Every once in a while the Walt Disney Company instead of bastardizing a classic story will come up of one of its own. The Lion King isn't really new, it's based on several stories. Hamlet and Richard III are easily found here. Everyone steals from Shakespeare.

The Lion King is the story of good leadership versus poor leadership. Where resources are well managed there is enough food for all. Where resources are not well managed, there is famine.

It's also a story of failure, and redemption. Young Simba believes he is responsible for his father's death. He runs from his responsibility, and the blame. When he is older, he is reminded of those responsibilities and goes home to face the consequences.

This is one of Disney's best. The story is strung together from several legends and keeps one's attention. The animation is Disney pulling out all the stops. There is computer animation here, but nothing too obvious as in Aladdin or Beauty and the Beast. The animation style is smoothly maintained. This is a musical. The songs are extremely well written and performed.

This is a film Walt Disney himself would have been proud of. The Lion King is the Walt Disney Company at its best.

No Suction!

Film Facts

Cast
• Matthew Broderick
• Joseph Williams
• Jonathan Taylor Thomas
• Jason Weaver
• James Earl Jones
• Jeremy Irons
• Moira Kelly
• Niketa Calame
• Laura Williams
• Ernie Sabella
• Nathan Lane
• Robert Guillaume
• Rowan Atkinson
• Madge Sinclair
• Zoe Leader
• Whoopi Goldberg
• Cheech Marin
• Jim Cummings
• Sally Dworsky
• Cathy Cavadini
• Judi M. Durand
• Daamen J. Krall
• David McCharen
• Philip Proctor
• David Randolph
• Frank Welker

Directed by
Roger Allers
Rob Minkoff

Released in 1994

MPAA Rating: G

Reviewed by Mongo