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Lion King DVD - A Must Have For Your Collection
The Lion King DVD was created by Walt Disney Feature Animation on 1994. On the list of Walt Disney’s Animated Classics this film is number 32nd. The story was developed and inspired by a Shakespeare’s famous play Hamlet as well as Bible stories and it happens in Africa which is considered the kingdom of lions amongst many other animals.
This hand drawn production is number 5 on the highest grossing animated films and continues to be producing top dollars. It is also number one highest producing 2D animated film ever in US! It has been praised by many critics as one of the best films of all time.
On 1994 when Lion King DVD was released it grossed over $783 million. It was the highest grossing movie worldwide and after “Forrest Gump” the second in the US. It earned $312,855,561 in US on 1994 and worldwide it has made $826,593,390. Today it is the 28th highest grossing film ever!
Because of the outstanding success of this movie Walt Disney decided to produce Lion King II (1998) as a sequel and on 2004 The Lion King 1 ½ as a parallel. On 1997 a Broadway adaptation was created which won six Tony Awards including the Best Musical Award.
Lion King DVD has won many awards including Academy Awards for its music both Original Score and Original Song and the Best Motion Picture Award by the Golden Globe.
Elton John and Tim Rice wrote the songs for this musical and Elton John grabbed the attention of the nation by the hit single “Can You Feel the Love tonight” when the movie was released.
With highly dynamic, magical and enchanting visual sequences, Timeless plot, and a magnificent administration this movie will stand strong for many years as one of the best films ever produced.
Plot
The movie takes place in Pride Rock, a peaceful paradise on the African plane and the story starts with many animals getting together to witness the first appearance of the king Musafa, and his queen Sarabi’s newborn son. A wise mandrill Rafiki introduces Simba.
Scar, Musafa’s younger brother is not happy with this new baby’s arrival as he wishes the throne for himself.
Musafa teaches his son about being a king as he grows up but at the same time Scar and the hyenas are forming a conspiracy to take over the Pride Lands.
Scar finally manages to kill Mufasa by refusing to help him when he is clinging to the edge of a cliff for his life after he saves Simba from a large pack of wildebeest stampeding into the gorge provoked by hyenas on Scar’s order. He falls to his death.
Scar manipulates Simba into believing his father’s death was the result of Simba’s carelessness. This Causes Simba to feel ashamed so he leaves the Pride Lands planning not ever come back. Scar moves forward as the rightful king in the absence of Simba.
Simba breaks down in the wasteland after he runs away but he is found and nursed back to health by a meerkat names Timon and a warhog named Pumbaa. This is when they teach him their motto, hakuna matata which means “no worries”.
Years later when Simba is an adult, he saves Timon and Pumbaa when they were attacked by a hungry lioness and realizes the lioness is Nala, his childhood playmate.
Nala is very happy to find Simba and tells him all about Scar’s carelessness as the King of Pride Lands has caused lots of sufferings for the residents and asks him to go back.
Simba refuses to go back still being ashamed of his father’s death. Wise Rafiki summons Mufasa’s ghost for Simba and the ghost tells Simba that he is the one true king being his son.
Simba returns to Pride Lands and confronts Scar on Pride Rock as Timon and Pumbaa distract the hyenas guarding Scar. Scar begs for his mercy and claims the hyenas were the ones arranging everything.
Simba manages to force Scar into confessing his crime and throws him off the cliff. Scar survives the fall but ends up getting killed by the hyenas who heard him betray them.
Simba is welcomed by his mother and Nala. He claims the kingdom and soon Rafiki introduces Simba and Nala’s newborn baby cub to the animals of the Pride Lands. So, the circle of life continues to go on.
Lion King DVD Music
- Elton John and Tim Rice are the writers for the original 5 songs and Elton John performs “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” which is carried out through the end credits.
- “Circle of Life” is voiced by Carmen Twillie, and African vocals are by Lebo M and his Choir.
- “I just Can’t Wait to Be King” is by Jason Weaver (Simba), Laura Williams (Nala), and Rowan Atkinson (Zazu).
- “Be prepared” is performed by Jeremy Irons and Jim Cummings (Scar), Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi), Cheech Marin (Banzai) and Jim Cummings (Ed).
- “Hakuna Matata” is performed by Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Jason Weaver (Samba as a cub) and Joseph Williams (Simba as an adult)
- “Can You Feel the Love Tonight is voiced by Kristle Eswards, and Nathan Lane (Timon)and Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Joseph Williams (adult Simba) and Sally Dworsky ( adult Nala).
This movie is a masterpiece and the greatest animated movie of Walt Disney’s productions. If you happen to have any reservations toward this film being animated and childlike, you will be pleasantly surprised when you make an exception for this movie.
The Lion King DVD is simply extra ordinary and unbelievable, filled with breathtaking sceneries and visual stimulations, stunning choreography, outstanding musical scores and heartwarming characters the viewers would love to cheer for.