Far from my favorite Disney movie and may, IMO, be very slightly overrated

Rating: 8/10 (3 May 2016)

Do not get me wrong when I say that I enjoyed this adaptation of Hamlet, with a few songs that I could remember (more than Aladdin, which boosted points), an emotional scene that would become a cliché in plenty of movies to follow, such as The Good Dinosaur, and some pop-culture references that, despite being somewhat out of place in a Tanzanian savanna, work occasionally (there are a few to less child-friendly films, such as In the Heat of the Night), and there was apparently a strong enough story to warrant a true sequel, an alternate timeline, two spin-offs, and cameos in plenty of other Disney productions. Compared to other animated films of 1994 (such as A Troll in Central Park), it is a major step up. However, now that I see it as my critic self, I found little enjoyment with Pumbaa other than the fascinating voice given to him by Ernie Sabella. While The Lion King isn't the first Disney movie to have restroom humor (Beauty and The Beast and The Great Mouse Detective had belching scenes), I was miffed by constant allusions to Pumbaa's issue with wind. When he tries to be funny in other ways, he can occasionally work, but I prefer Timon. Because of that issue, this is just outside the you-must-see category in the feel-free-to-check-it-out category.