The zenith of traditional American animation.

Rating: 10/10 (23 August 2010)

"A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king."
The Lion King was a masterpiece when I was a kid, and it's still a masterpiece, now. It's easily in my personal top ten. It's a movie that every breathing person should see. Other than those things, there are really only three other details you need to know about it.
1. A lot of the better animated movies are known for being enjoyable for both kids and adults, but The Lion King may be the very best example of that description. Children will love the antics of the hyena trio and Timon and Pumbaa, while adults will find the Hamlet-inspired drama to be top-notch.
2. The animation is outstanding; from the bright, vivid colors of the characters and scenery of The Pride Lands, to the nightmarish macabre darkness of The Elephant Graveyard. I still don't think that there has been superior traditional animation from the U.S., Japan, or anywhere else. It's dazzling in standard definition, I'm almost drooling at the prospect of the eventual high-def release.
3. If you like the musical aspect of animated movies, you're in luck. While most Disney films have one or two great songs and several good ones, The Lion King is packed with great songs from beginning to end. Nostalgia may be partially to blame, but I can't hear The Circle of Life or Can You Feel the Love Tonight without getting goosebumps.