Deserving of all the love in the world.

Rating: 10/10 (14 July 2010)

The story's theme being about life and the changes that can happen in it, makes this easily relate-able and very deep already in itself. The moral of the story being how you should not run away from your problems/past but take your responsibilities, is important and well showed and handled.
This is very enjoyable for people of all ages, as this has catchy songs, written and composed by the legendary duo Tim Rice & Elton John, also fine humor and easy-to-love characters. Many of the major characters are extremely well written, too.
All in all, Disney seems to have had their heart in the business. Which can not be said from some of their classic cartoons, especially of late.
Simba is my favorite character not only because he's cute and such a typical, spirited boy child, and is an entertaining mixture of an arrogant, macho rich kid and a kid with a brave and warm heart - but also because he's not your typical Disney hero, who appears perfect from the very beginning. He actually DEVELOPS into the hero he is expected to be. As a child, he has the villain's tendencies in ways of thinking. That's completely fascinating. But knowing he respects his father's values, we don't need to fear that he'd become a villain himself.
However, this seems to be more targeted at adults, as the basic story, (based on 'Hamlet'), is very dark and heavy. I don't recall any other Disney classic that gets even close. Because, this film also portrays that story openly and with brutal frankness, and they didn't even ruin the villain by making him a total clown. No, Scar is one of the most outstanding and best Disney villains ever. He's very cruel, dark and clever, and obsessed. I daresay that without Timon and Pumbaa and their crazy lifestyle brining in the light, children would not enjoy this much.
But as it is, this film has everything a film and a story needs to entertain people of all ages, over and over again and from generation to another. The Lion King is timeless, and a true classic.