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Rating: 5 out of 5
“Nants ingonyama bakithi baba”
One of my all-time Disney movies, and honestly in the top three of Disney films, is the original cartoon version of The Lion King. The Lion King is the shit and one of the best films ever made, with a stellar voice cast, fantastic music, and a story that might make you cry. The Lion King continued the Disney Renaissance with a stellar box office. Its worldwide gross was around $763 million, making it the highest-grossing film of 1994. That is straight-up money in the bank. The film also was the second all-time highest-grossing film behind one of my all-time favorites, Jurassic Park. The film was the highest-grossing animated film until Finding Nemo came along and topped it.
If you have ever seen or heard of the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare, the Lion King story is modeled after it with a young heir who is forced to dip out after his “caring” uncle kills his father and takes over the throne. The uncle destroys the kingdom and becomes a tyrant until the son returns. Let me tell you how The Lion King rolls with its amazing story.
In the lands of Tanzania, a pride of lions rules the lands from the epic rock formation called Pride Rock. King Mufasa, voiced by the late and great James Earl Jones, and his wife, Queen Sarabi, welcome their newborn son, Simba, to the world. During the ceremony, as all the animals in the land gather, Rafiki, the king’s advisor and shaman, shows off Simba in one of the most epic scenes in Disney history. Mufasa’s younger brother, Scar, is missing from the ceremony, voiced by the great Jeremy Irons, who wants the throne for himself.
As Simba grows, Mufasa shows Simba the lands and tells him that everything the light touches is their rule, but anything in the darkness is beyond their rule. Mufasa also explains the responsibilities of being a king and the circle of life. Scar, being the best uncle he can be, manipulates Simba into visiting the elephant graveyard. Simba and his best friend Nala roll up and meet three spotted hyenas named Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings). Mufasa manages to save the pair. Scar, watching from the distance, meets with the hyenas and convinces them to kill Mufasa in exchange for all the food they can hunt. The next scene is tough as Scar executes his plan by luring Simba into a gorge and having his crew set off a stampede. As Mufasa saves Simba and tries to get to safety, Scar does the unthinkable, and tears will flow. Scar tells Simba it is all his fault and to bounce.
Simba hauls ass and walks across a desert before being rescued by two outcast but amazing creatures in Timon a meerkat (voiced by Nathan Lane) and a warthog named Pumbaa (voiced by Ernie Sabella). Timon and Pumbaa take Simba to their lovely oasis home and teach Simba the ways of “hakuna matata.” Simba grows up to be a mighty lion and forgets about his former life until Nala rolls up looking for food. Nala tells Simba what has happened to Pride Rock and how Scar messed up everything. Simba doesn’t want to hear it until Rafiki shows up and throws down some much-needed wisdom. Simba decides it is time to face his past and his uncle once and for all.
That is the story of the Lion King. It is an amazing watch as it is intense in some areas and will make you cry. I’m going to spoil it now; Mufasa’s death is heartbreaking. Not only the way he died by his brother but also when Simba asks his dad to get up. The tears will roll. Secondly, and this is off subject, we know that look Nala gives in the jungle. A little kid might not pick it up, but an adult will. You’re about to get some ass, you know, that look from a woman who wants it.
Sorry, let’s talk about the amazing music of this film. Almost every song is a straight-up banger and one that you will sing at the top of your lungs. The opening song, “Circle of Life,” is a great song that opened the film. The first lyric brings chills to your skin and has such African pride in it. “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” is a classic. Who wouldn’t want to be king? The song is fun to listen to but also one where you see how naïve Simba and Nala are about the responsibilities of being a king. “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is a great romantic song that brings Simba and Nala together again. You can see the love grow in each of the characters.
Now the two songs that are on another level are “Be Prepared” and “Hakuna Matata.” “Be Prepared” is by far one of the greatest villain’s songs ever made and sung. The song sung by Irons is straight-up diabolical. It is sung by Scar, who wants to be king. He tells his army of hyenas that he plans to murder Mufasa and Simba and take the throne. It even has some Nazi Germany in it with the hyenas marching. A great freaking song. On the opposite end of the spectrum is “Hakuna Matata,” which is a fun-loving song where Timon and Pumbaa tell the world to have no worries. It is a fun-loving song that honors the Swahili language.
The voice acting in this film is phenomenal. First, James Earl Jones turns in another iconic voice performance as Mufasa. When you think of the king of lions and what his voice should sound like, Jones’ voice is spot on and needs to be applauded. Jones will forever be Mufasa. Close to Jones’ performance must be Jeremy Irons as Scar. Irons had the voice and appeal to show Scar as a manipulative, power-hungry lion who used his brains rather than brawn. Irons was so good that when ever I hear him, I think of this character.
I want to give major props to Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella as Timon and Pumbaa. They made the film fun and hilarious as the pair of characters who have no worries. When you can make a hula dance iconic and drop some major lines during the singing, you deserve to be appreciated. Robert Guillaume as Rafiki was another fun performance. Guillaume voiced the legendary shaman as a crazy mandrill but dropped some major knowledge on those who needed it. Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings were great as the trio of hyenas. When they spoke Mufasa’s name, their lines will always be one of the greatest quotes. Say it again…..Mufasa.
The Lion King will get nothing but praise from me. It is one of the best-animated films of all time and will forever be appreciated. The music is outstanding, the voice performances are phenomenal, and the story is one to watch. You can play this movie repeatedly and not get tired. Watch this version rather than the live action. You will appreciate this one more.
BONUS CLIP!!!
