The Lion King (1994)

Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
Stars: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
Runtime: 88 minutes

Synopsis: A Lion cub crown prince is tricked by a treacherous uncle into thinking he caused his father's death and flees into exile in despair, only to learn in adulthood his identity and his responsibilities.

Animation: 5/5
Performances: 5/5
Screenplay: 5/5
Editing: 5/5
Score/Soundtrack: 5/5
Entertainment Factor: 5/5

Verdict: You've all probably seen "The Lion King" and know what it's about. And if you haven't for one reason or another, I urge you to stop whatever you're doing right now and watch it because, and I rarely use that word when describing movies, it's a masterpiece. Having said that, there will be spoilers in that review, so read at your own risk.

Famously made by Disney's B team as their A team was busy making Pocahontas, "The Lion King" went on to win 2 Oscars and be regarded as one of the best animated features of all times. Children and adults alike, including me, instantly fell in love with it. And how could they not? It's an infinitely rewatchable flick with well-delivered messages that only gets better with each viewing. Every single aspect in it is handled with so much care and passion that you're instantly transported to the jungles of Africa for 88 minutes. The characters, given life through the iconic voices of the likes of James Earl Jones or Jeremy Irons as well as the exceptional and integral two-dimensional animation that allowed them to show emotion through facial expressions, are given so much depth and layers that you can't help but relate or feel something towards each and every one of them, including Scar, who in my opinion belongs in the hall of fame of movie villains. Hans Zimmer's exceptional, emotionally-heavy, and Oscar-winning score mixed with Elton John's original songs make the music in the movie, and Scar would agree, "to die for". You can't help but sing along with the characters to the immortal tunes that include "Hakuna Matata", "Circle of Life", and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", all of which were nominated for Oscars and the latter even winning it.

I can't really think of anything I didn't like about "The Lion King", except maybe for the fact that ending feels a tiny bit rushed. It's a classic that still hold up to this day and one that will be loved by generations to come. Truly Disney's opus.

FINAL GRADE: 9.5/10