The Lion King DVD Review: Page 1 of 4

The Lion King original 1994 movie poster

The Lion King

Theatrical Release: June 24, 1994 / Running Time: 87 Minutes / Rating: G
IMAX Release: December 25, 2002

Directors: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Voice Cast: Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Young Simba), Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Jeremy Irons (Scar), Niketa Calame (Young Nala), Moira Kelly (Adult Nala), Nathan Lane (Timon), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Robert Guillaume (Rafiki), Rowan Atkinson (Zazu), Madge Sinclair (Sarabi), Zoe Leader (Sarafina), Jason Weaver (Young Simba, singing)

Songs: "Circle of Life", "I Just Can't Wait to Be King", "Be Prepared", "Hakuna Matata", "Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"

Awards: Academy Awards - Best Song ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight?"), Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer); Golden Globes - Best Picture (Comedy/Musical), Best Original Score, Best Original Song ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight?")

Click to read our The Lion King: Diamond Edition Blu-ray + DVD review.

In October 2011, Disney re-issued The Lion King in a Diamond Edition Blu-ray + DVD. For our all-new review of this newer edition, click here.

THE LION KING DVD REVIEW

Page 1: Movie Notes & DVD Introduction
Page 2: A Note on the Film's "Original Theatrical Cut"
Page 3: Audio and Video & Disc 1
Page 4: Disc 2 & Closing Thoughts

The sun rises over the African Savannah at the beginning of Disney's beloved animated classic "The Lion King."

There's a small number of a films that I admire too much to attempt to review them. My writing certainly won't do justice to the greatness of them, so rather than struggle with superlatives and words that won't satisfy me in the way the film does, I'll pass almost altogether on reviewing The Lion King.

Nonetheless, the status of the film and the nature of this site both call for me to review this Platinum DVD release.

Suffice it to say that The Lion King is the best Disney film that I've seen, and I've seen a bunch. The numerous highlights include a riveting score which blends Hans Zimmer and African choruses featuring Lebo M, some of the most wonderful and catchy songs to ever be recorded on film, energetic performances all around from a talented voice cast, vibrant and colorful animated scenery, and incredibly effective and cinematic direction and style.

On the off chance that you're one of the few people who haven't seen this wonderful film, it is about a young lion cub named Simba, whose father Mufasa happens to be the king of Pride Rock. Throw into the mix his jealous uncle Scar, best friend Nala, free-spirited roamers Timon and Pumbaa, and the tale of Simba's development is filled with adventure, comedy, music, and a variety of life lessons.

DVD Details

1.66:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Dolby Digital 5.1 (English, French), DD 5.1 Enhanced Home Theater Mix (English)
Subtitles: English, Sing-Along Track
Closed Captioned
Release Date: October 7, 2003
Single-sided, dual-layered disc (DVD-9)
Suggested Retail Price: $29.99
Black Dual Amaray Keepcase
Also available in Collector's Gift Set and The Lion King Movie Collection

THE DVD: Introduction

Long-awaited, The Lion King, both the all-time top-selling videocassette and Disney's highest-grossing animated classic, finally arrives on DVD over six and half years after the launch of the format. It is third in the studio's Platinum Collection, a series which features a new 2-disc set of one of their ten best-selling video titles each fall. (Starting in March 2005, the rate will be increased to bi-yearly releases.) The distinction between their Platinum Edition DVDs and other multi-disc sets seem to mean less and less, though, as they issue apt sets for Sleeping Beauty and next January's Alice in Wonderland with similar design but no "Platinum" moniker. Both follow-ups to the premiere Platinum Edition, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (released October 2001) have lowered the bar on in-depth and insightful making-of supplements and raised the bar on inconsequential fare that is somehow supposed to appeal to today's youth.

In that regard, this 2-disc Lion King set is the most disappointing Platinum release. Rather than produce some new features that enhance one's understanding and appreciation of both the film and its creation, Disney has spent money on remixed song music videos, childish set-top games, and a new musical number (an addition they foolishly feel is necessary to get people to repurchase the movie on a new format). Of course, the brunt of spending was assigned to marketing the DVD release, something that Disney has heavily done in the past several months.