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Tuesday, November 04, 2008

My Top Disney Films #10

#10 The Lion King
"Let me get this straight. You know her. She knows you. But she wants to eat him. And everybody's okay with this? [jumps up suddenly] Did I miss something?"

The Pride Lands are ruled by King Mufasa (Jones), who has a son Simba (Thomas) to carry on his legacy. Mufasa, and his assistant Zazu (Atkinson), teach Simba about becoming king...with hands-on pouncing lessons. While things seem to be going well for the royal family, darkness lurks around the corner in the form of Mufasa's brother Scar (Irons). With a little help from Scar (and a herd of wildebeest), Mufasa is killed and Simba is on the run.

After running away, Simba is rescued by an unlikely pair: smelly but sensitive warthog Pumbaa (Sabella), and the "brains of the outfit" meercat Timon (Lane) who teach Simba (Broderick) "hakuna matata: it means no worries" (see below).

Don't you sing with all your friends?

They are happily living in the present, until Simba's past catches up with him and literally knocks some sense into his head.

Reason I chose this film:
There is so much to talk about in this film. The songs are strong and memorable (Elton John and Tim Rice), you relate to the characters, there is a good balance between serious storytelling and humor. Timon and Pumbaa steal the show...hands down, and are voiced by two talented actors. You can't help but react to the death of Mufasa and other important events, and the film takes you through a series of emotions. It is a good film, not my favorite, but still good.

The Lion King (1994) 89 minutes
Director: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Starring: Matthew Broderick as Adult Simba
Jonathan Taylor Thomas as Young Simba
James Earl Jones as King Mufasa
Jeremy Irons as Scar
Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
Nathan Lane as Timon
Robert Guillaume as Rafiki
Rowan Atkinson as Zazu
Moira Kelly as Nala
Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi
Cheech Marin as Banzai
Jim Cummings as Ed

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