The King of 90s' Disney Animation

Rating: 10/10 (8 May 2010)

Loosely shaped around the plot structure of William Shakespeare's 'Hamlet', Disney's 'The Lion King' follows Simba, a royal lion cub, in his life following the death of his father. Touching on friendship, identity and responsibility, 'The Lion King' is timeless, standing firm as one of the most popular Walt Disney Classics of its era.
More than fifteen years since its release the film requires no introduction, for so much of its content contributes to the now iconic imagery of the title. Its place in popular culture is certified, from the international adoption of the 'Hakuna Matata' philosophy (hopefully lacking the movie's connotations of life without ambitions) to its uplifting soundtrack, featuring classics composed by Sir Elton John such as the Academy Award-winning 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' (Best Original Song, 1994). There are undoubtedly many loyal fans of 'The Lion King' worldwide that can recite numerous pieces of the well-constructed dialogue, including the wise teachings of the shamanistic monkey Rafiki as well as the wisecracks of Timon and Pumbaa, the meerkat and warthog duo that introduce Simba to a life with 'no worries' following his exile.
As seen in the work of the studio prior to 'The Lion King', anthropomorphic animals are crafted with an endearing sense of the human condition that relates them to viewers in a more intimate manner, amplified here to a heavier degree by introducing the concept of family burdens. Emotions such as grief and loss add a poignancy to many scenes that goes unrivalled by live action productions, upholding the belief of many that animation is not at all a format, but simply one manner of telling a story.
'The Lion King' is inspirational on so many levels and in such varying contexts that it proves memorable to the diverse range of viewers that it already has, more than a decade since its initial release. Long live the King indeed.
10/10