Probably not fair to say that it went downhill from here for Disney animation but...

Rating: 9/10 (7 April 2006)

...it seems suffice to say that Disney's non-computer animation would never quite be this flush with success and critical acclaim ever again. One could argue that Pocohantas or Mulan were at least reasonably well-made offerings,or that Tarzan,Hunchback of Notre Dame or Hercules were commercially successful(if perhaps uninspired treatments of much darker material),but still it wouldn't be able to blunt the fact that after THe Lion KIng,Disney animation was bound to disappoint,with films being cranked out more frequently,the onset of PIXAR and passable animation from 20th Century-Fox and Dreamworks. helped basically push Disney out of the top spot as full-length animation King.
The story is fairly well-known by now I thi9nk,but in case you weren't aware of this gem before,here goes: playful lion cub Simba(voiced by Jonathan Taylor THomas),whose is destined to be the next king of the jungle,lets his curiosity and gullibility get the best of him--due in no small part to the vile scheming of his evil Uncle Scar(voiced fantastically by Jeremy Irons)--and becomes unwittingly involved in Scar's plot to do away with his brother,the King Mufasa(Voice of none-better,JAmes EArl Jones). When he runs away away from the wild-lands due to guilt,he is adopted by a carefree odd-couple named Timon,a meerkat(voice of Nathan Lane,who can do more with voice expression alone than some actors can do with their whole bodies) and Pumba,a warthog(voiced by under-appreciated character actor Ernie Sabella). He grows up under their care(and gains the voice of Matthew Broderick) and plans to stay worry-free and happy until fate crosses him with his childhood friend NAla(voice of Moira Kelly).
Bouncy musical numbers from Elton John and Tim Rice,a nice, gentle,humored script by Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts and directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff make this animated film more than a kid-friendly treatment of Hamlet. (If memory serves,I believe Mr.Minkoff went on to direct and/or produce the Broadway production as well) The musical numbers may be approaching saccharine sweet and the plot and characters may seem all too familiar now,but it's still quality entertainment,pure and simple. While the enjoyment or entertainment value of Disney animation may vary from person-to-person,it's tough to argue that in a five-year,four movie span(The Little Mermaid,Beauty and the Beast,Aladdin and this film)the strength and vitality of the storied Mouse franchise.