 ***PLEASE NOTE: A Blu-ray 3D disc is only compatible with 3D Blu-ray players.*** --- Diamond Edition --- The wait is over! For the first time ever, experience the majesty of Disney's epic animated masterpiece as it roars onto Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D! With a spectacular picture, spine-tingling high definition sound and immersive bonus features - you will feel the love for this critically acclaimed and universally beloved classic like never before! Embark on an extraordinary coming-of-age adventure as Simba, a lion cub who cannot wait to be king, searches for his destiny in the great "Circle Of Life." You will be thrilled by the breathtaking animation, unforgettable Academy Award-winning music (1994: Best Original Score, Best Original Song, "Can You Feel The Love Tonight") and timeless story. The king of all animated films reigns on Disney Blu-ray 3D - Magic In A New Dimension! Storyline: A lion prince, Simba, is born in Africa and the animals of the Pride Lands pay tribute. Later Simba is told by his father, King Mufasa, that when Mufasa dies, Simba will become King of the Pride Lands. Simba's Uncle Scar would have been king after Musafa had Mufasa not had a child. Fuelled by rage, Scar plots to kill Mufasa and Simba so he is able to take over the throne. He uses the hyenas to cause a stampede through the canyon where Mufasa and Simba are, and personally ensures Mufasa falls to his death. Simba survives so Scar implies that the stampede was Simba's fault and that the pride will blame him. Simba flees the Pride Lands meaning never to return home. Simba is found, collapsed with exhaustion, by Timone the Meerkat, and Pummba the Warthog, and the trio become fast friends. Simba stays with them well into adulthood until his childhood friend, Nala, hunting beyond the... Written by fallgeek Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Kenneth Brown on September 26, 2011 -- Set aside the circle of life for a moment. Let's talk shelf life. Not every Disney animated film is made equal; for every beloved timeless classic there's at least one forgettable misfire prowling the tree line at the edge of the clearing. Nostalgia plays a crucial role in keeping so many "Disney Classics" classic, and the Disney Vault -- brace for impact, naive Mouse Housers -- is a regulatory agency, not a preservation paradise. But The Lion King has had a long, illustrious shelf life, despite the many years it's spent in the Vault. Special editions, direct to video sequels, a wildly successful Broadway adaptation (the seventh longest-running show in Broadway history), merchandising, merchandising, merchandising and, now, a theatrical 3D reissue and a highly anticipated high definition release. Just what is it about The Lion King that resonates? Its proud kings of the plains? Its endearing sidekicks? Its sinister villain? Elton John and Tim Rice's songs? Hans Zimmer's score? The film's iconic coronation sequence? The tragic death of a noble father and king? The rise of a scorned son? The story's dark overtones? Its Biblical and Shakespearean roots? Simba's heartbreak? His conflict? His triumph? Perhaps a better question would be, what about The Lion King doesn't resonate? A mixing pot of inspirations -- some intentional (Bambi, Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and the Old Testament stories of Joseph and Moses), others either shockingly unintentional or brazenly so (Osamu Tezuka's Kimba the White Lion, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the tale of a certain Pride Lands prince) -- The Lion King strikes a carefully honed balance between bleak tragedy and the family-friendly song-n-dance routine Disney all but perfected in the decades after dear Uncle Walt's seven dwarfs belted out their first rousing round of "Heigh-Ho." At first glance, the story is simple. A lion cub named Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas) is born to the rulers of the African Pride Lands, benevolent King Mufasa (James Earl Jones) and compassionate Queen Sarabi (Madge Sinclair). But Mufasa's power-hungry brother, Scar (Jeremy Irons), doesn't intend to settle for scraps. With the help of a pack of hyenas, Scar murders the king and tricks Simba into believing he's to blame for Mufasa's death. Heartbroken and overcome by guilt, Simba flees into the wilderness. There, he meets Timon and Pumbaa (Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella), a dynamic meerkat-warthog duo who save the cub and, years later, help an older but angstier Simba (Matthew Broderick) return to the Pride Lands to take back his crown and kingdom from Scar and the hyenas. Simple, yes, but strong. Upon closer examination, though, the story's layers become more apparent. As does The Lion King's staying power. It's more than Mufasa's death, which remains as gripping and emotional a scene as ever. It's more than Hakuna Matata, which has only further solidified its place in the cultural lexicon in recent years. It's more than Elton John's catchy songs, more than Simba's fight to reclaim his birthright, more than his budding love for Nala (Moira Kelly), more than Scar's delightfully devilish traits, more than the young prince's desire to avenge his father's death and honor his legacy. It's even more than the artists' and animators' expressive characters, breathtaking vistas and beautifully realized animation, which continues to stand as some of Disney's finest. No, The Lion King's ascendancy doesn't come by way of any one element. It's co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff's painstaking blend of each of these things into a cohesive, colorful, dramatic and, above all, moving tour de force primed to appeal to children and adults of all ages. Simba is as sympathetic a fledgling hero as any, and his arc is -- thanks to a smattering of Timon and Pumbaa, a love interest, and a wise old sage (Robert Guillaume) -- both entertaining and weighty. Mufasa's passing is felt long after the king has given up the ghost as well, and Scar's machinations earn him a seat at the table with the best of Disney villains. And there's just enough comic relief to prevent the darkness from oppressing the characters' spirits altogether. Make no mistake, The Lion King is a joy to watch. Still, Disney's thirty-second animated feature isn't without its nicks and scars. (Academy Awards and Golden Globes notwithstanding.) Kids may get a kick out of bantery buds Timon and Pumbaa, but let's take a critical step back: the film's second act lags. There are laughs to be had, friendships to be forged, tunes to be sung, visions to be had and turmoil to be explored. I know, I know. But all of these moments would be even more meaningful if they occurred right under Scar's nose; if Simba had to deal with the shame of his father's death while witnessing his uncle's rise to the throne firsthand. Shakespeare was wise to leave Hamlet's between-acts exile largely to the imagination and even wiser to stage it after the good Prince of Denmark had pieced together the particulars of his father's demise. In traipsing off into the wastelands, the filmmakers not only shuffle Simba out of the drama, they end up telegraphing the occasional punch and, to an admittedly small extent, deprive the tale of a little extra nuance and mystery. Likewise, try to imagine The Lion King as it would be if it had followed in Bambi's soft-spoken footsteps. There are times when Simba's feelings are wrapped in neat little packages, presumably for any kids in the audience. But the animation is so effective, the animals so visually emotive and thoughtful, that some of the chit-chat and silver-platter psychoanalysis is... well, a wee bit redundant. (Commence forum tar and feathering.) Does any of it matter? Not particularly. The Lion King is a gorgeous and gripping animated classic that deserves the attention, accolades and long life it's earned. As I said, not all Disney feature animation is created equal, and The Lion King sets itself apart. With a stirring story, terrific voice casting and performances, extraordinary visuals and rousing music, it's also here to stay. If you've never roamed the plains with Mufasa, trembled at the charge of a stampeding wildebeest herd, shivered as Scar slithers past Simba, or cheered as the young prince returns home to dethrone his devious uncle, be sure to pick up a copy and share the experience with your family, be it 2D or 3D. Hoist up the Blu-ray edition of The Lion King, dear readers. Hoist it up high. Once again, Disney has treated one of its animated classics like royalty and the results are nothing short of spectacular. The 4-disc 3D edition boasts a breathtaking 3D presentation, a pair of gorgeous video transfers, a powerful, earth-shaking DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track and a host of special features (including a number of new extras produced specifically for this Diamond Edition release). Add The Lion King 3D to your collection post haste. Cast Notes: Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba [voice]), Niketa Calame (Young Nala [voice]), Jim Cummings (Ed [voice]), James Earl Jones (Mufasa [voice]), Nathan Lane (Timon [voice]), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa [voice]), Jeremy Irons (Scar [voice]), Robert Guillaume (Rafiki [voice]), Rowan Atkinson (Zazu [voice]), Moira Kelly (Adult Nala [voice]), Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi [voice]), Zoe Leader (Sarafina - Nala's Mother [voice]), Cheech Marin (Banzai [voice]), Madge Sinclair (Sarabi [voice]), Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Young Simba [voice]). IMDb Rating (12/19/11): 8.3/10 from 208,590 users Top 250: #111
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