The Best of the Classics (Maybe even better appreciated by adults than children)

Rating: 9/10 (17 September 2017)

I cannot believe I forgot how phenomenal this classic is; one I watched at least a few times as a child, learning things I never knew I learned from it until now. Perhaps a better way to put it is that I cannot believe I have not rewatched this as an adult until now. For there are things in this children's classic that I strongly believe cannot be properly appreciated except as an adult.
This is not to say that it is not a great children's masterpiece, for by far the most amazing thing is how much I remember. From specific scenes like the iconic raising of the baby lion to young Nala and Simba frolicking, the initial hyena scene in the elephant graveyard to Scar's ruthless murder, Timon, Pumbaa, & Simba walking across the log bridge singing "Hakuna Matata to Rafiki's cave drawing, I was honestly shocked to find myself saying some lines out loud, more than two decades later.
Hans Zimmer has an amazing soundtrack, as expected. The vocals by Elton John are some of his best. I remembered almost all the songs, singing along, bringing back childhood memories. I cannot believe I remembered them all, in order of my best favorite to most favorite ( I like them all; I could not bring myself to say least favorite): "Hakuna Matata", "I Just Can't Wait To Be King", "Can You Feel The Love Tonight", "Circle Of Life", "The Lion Sleeps Tonight", "Be Prepared", "I've Got A Lovely Bunch of Cocunuts".
I was impressed on this viewing by what a daunting figure they managed to create in Mufasa, the first impression he gives as both a loving fatherly figure but also a King to be feared not an easy feat, especially in animation. I have always appreciated how Scar was presented, obviously not a good guy; a memorable villain, but not unnecessarily overdone. Side characters were a pleasure and not extraneous as has unfortunately become the standard in children's animation today. There is Zazu the somewhat nuisance of a Dodo, Rafiki, probably my favorite. No one can forget Timon and Pumbaa, which maybe should not even be considered to be side characters. The love we can clearly see in Nala and Simba's eyes- as young cubs, but especially as adults- is not something to be left unmentioned, considering that this is 2D animation in 1994. Sarabi, the hyenas, they all had their important roles.
Children can definitely gain a lot from this classic masterpiece. I only learned today how much I did. As adults, however, I am tempted to say we can gain even more.
There is only one thing left for me to do. Watch the Broadway musical.