The Lion King (1994) - #66

Empire top 301: #66

IMDb top 250: #75

Rating 9/10

Director: Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff

Writers: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts & Linda Woolverton

Starring: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson & Nathan Lane

"It means no worries for the rest of your days, it's our problem free philosophy. Hakuna Matata!"

The Lion king tells the story of Simba, the future King of the Pride Lands of Africa and his evil uncle Scar who is resentful of Simba as he replaces him as heir to the throne. Tricked by Scar into thinking he's killed his father, Simba leaves Pride Rock guilt ridden abandoning his responsibilities as King, leaving Scar to rule. 

I was 10 when The Lion King first came out. I remember seeing it at the cinema, getting very emotional when Mufasa died, being on the edge of my seat during the stampede and dancing along to the infectious soundtrack. I played the movie to death when we finally owned it on VHS. Nearly 20 years later I still adore this movie. It's a Disney classic.

Like so many Disney classics it's greatness lies in two things; the characters and the songs. It's songs written by Elton John and Tim Rice are so good and always have me singing along; from I Just Can't Wait To Be King & Circle of Life to the two stand outs for me Hakuna Matata and the Academy Award winning Can You Feel The Love Tonight. 

The Lion King boasts a superb all-star ensemble voice cast, led by the delicious tones of Mr Darth Vader himself James Earl Jones. The perfect choice for the majestic and powerful Mufasa. All the voices lent to The Lion King fit their characters perfectly from Rowan Atkinsons Zazu to Whoopi Goldbergs hyena Shenzi, but the real standout is Jeremy Irons as Scar, so charming and persuasive but with a real evil streak running through it. 

Scar is another perfect Disney villian, brilliantly voiced and written. It's really the supporting characters who steal the whole show; like Scar, and Timon and Pumba. They get the best lines and the best songs. The animation is very of it's time but it works, it's vintage yet classic Disney. 

The Lion King is a brilliant film, for the whole family and for me it's up there with The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beaty and The Beast as one of Disney's all time greats.