Still remains a favorite.

Rating: 10/10 (25 October 2002)

My previous comments on The Lion King were inadequate. Therefore, I am writing a newer, better review.
The Lion King has always been a favorite of mine. Sadly, I missed it in theaters, but once it came out on video I watched it like a maniac. My young eyes could not be torn from the screen and I would watch it nonstop. It was like an obsession.
But now I'm a little older and can think about it a little better. The Lion King has some great things, but some flaws as well.
Spoilers.
The animation is really good, especially for its time. It used some CGI (although probably not as much as I'd liked) to add some good effects, but mostly relied on hand-drawn animation. Everything moves rather smoothly, and one cannot complain about its vivid color.
I really like the plot. The young cub is tricked into believing he killed his own father and is sent into exile. He must then return to face his uncle Scar, who has taken the throne. It's a great plot, with several sub-plots that build up rather well, such as Timon and Pumbaa's friendship.
The cast is well-chosen. James Earl Jones, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and even Moira Kelly. What more could one ask for? Each actor/actress does excellently, taking on their characters with a near perfection that still dazzles me to this day.
The music is excellent. Then again, I love just about anything done by Hans Zimmer. He is such a great composer. The Lion King has several great themes that add to the mood of the movie. I don't care much for the songs, but some of them aren't bad.
All in all, The Lion King is another animated flick not just for children. It has the qualities of an adult movie. Death, pain, suffering, friendship, and conflict. There is no reason an older person would feel uncomfortable watching it (with the exception of the songs... ugh).
I really recommend The Lion King to any avid movie-goer. It's something you shouldn't miss.