Posted: 10/04/2011

The Lion King

by Amber Burnham

Available Now on Disney Two Disc Blu-ray and DVD combo pack

The Lion King is one of the most beautiful stories Disney has ever created. With strong animation, songs, writing, and acting it continues to hold up through the decades. Available for the first time since 2004, the transfer to Blu-ray gives this movie the chance to shine once again. The film is presented in 1080p High Definition and the audio tracks are presented in 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio with Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix Language Tracks. Now you can enjoy this movie the only way it should be, with beautifully clear animation and sound to match.

The Lion King is a story of a lion cub, Simba, who embarks on a coming-of-age journey. He must find his place in a world where he is destined to become the king but finds himself thrust into the life of an outcast instead. Along the way he makes friends with some interesting characters and ultimately finds the true meaning of courage. To accompany this story, there are beautiful award winning songs written by Tim Rice and Elton John and original music by Hans Zimmer. This is a great release to introduce a child to the wonder of The Lion King for the first time, or even fall in love with it all over again as an adult.

The feature “Pride of the Lion King” available on the Blu-ray disc only, is a look back on the making of The Lion King by the people who made the movie come to life. The original animators, producers, directors, and voice actors, such as Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, discuss the processes and emotions that went into making the most successful hand-drawn animated movie to date. After watching this feature you will feel so much more love for The Lion King. Listening to how the movie came to be and all the various people who put so much of their life into it, will give you a sense of appreciation for every aspect of the movie, both in front and behind the camera. “Pride of the Lion King” also explores how the hit Broadway show came to be as well as why is has been so successful. The costumes and puppetry work is artful, inventive, and breathtaking to see. While watching the footage from Broadway show you will be blown away at how the director took this beautiful animated story and created a stage play with a life and beauty all its own.

The rest of the extras included on the Blu-ray are just as extensive. You can choose to watch the movie with the sing along mode or Disney Second Screen. There are four never-before-seen deleted and alternate scenes and songs: “The Morning Report: Extended Scene”, “Zazu Flatters Mufasa”, “King of The Wild”, “Scar Wants Nala as His Queen”, Simba and Nala Reunited”, and “Zazu Flatters Scar”. Another featurette, “The Lion King: A Memoir—Don Hahn” and the blooper reel which is accompanied by new animation that was created to match the original audio recordings. You will receive just as much enjoyment from the special features as you do from the movie.

Amber Burnham has a BA in Early Childhood Education from Kendall College. She is also a regular panelist on Kichicast, the all-girl, Chicago-based podcast devoted to anime, manga, and Japanese culture. You can listen to Kichicast at kichigi.com.

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