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Movies / On DVD / The Lion King
The Lion King

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The Lion King (1994)

92%
90%
95%
N/A
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N/A
92 %
Reviews Counted: 62 Fresh: 57  Rotten:5 Average Rating: 8/10
 
Consensus: Richly drawn and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands among Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
 

How does the Tomatometer work?

The Tomatometer measures the percentage of positive reviews from Approved Tomatometer Critics for a certain movie.[-]

Runtime: 90 mins

Synopsis: Wild Africa is the setting for this animated tale of a young lion cub whose evil uncle usurps his father's crown and lets hyenas overrun the kingdom (borrowing elements of both Hamlet and Richard III). Dodging danger and befriending some oddball characters, the cub wanders until the day he's... Wild Africa is the setting for this animated tale of a young lion cub whose evil uncle usurps his father's crown and lets hyenas overrun the kingdom (borrowing elements of both Hamlet and Richard III). Dodging danger and befriending some oddball characters, the cub wanders until the day he's ready to return. Songs by Elton John and featuring the voices of Whoopie Goldberg, Cheech Marin, James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and Jeremy Irons. Academy Award Nominations: 4, including 3 for Best Original Song. Academy Awards: 2, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song (Elton John and Tim Rice: "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"). [More]

Genre: Childrens

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Guillaume

Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Screenwriter: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts

DVD Info

Release:

Sep 12, 2003

[DVD Details]
  • The Lion King Special Edition
  • Disney's THE LION KING SPECIAL EDITION features an all-new song, "Morning Report," and never-before-seen animation, giving you even more of this award-winning masterpiece -- the greatest animated adventure of all time. An unforgettable story, breathtaking animation, beloved characters, and Academy Award(R)-winning music (Best Original Score, 1994; Best Song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight") set the stage for the adventures of Simba, the feisty lion cub who "just can't wait to be king." But his envious Uncle Scar has plans for his own ascent to the throne, and he forces Simba's exile from the kingdom. Alone and adrift, Simba soon joins the escapades of a hilarious meerkat named Timon and his warmhearted warthog pal, Pumbaa. Adopting their carefree lifestyle of "Hakuna Matata," Simba ignores his real responsibilities until he realizes his destiny and returns to the Pride Lands to claim his place in the "Circle of Life." Now extensively restored and remastered -- experience THE LION KING like never before, from its magnificent musical opening over breathtaking African vistas to its emotional climax. The all-star vocal talents -- including Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Ernie Sabella -- rip-roaring comedy, and uplifting messages of courage, loyalty, and hope make this timeless tale entertainment for all ages.
  • Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment
  • Reviews

     
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    1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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    Ratings Image
    4/5

    This is more a favourite of the children than adult Disney fans. It has a few memorable songs and has spawned a very popular stage production.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/04/08
    Empire Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    The sickly Elton John and Tim Rice songs ruin any attempts at hipness.

    Full Review | comment 4 Comments
    03/04/08
    Channel 4 Film
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A winner.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    02/09/06
    Time Out
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    5/5

    The animation is simple and bold, with fluency and muscular confidence, and Elton John and Tim Rice's songs drive the story onward with terrific fervour.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    01/06/03
    Peter Bradshaw
    Guardian [UK]
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    This is Disney animation at the peak of its powers.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    12/05/02
    Rich Cline
    Shadows on the Wall
    Ratings Image
    5/5

    Long live the King.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    12/03/02
    Jamie Russell
    BBC
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    This tale of a lion cub's coming of age in the African veldt offers a less memorable song score than did the previous hits, and a hasty, unsatisfying dramatic resolution.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/04/08
    TV Guide's Movie Guide
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A computer-animated scene featuring a stampede of wildebeest is positively breathtaking.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/04/08
    Desson Thomson
    Washington Post
    Ratings Image
    A-

    The Lion King, more than any of the recent wave of Disney animated features, has the resonance to stand not just as a terrific cartoon but as an emotionally pungent movie.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/04/08
    Owen Gleiberman
    Entertainment Weekly
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    The result is a step toward multiculturalism and ecological correctness, though not without a certain amount of confusion.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    03/04/08
    Jonathan Rosenbaum
    Chicago Reader
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    Hakuna Matata aside, this is a worthwhile film.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    01/28/05
    Staci Layne Wilson
    StaciWilson.com
    Ratings Image
    5/5

    Trabalhando com arquétipos e temas verdadeiramente mitológicos, O Rei Leão conseguiu se transformar em clássico menos de uma década depois de seu lançamento.

    comment Comment
    08/06/04
    Pablo Villaca
    Cinema em Cena
    Ratings Image
    4/4

    Makes up for its shortcomings in the musical department with a strong dose of mature drama.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    01/05/04
    Michael Dequina
    Mr. Brown's Movies
    Ratings Image
    3.5/4

    This often dark tale about a lion cub holds real emotional resonance.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    11/04/03
    Matt Brunson
    Creative Loafing
    Ratings Image
    A+

    It’s an animated and kid-friendly variation on Hamlet, and it is wonderful.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/24/03
    Forrest Hartman
    Reno Gazette-Journal
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    A crown jewel of modern Disney animation.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/14/03
    Glenn Abel
    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    You can't go wrong with The Lion King.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/10/03
    Bob Bloom
    Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN)
    Ratings Image
    N/A

    How ‘special’ is this ‘special edition’? It features one extra musical number . . . apparently.

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/09/03
    James O'Ehley
    Movie Gurus
    Ratings Image
    3/4

    I can intellectualize the film's delights without feeling offended by my numbness to them

    Full Review | comment Comment
    10/06/03
    Bill Chambers
    Film Freak Central
    Ratings Image
    5/5

    No review available.

    comment Comment
    10/05/03
    Josh Gilchrist
    Billings Outpost (Montana)
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