VHS : The Lion King [1994]

Rating: - Disappointed
I was interested in reading the reviews for The Lion King special edition dvd, since I really didn't enjoy the film, but it seems I am the only person who didn't! After such animated gems as Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc, Shrek and Toy Story I found The Lion King far too 'Disney'. I am sure it is great for younger children, but for me it lacks the wit and humour of those other films. There were some good elements, but I found myself cringing slightly in the few seconds before another song, and the scene where the father dies reminded me of less well done version of Bambi. I'm a big kid really, but obviously not a young enough one to appreciate this film. Sorry all those fans!

---

Rating: - An Ultimate Disney Classic - every home should own -
So why do I considor "The Lion King" to be a classic and state every home should should have one copy of this film you question will be answered in my review (I hope)

Firstly I would like to point out the fact that this is the re-release of the movie and it is the first time it has been put onto Disney DVD.

Now to move on to why you should own this dvd. "The Lion King - Special Edition" is well worth splashing out money on even if you have the original 1994 video edition of the film why? you ask well this DVD doesnt only have the original version of "The Lion King" but it also has another version with an extra song added entitled "The Morning Report" and it has been touched up so its looks even better, to conclude that it has 2 different versions of the movie.

For those who never seen the movie before I will go through what the basis of the plot is like (NO SPOILERS) "Simba" a little lion is desting to be king but is led astray by his amitious uncle "Scar" but things are more complicated than that, I dont want to give to muc of the story away but that is the basic plot but with alot more going on in the story and some ultimate sad moments in this story. This is entertainment for the entire family with its uplifting messages of courage and loyalty and hope.

There are plenty of extras on this DVD to keep you amused for hours on end, this is worth money in itself.

Some people seem to have trouble trying to find the second version of the film and say it is not included but it is so to clear that problem up ill state were you have to go to find the second version(THE ORIGINAL) of "The Lion King" now.

Put disc one into your DVD player then click on the language to suit your choice after one or two trailers this should take you to a bird flying (Zazoo) to were you will get you main menu in a second. On the menu go to SET-UP and click on it this should take you to were the set-up screen. Next click on languages were it has the set-up for both versions of the film (SPECIAL EDITION & ORIGINAL THEATRICAL) to change the versions click on English 5.1 DTS under either heading for what film you want. Now exit out of that to the set-up main menu and at the bottom it should say return to film, click on that and you should have the choiceof the version you wanted. The DVD will always start up with SPEACIAL EDITION version.

I would also like to point out that the soundtrack to this movie is outstanding and you will be singing each song for quite some time after.

To conclude my review I would say this is a must buy for people of any age and is a 100% classic DVD with great extras and great movie and every home should own a copy. Then get the soundtrack, you wont be dissapointed with either product

Thanks for reading

---

Rating: - King of Disney Films
Before there was Toy Story, Monster's Inc. or even Finding Nemo, Disney made this. The best Disney film ever. Also one of the top grossing films of all time and was the top grossing animated film of all time, until Finding Nemo came along.

It tells the story of a young lion cub who is next in line for the King of Prideland. But his evil uncle Scar wants to put a stop to this. So ensues the story of the exiled king Simba and his carefree lifestyle, that is until he has to face his destiny and Scar!

Everything about this film is great. The story, sure it isn't the most original, but it is still great. The whole film is just candy for the eyes. Prideland is beautiful. The voice acting is superb: Jeremy Irons is fantastic as the evil Scar and the characters are superb: You can't help but love Timon and Pumbaa and old wise Rafiki, they are just sooo funny!!!!! Couple all of this with a superb soundtrack (which is one of the top ten selling movie soundtracks of all time with over 13million copies sold worldwide) co-written by Tim Rice and Elton John and performed Elton John and the original score by Hans Zimmer, you have one of the finest animated films ever.

This Special Editon DVD features loads of special features, 2 versions of the film (one with the new song 'Morning Report' which, i have to say, they could have done without seeing as it isn't the original voice who performs it as he has grown up since) and fun games for the kids. Great package altogether! At the beginning, Zazu takes you on a flight around the Prideland, all in glorius 3D and he tells you about all the features. However, it is not Rowan Atkinson who does the voice, but it still works well!

Simply you have to own this if your a Disney fan. Even if you have not seen this film, BUY THIS. It is well worth it. It is, along with 'Beauty and the Beast', the Greatest sole Disney film ever!

---

Rating: - cant get better
we all know that the loin king is one of the best animations that is out today. and the special edition only makes that clearer. i am proud to say that this dvd is excelent and is able to offer people a hight rate of excitment. it has houres of extra fun and even a fe new songs that make it more injoyable to watch. this is def one for the family and adults alike. and im 17 and im cant wait for more in the lion king serice.

---

Rating: - The Best Disney Film, Without Doubt!
I have always loved this film, and recently when I bought the film, I never realised how much I loved it until I started watching it again, and again, and again! Each and every time I watch it, 'The Lion King' never fails to move me emotionally, through its wonderful music and animation. All the characters have features which make the film such a work of genius: Timon and Pumbaa both add comedy when it is needed, Simba has a lovable ruggedness that tugs on the heartstrings etc. etc.

On (serious) discussion with friends, we all came to the conclusion that this film is certainly the best thing Disney ever made. The very thought that some people don't like it, whilst they of course have right to freedom of speech and thought, sends a shiver through my body.

The music in the film is both original and well thought about, and both Elton John and Tim Rice do an excellent job on it. Im not sure which my favourite song is, because they all go down brilliantly with my taste in 'film music'; the extra scene, with the 'Morning Report' isn't particularly bad, as I have been led to believe in some reviews. To be fair to the film-makers, and to quash the protests of these other reviewers, there would be no point getting the original Simba voice to sing, as he would be nearly 10 years older! Now really, unless the actor was a castrato, how on earth could he maintain the voice he had a decade ago? It just would be silly!

Overall, this is a truly ingenious work of art, and I don't regret shelling out my money for it. If only Disney would pull themselves together and make more brilliant films like 'The Lion King'; whilst admittedly the Disney Pixar collaborations were good (here I think of Toy Sotry and Finding Nemo), You can't beat films like this. My advice: BUY IT! It is one of those must-own films, regardless of what others might say, so take heed and buy it now!