hyena (voice) (uncredited)
... Laughing Hyena (voice) (uncredited)
... Laughing Hyena (voice) (uncredited)
... Young Simba (singing voice) (uncredited)
Crew
... Director
... Director
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Screenplay
... Original Music Composer
... Editor
... Animation
... Animation Supervisor
... Production Manager
... Animation Supervisor
... Animation Supervisor
... Animation
... Animation
... Layout
... Layout
... Production Office Assistant
... Story
... Animation
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Production Design
... Art Direction
... Casting
... Supervising Music Editor
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Supervising Sound Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Supervising Film Editor
... Supervising Film Editor
... Songs
... Songs
... Thanks
... Thanks
... In Memory Of
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Story
... Associate Producer
... Producer
... Executive Producer
... Executive Producer
... Camera Operator
... Camera Operator
... Camera Operator
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Sculptor
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Animation
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Assistant Production Manager
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Background Designer
... Character Designer
... Color Timer
... Compositors
... CG Animator
... CG Animator
... Editorial Staff
... Editorial Staff
... First Assistant Editor
... Foley Editor
... Negative Cutter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Production Accountant
... Production Coordinator
... Production Coordinator
... Production Manager
... Sound Effects Editor
... Sound Effects Editor
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Supervising Animator
... Visual Development
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Painter
... Title Designer
... Title Designer
... Compositors
... Post-Production Manager
... Projection
... Special Sound Effects
... Assistant Editor
... Assistant Editor
... Negative Cutter
... ADR Voice Casting
... Production Accountant
... Production Manager
... ADR Editor
... Assistant Sound Editor
... Dialogue Editor
... Foley
... Foley
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Character Designer
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Visual Development
... Animation
... Sound Re-Recording Mixer
... Post Production Coordinator
... Modeling
... Storyboard Artist
... Production Assistant
... Executive Producer
... Story Supervisor
... Supervising Animator
Videos & Photos of
The Lion King
Videos (5)
Teaser Trailer #1
1: 31
2002 IMAX Trailer
1: 31
Original Trailer
1: 31
Official Blu-ray Trailer
1: 31
Photos 86
Similar Movies To
The Lion King
La magia de los Parchís (1982)
5.167/10
A magician with an orphaned granddaughter lives in a theater where a group of Spanish child singers come to perform. The presence of "Los Parchís" helps the great magician Gundin regain his confidence in his performances and provide a better life for his granddaughter.
Release: 1982-08-20
The Bug Killer (1971)
5/10
A teenager fails to find (and keep) jobs which makes his father doubt the reason might be the boy's lack of sexual experience. As all his efforts prove to be unsuccessful, the father gives up, but not the boy's aunt.
Release: 1971-07-19
Wasted Talent (2021)
8/10
Four high school teens are thrown into detention after a fight come together of their love for music and songwriting. However, their newfound bond is brought to a halt by the harsh reality of the world they come from.
Release: 2021-10-01
American Beauty (1999)
7.999/10
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.
Release: 1999-09-15
Portion (2024)
0/10
A journey of self-awareness, addressing premature judgments and redemption.
Release: 2024-07-15
Apocalypse Now (1979)
8.265/10
At the height of the Vietnam war, Captain Benjamin Willard is sent on a dangerous mission that, officially, "does not exist, nor will it ever exist." His goal is to locate - and eliminate - a mysterious Green Beret Colonel named Walter Kurtz, who has been leading his personal army on illegal guerrilla missions into enemy territory.
Release: 1979-05-19
The Simpsons Movie (2007)
7.023/10
After Homer accidentally pollutes the town's water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.
Release: 2007-07-25
Walk the Line (2005)
7.501/10
A chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis, where he recorded alongside Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins.
Release: 2005-09-13
Billy Elliot (2000)
7.595/10
County Durham, England, 1984. The miners' strike has started and the police have started coming up from Bethnal Green, starting a class war with the lower classes suffering. Caught in the middle of the conflict is 11-year old Billy Elliot, who, after leaving his boxing club for the day, stumbles upon a ballet class and finds out that he's naturally talented. He practices with his teacher Mrs. Wilkinson for an upcoming audition in Newcastle-upon Tyne for the royal Ballet school in London.
Release: 2000-09-28
Blue (2011)
5.2/10
A college girl comes to terms with her father's cancer when he comes to help paint her room the color she's always wanted: blue.
Release: 2011-09-16
Ocaso (2014)
5/10
Jonas, a 14-year-old teenager, takes a walk by the river that runs by his house. His friend Marina shadows him. They meet, spend the afternoon together, and as the daylight fades, so does their innocence.
Release: 2014-07-01
Life Is Strange (2024)
0/10
"I can't go back and change the beginning but I can start over and change the end."
Release: 2024-10-10
Unspoken (1997)
10/10
A triptych of youth-oriented stories set in a small New Brunswick town. Follow Jeff and Kristine into the woods for a night of forbidden passion that ends in tragedy...Meet Jennifer, a tough-talking teen who winds up in a compromising situation when she shoplifts in a record store...Celebrate football hero Brian Mair's farewell at a feverish all-night house party where everyone is out to score and nothing is what it seems.
Release: 1997-09-27
Accidental Family (2017)
5.7/10
Loïc Le Tallec never really took care of his son. When the latter disappears in a road accident, Loïc is devastated. He has only one idea in mind: to find the one who lives now with the heart of his son. He falls on Hugo, a young man that this brand new heart makes totally unreasonable and uncontrollable. Their meeting promises to be explosive.
Release: 2017-04-12
Princess Mononoke (1997)
8.321/10
Ashitaka, a prince of the disappearing Emishi people, is cursed by a demonized boar god and must journey to the west to find a cure. Along the way, he encounters San, a young human woman fighting to protect the forest, and Lady Eboshi, who is trying to destroy it. Ashitaka must find a way to bring balance to this conflict.
Release: 1997-07-12
Freaks (1932)
7.764/10
A circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.
Release: 1932-01-01
Bad Education (2004)
7.4/10
When an old friend brings filmmaker Enrique Goded a semi-autobiographical script chronicling their adolescence, Enrique is forced to relive his youth spent at a Catholic boarding school. Weaving through past and present, the script follows a transvestite performer who reconnects with a grade school sweetheart. Spurred on by this chance encounter, the character reflects on her childhood sexual victimization and the trauma of closeting her sexual orientation.
Release: 2004-03-19
Hero (2002)
7.505/10
During China's Warring States period, a district prefect arrives at the palace of Qin Shi Huang, claiming to have killed the three assassins who had made an attempt on the king's life three years ago.
Release: 2002-12-19
Dirty Dancing (1987)
7.324/10
Expecting the usual tedium that accompanies a summer in the Catskills with her family, 17-year-old Frances 'Baby' Houseman is surprised to find herself stepping into the shoes of a professional hoofer—and unexpectedly falling in love.
Release: 1987-08-21