My favorite animated film.

Rating: 10/10 (26 June 2015)

"I know what I have to do. But going back means I'll have to face my past. I've been running from it for so long."
Ever since I first saw The Lion King in 1994 it has remained my favorite animated film of all time. I don't think I've revisited another movie as much as I have this one. I loved each one of the characters (Timon being one of my all time favorites), the story, the songs, and the emotional roller-coaster ride it took me through. It's a perfect film in my opinion and I ignore the comments saying that it's emotionally manipulative. It's also one of the most quotable animated movies and the animation of the African savannah is simply breathtaking.
The Lion King plays out as a Shakespearean tragedy as it is loosely based on Hamlet, and I have to admit that this film probably influenced my love for Shakespeare. I'm not going to lie, I didn't even know anything about Shakespeare when I first saw this movie, and after reading Hamlet I never even made the connection between these two. My love for The Lion King must have subconsciously influenced my appreciation for Shakespeare because now I'm a huge fan of his work and have read many of his plays.
The story is incredibly gripping and there are several scenes that have stuck with me all these years. The very opening sequence is simply impressive as we are introduced to the kingdom and all the animals have gathered around to see the new born prince. Who can forget the first time Scar shows up on screen and Mufasa is there to confront him for not showing up at his son's birth. Scar is a very different villain and one who wouldn't dare face his brother face to face, but he is manipulative and smart. Then there is the frightening scene where Simba and Nala visit the Elephant Cemetery and are chased by the hyenas. And I could continue naming more scenes because the entire story is simply gripping. My favorite moment however is when Simba befriends the unlikely duo of Timon and Pumba, but who can forget the scene where Simba laments his father's death. James Earl Jones was the perfect choice for Mufasa's voice. Everything about this film works, it's a masterpiece.
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