Along With Finding Nemo, This is the Best Film Disney's Ever Produced...

Rating: 10/10 (9 September 2008)

To call this a "simple kids film" is to not understand this film at all. Along the lines of Bambi, there's a lot of dark subject matter to be explored (the death of a parent) and even deeper is the use of texts like The Odyssey and Hamlet as seemingly interesting inspirations incorporated into a Disney film with heart, charm, and glorious music.
The acting is all well done. Everyone gives it their A-game, especially James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jeremy Irons. Broderick is okay, though cannot deliver his lines without a huge effort on his behalf.
The animation is stunning. Such vivid imagery and color is used in the opening shots that it sets the standard for the rest of the picture.
Hans Zimmer's score is the second-greatest I've ever heard (next to The Lord of the Rings films, which I count as one film). The sweeping "king of the past" theme is gorgeous, and the haunting cues for Scar are terrifying. The musical numbers written by Tim Rice are great, and are sure to be remembered for ages. Elton John's, Can You Feel the Love Tonight? is so grand and beautiful, it was completely deserving of the Best Original Song Academy Award.
The story is confined to 90-minutes, though I could've watched twice of that. The film's pace is never dulling, and always inspiring. From the sheer horror Simba faces when seeing his dead father, to the simply masterpiece of a scene where the rains wash away Scar's destroying of Pride Rock, and Simba's ascension as king... just beautiful.
Overall, right alongside Finding Nemo, The Lion King is the best film Disney has ever produced. From its story to it's execution, it is flawlessly excellent. I highly recommend you see this film if you haven't already.