Over 20 years on, The Lion King is still a masterpiece

Rating: 10/10 (22 April 2016)

The Lion King is undoubtedly one of Disney's greatest accomplishments. Packed full of compelling characters, exciting animation and an incredible, award winning soundtrack, this film is sure to delight both children and adults. Whilst the vibrant colours and animals attract and demand the attention of younger audiences, adults are sure to enjoy the sometimes philosophical messages and questions that this film suggests-making this a film for all the family to enjoy.
This film's storyline is downright Shakespearian at times (as it even draws inspiration from Hamlet), focusing on the power struggles between the generations in a royal family, set against the backdrop of the African pride lands. The strong storyline ensures that this film is not overshadowed by its soundtrack; something which would have easily occurred due to the instantly iconic songs filling this film.
Another area that this film gets spot on is the characters, with their personalities and flaws which are all too easy to relate to. While the protagonist is certainly interesting and well voiced, the true stars of this film are the side characters, who are all handled in their own right. From the wise and powerful father figure of Mufasa to the comedic duo of Timon and Pumba, not to mention the witch doctor monkey Rafiki, this film gets everyone right. The villain is also extremely entertaining and memorable (if a little intimidating to young children at times).
The soundtrack of The Lion King is again incredibly strong, with even the 'weaker' songs still being enjoyable and not out of place. The beginning scene, featuring the well-known 'Circle of Life' is a cinematic delight, featuring beautifully crafted animation and the perfect introduction to this film. The Oscar winning 'Can You Feel the Love Tonight' is again brilliant, but perhaps the uplifting 'Hakuna Matata' is the true musical highlight.
The Lion King is full of poignant themes and lines, which older viewers can certainly appreciate. Disney has not since this film been able to replicate what this film achieves, and this animated classic will surely stay that way for many years to come. So if for whatever reason you haven't seen The Lion King yet, don't miss out on one of Disney's greatest films ever. My personal favourite animated film ever, The Lion King is for all ages to enjoy, and is a timeless masterpiece.