It’s time for me to discuss, in depth, arguably the event movie of the summer.
Of course a quarter-century ago the event movie of the summer was also The Lion King (although it more or less wound up having to share the title with Forrest Gump).
If you’ve gotten used to my “I remember…” posts that’s good because I’m about to do that again.
I remember June 1994. I watched Siskel & Ebert’s review* of the original Lion King and what jumped out at me most was Siskel (God rest both their souls) talking about how this was a more somber film than previous Disney offerings.
There’s of course exactly one reason he would say that. I don’t think I need spoiler tags considering it’s been 25 years, it was in the middle of the movie, and I’m guessing most people knew in advance anyway.
Still, if you don’t know and want to go into the latest movie cold, stop reading now. Just know that I absolutely think you’ll enjoy it and leave it at that.
In the movie’s most famous scene (except for possibly the opening one featuring Rafiki hosting baby Simba in the air) Simba’s father Mufasa gets murdered by Mufasa’s jealous brother Scar. That put The Lion King right next to Bambi as far as tearjerker Disney animated films.
Speaking of which, in advance of its release Disney proudly proclaimed The Lion King its first original story. I later read one article perfectly call it a cross between Bambi and Hamlet but I’ve heard some people say outright that it’s a rip-off of Hamlet, which I don’t understand at all. Mufasa doesn’t posthumously ask Simba to kill Scar, whereas Hamlet wrestling with the request of his ghost dad to kill his uncle is the entire point of Hamlet!
This original story isn’t just memorable because it’s dark though; it’s incredibly engrossing throughout. Simba makes a very likable protagonist, even when starting out as a child getting a big head due to being born heir to the throne. Yet the envy from his uncle who just missed out on that honor as a birthright and now has lost it again leads to sheer horror. We see how Simba copes with all that happens and his actions never feel constrained by what’s expected of a Disney hero; he is always dynamic. Jonathan Taylor Thomas, then a charismatic child star, and Matthew Broderick, best known for playing everyone’s favorite free-spirited slacker**, are perfect as the daring, rambunctious young Simba and the empty, nomadic older Simba. They get terrific support from the rest of the cast, especially the iconic James Earl Jones. Although Jones has done some very notable work in front of the camera (not to mention on stage), I think we can agree it’s his voiceover work as Mufasa and Darth Vader that truly makes him a legend.
Beyond the acting, the movie’s merits are still humungous. The animation takes your breath away and holds up remarkably well, given 2D animation has been passé for decades. The artists at Disney did an exquisite job showing us the splendor of the kingdom, the horror of the forbidden area, the majesty of the stars and the weather that beautifully captures the spirit of the moment.
Of course we can’t sing the praises (pun intended) of this movie without mentioning the legendary Elton John soundtrack. 90s kids, how many times did we hear “Circle of Life”, “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King”, and “Can You Feel The Love Tonight?” on the radio? Deservedly so, and the same can be said for the awards recognition the movie’s music got. Is it any wonder that not only was the movie turned into a Broadway musical, but said musical became the highest grossing entertainment property of all time? *** Heck even Timon and Pumbaa singing “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” is a moment I’ll never forget.
Deservedly, when this movie came out it went on to gross more than all but TWO movies that had ever come before it! Only E.T. and the original Star Wars had outdone The Lion King.
They say you don’t mess with perfection, but did this new version mess with it?
Up Next: Find out the answer to that!
Bottom Line: I just called it perfect.
Agree? Disagree? Feel free to comment.
*There was a cartoon in the mid-90s I loved called The Critic in which the main character, Jay, was referred to a combination of Siskel & Ebert who was balder than Siskel and fatter than Ebert. One of my favorite memories on the show was when Jay met his new girlfriend Alice’s small daughter Penny. She said, “You didn’t like The Lion King”, and punched him in the nose. Alice scolded Penny for not being nice but Jay said, “It’s okay. [Washington Post critic] Rex Reed did the same thing.” Then Penny said, “I’m sorry”, kissed Jay’s nose, and hugged him. Jay smiled and said “Rex Reed did that too.”
**If you don’t get that reference shame on you.
***Don’t take my word for it. Read this in amazement!
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