Animated adventure that is a treat for the eyes and the heart!

Rating: Null/10 (23 June 1999)

I will admit it, I do not immediately run out when Disney or any other company puts out its latest animated feature. It's just not the fare I indulge in often. If I had it to do over again, I would gladly race to the theater to see "The Lion King," a wonderful and moving family film from Disney. Never have I seen an animated film so vibrant and visually stunning. On top of that, the story is not what I'd consider a kiddie fest. The tale of Simba as he discovers his place in the "circle of life" is heartwarming and almost realistic. Could celebrity voices ever be more suitably matched with animated characters? James Earl Jones is fabulous as Mufasa, the king of the jungle, and Jeremy Irons is devilishly villainous as Scar, the jealous brother who longs to take Mufasa's place as king. Whoopi Goldberg is also a surprise in what I believe is the first time she has played a bad guy. This is definitely one of the best films of 1994, and possibly one of the top three best animated adventures from the Disney studios. Cartoons can truly have a life of their own. Rating: Four stars.