While
I feel that Disney’s modern animated films reached their artistic zenith
with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING ($30) represents
the studio reaching another apex, in terms of sheer entertainment value
and commercial success. THE LION KING is another crowning
achievement for Disney, a movie that is a wondrous joy to behold- full of
drama, action, comedy and thrills. Featuring an original story, instead of
an adaptation of a classic fairy tale or legend, THE LION KING
proves to be a life-affirming movie, whose central theme is best expressed
in the Elton John/Tim Rice song Circle of Life. The plot of THE
LION KING follows a lion cub named Simba, sired by the regal Mufasa,
who truly is the king of the jungle.
While
Simba is destined to inherit his father’s kingdom, Mufasa’s envious
brother Scar has his own plans for the throne. When tragedy strikes, Simba
is driven off by Scar’s hyena henchmen and grows up in the carefree
company of a meerkat named Timon and warthog named Pumbaa. However, Simba
eventually learns that there is no escaping one’s destiny and even he
must take his place in the circle of life. THE LION KING features
the delightful vocal talent of Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas,
James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly, Ernie Sabella, Nathan Lane,
Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Madge Sinclair, Whoopi Goldberg and
Cheech Marin.
Walt
Disney Home Entertainment has made THE LION KING available on DVD
in a superb looking 1.66:1 wide screen presentation that features the
anamorphic enhancement for 16:9 displays. Offering both the original
theatrical cut and the Special Edition version of THE LION KING on
the same disc, the presentations are virtually identical except for the
addition of a new song that was added to the film for its IMAX showings
last year. The image on the DVD is absolutely stellar; delivering one of
the most richly defined 2D animated films to ever make its way to video.
Colors are absolutely spectacular, full of lush hues representing the
jungles of Africa and the noble beasts that inhabit them. The palette that
the animators used for this film is incredibly vibrant and the DVD is able
to recreate every last nuance without noise or smearing. Blacks are
perfectly inky and the whites are beautifully crisp. Digital compression
artifacts are never a concern on this cleanly authored DVD.
THE
LION KING features a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack,
the original theatrical mix, as well as a new mix designed for the home
theater environment. The latter mix proves to be the more enjoyable of the
two, since it was specifically created for the home theater environment.
This is an aggressive and enveloping mix that takes full advantage of the
multi-channel nature of the digital format. Sounds tend to wash over the
viewer from all sides, with effects that pull one into the center of the
action, as well as drawing them into the musical numbers and even in to
Hans Zimmer’s musical score. The surround channels are beautifully
implemented in the mix, while the forward soundstage has a terrific sweep.
Dialogue reproduction is excellent, with every voice coming across with
crystal clarity and beautiful musicality for the film’s songs. The bass
channel is full, authoritative and when required, completely ground
shaking. A French 5.1 channel tracks are also provided, as are English
subtitles.
Animation
and sound serves to enhance the interactive menus, which allow one access
to the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as the
supplements that have been spread across both discs of this set. Disc one
includes a running audio commentary for the theatrical versions of the
film that features producer Don Hahn and directors Rob Minkoff and Roger
Allers. Also included on disc one is The Making of The Morning
Report, which offers a brief look at a song from the Broadway show
that was added to the Special Edition version of the movie. The Disney
Channel Circle of Stars are on hand for a new music video version of Circle
Of Life, with making of featurette. Three deleted scenes are
represented on the disc by concept drawings and rough animation. Disc one
also includes a sing-along track, with subtitled lyrics popping up during
the songs.
On
disc two one will find a nice array of supplements geared towards the
various age groups. In the Story section, one will find Story
Origins, Timeless Themes and The Story Comes
to Life are three brief programs that examine the film’s screen
story. The Film section contains Origins, Production
Research Trip, Art: African Influence, Reflections
and Storyboard Process, five programs which examine how the
concepts for the film’s eventual look came together. In The Stage
section, Musical Origins, Screen to Stage, Musical
Texture, Setting the Stage and Leaps of
Fantasy are five programs that look at the movie’s transition to
a different medium. A Stage Musical Publicity Gallery is
also included in the Stage section. The Virtual Safari
offers an interactive jungle tour with Timon and Pumbaa serving as guides.
The Music section includes seven programs Music
Inspirations, Landmark Songwriting, Orchestral
Color, Scoring Emotion, Music: African
Influence, Audio Sequel and Full Circle.
Introduction, Lions, Meerkats, Warthogs,
Hyenas and Disney & Animals are the six
programs that make up the Animal section. Disc two also features
additional programming in the continent sections, including music videos
with Elton John performing Can You Feel the Love Tonight and
Circle Of Life, as well as trailers, the Imax version and
other erata.
THE
LION KING was an animated motion picture triumph for Disney and is now
a triumph of a DVD. Without question, THE LION KING looks and
sounds incredible on disc. That, along with a nice supplemental package,
makes this a must own DVD for the entire family. Absolutely recommended.
While
I feel that Disney’s modern animated films reached their artistic zenith
with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, THE LION KING ($30) represents
the studio reaching another apex, in terms of sheer entertainment value
and commercial success. THE LION KING is another crowning
achievement for Disney, a movie that is a wondrous joy to behold- full of
drama, action, comedy and thrills. Featuring an original story, instead of
an adaptation of a classic fairy tale or legend, THE LION KING
proves to be a life-affirming movie, whose central theme is best expressed
in the Elton John/Tim Rice song Circle of Life. The plot of THE
LION KING follows a lion cub named Simba, sired by the regal Mufasa,
who truly is the king of the jungle.
While
Simba is destined to inherit his father’s kingdom, Mufasa’s envious
brother Scar has his own plans for the throne. When tragedy strikes, Simba
is driven off by Scar’s hyena henchmen and grows up in the carefree
company of a meerkat named Timon and warthog named Pumbaa. However, Simba
eventually learns that there is no escaping one’s destiny and even he
must take his place in the circle of life. THE LION KING features
the delightful vocal talent of Matthew Broderick, Jonathan Taylor Thomas,
James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Moira Kelly, Ernie Sabella, Nathan Lane,
Robert Guillaume, Rowan Atkinson, Madge Sinclair, Whoopi Goldberg and
Cheech Marin.
Walt
Disney Home Entertainment has made THE LION KING available on DVD
in a superb looking 1.66:1 wide screen presentation that features the
anamorphic enhancement for 16:9 displays. Offering both the original
theatrical cut and the Special Edition version of THE LION KING on
the same disc, the presentations are virtually identical except for the
addition of a new song that was added to the film for its IMAX showings
last year. The image on the DVD is absolutely stellar; delivering one of
the most richly defined 2D animated films to ever make its way to video.
Colors are absolutely spectacular, full of lush hues representing the
jungles of Africa and the noble beasts that inhabit them. The palette that
the animators used for this film is incredibly vibrant and the DVD is able
to recreate every last nuance without noise or smearing. Blacks are
perfectly inky and the whites are beautifully crisp. Digital compression
artifacts are never a concern on this cleanly authored DVD.
THE
LION KING features a choice of Dolby Digital 5.1 channel soundtrack,
the original theatrical mix, as well as a new mix designed for the home
theater environment. The latter mix proves to be the more enjoyable of the
two, since it was specifically created for the home theater environment.
This is an aggressive and enveloping mix that takes full advantage of the
multi-channel nature of the digital format. Sounds tend to wash over the
viewer from all sides, with effects that pull one into the center of the
action, as well as drawing them into the musical numbers and even in to
Hans Zimmer’s musical score. The surround channels are beautifully
implemented in the mix, while the forward soundstage has a terrific sweep.
Dialogue reproduction is excellent, with every voice coming across with
crystal clarity and beautiful musicality for the film’s songs. The bass
channel is full, authoritative and when required, completely ground
shaking. A French 5.1 channel tracks are also provided, as are English
subtitles.
Animation
and sound serves to enhance the interactive menus, which allow one access
to the standard scene selection and set up features, as well as the
supplements that have been spread across both discs of this set. Disc one
includes a running audio commentary for the theatrical versions of the
film that features producer Don Hahn and directors Rob Minkoff and Roger
Allers. Also included on disc one is The Making of The Morning
Report, which offers a brief look at a song from the Broadway show
that was added to the Special Edition version of the movie. The Disney
Channel Circle of Stars are on hand for a new music video version of Circle
Of Life, with making of featurette. Three deleted scenes are
represented on the disc by concept drawings and rough animation. Disc one
also includes a sing-along track, with subtitled lyrics popping up during
the songs.
On
disc two one will find a nice array of supplements geared towards the
various age groups. In the Story section, one will find Story
Origins, Timeless Themes and The Story Comes
to Life are three brief programs that examine the film’s screen
story. The Film section contains Origins, Production
Research Trip, Art: African Influence, Reflections
and Storyboard Process, five programs which examine how the
concepts for the film’s eventual look came together. In The Stage
section, Musical Origins, Screen to Stage, Musical
Texture, Setting the Stage and Leaps of
Fantasy are five programs that look at the movie’s transition to
a different medium. A Stage Musical Publicity Gallery is
also included in the Stage section. The Virtual Safari
offers an interactive jungle tour with Timon and Pumbaa serving as guides.
The Music section includes seven programs Music
Inspirations, Landmark Songwriting, Orchestral
Color, Scoring Emotion, Music: African
Influence, Audio Sequel and Full Circle.
Introduction, Lions, Meerkats, Warthogs,
Hyenas and Disney & Animals are the six
programs that make up the Animal section. Disc two also features
additional programming in the continent sections, including music videos
with Elton John performing Can You Feel the Love Tonight and
Circle Of Life, as well as trailers, the Imax version and
other erata.
THE
LION KING was an animated motion picture triumph for Disney and is now
a triumph of a DVD. Without question, THE LION KING looks and
sounds incredible on disc. That, along with a nice supplemental package,
makes this a must own DVD for the entire family. Absolutely recommended.
