THE LION KING “Real 3D” [1994 / 2011] [Diamond Edition] [3D Blu-ray + 2D Blu-ray + Digital Copy] [UK Release] The Greatest Adventure Of All Time! ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” is Disney’s 32nd Animated Classic!
The wait is over! For the first time ever, experience the majesty of Disney’s epic animated masterpiece as it roars off the screen and into your living room on Blu-ray “Real 3D” and 2D Blu-ray! With a spectacular digital 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 breath-taking animation, unforgettable Academy Award® winning music with the 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 “Real 3D” — Magic In A New Dimension!
FILM FACT No.1: Awards and Nominations: 1994 Annie Awards: Win: Best Animated Film for Walt Disney Pictures. Win: Best Individual Achievement for Story Contribution in the Field of Animation for Brenda Chapman (head of story). Win: Best Achievement for Voice Acting for Jeremy Irons. Nominated: Best Individual Achievement for Artistic Excellence in the Field of Animation for Andy Gaskill (Art Director). Nominated: Best Individual Achievement for Artistic Excellence in the Field of Animation for Mark Henn (Supervising Animator for young Simba). Nominated: Best Individual Achievement for Artistic Excellence in the Field of Animation for Scott F. Johnston (Artistic Supervisor in Computer Graphics). 1995 Academy Awards®: Win: Best Music for an Original Song for Sir Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” Win: Best Music for an Original Score for Hans Zimmer. Nominated: Best Music for an Original Song for Sir Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song “Circle of Life.” Nominated: Best Music for an Original Song for Sir Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song “Hakuna Matata.” 1995 Golden Globes: Win: Best Original Score in a Motion Picture for Hans Zimmer. Win: Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Sir Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.” Win: Best Motion Picture for a Comedy or Musical. Nominated: Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for Sir Elton John (music) and Tim Rice (lyrics) for the song “The Circle of Life.” 1995 BAFTA Awards: Nominated: Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music for Hans Zimmer. Nominated: BAFTA Film Award: Best Sound for David Hudson, Doc Kane, Mel Metcalfe and Terry Porter. 1995 Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films: Nominated: Best Fantasy Film. Nominated: Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Jonathan Taylor Thomas.
FILM FACT No.2: When the animated film was first released in 1994, it numbered 28 versions overall in as many languages and dialects worldwide, including a special Zulu version made specifically for the animated film in South Africa, where a Disney USA team went to find the Zulu voice- actors. This is not just the only Zulu dubbing ever made by Disney, but also the only one made in any African language, other than Arabic. ‘THE LIOAN KING’ marks also the first time a special dubbing is released in honour of a Disney movie background, but not the last: in 2016 the movie ‘Moana’ received a special Tahitian-language version, followed in 2017 by a MÄÂÂori version, and in 2018 by a Hawaiian version; in 2019 the animated film ‘Frozen 2’ was dubbed into Northern Sami, even though the first animated film was not.
Voice Cast: Rowan Atkinson (Zazu), Matthew Broderick (Simba), Niketa Calame-Harris (Young Nala), Jim Cummings (Ed), Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi), Robert Guillaume (Rafiki), Jeremy Irons (Scar), James Earl Jones (Mufasa), Moira Kelly (Nala), Nathan Lane (Timon), Zoe Leader (Sarafina), Cheech Marin (Banzai), Ernie Sabella (Pumbaa), Madge Sinclair (Sarabi), Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Young Simba), Frank Welker (Lion Roars), Cathy Cavadini (voice), Judi M. Durand (voice), Daamen J. Krall (voice), David McCharen (voice), Mary Linda Phillips (voice), Phil Proctor (Hyenas), David Randolph (voice), Jack Angel (Hyenas) (uncredited), Jeff Bennett (Zazu singing voice) (uncredited), Bob Bergen (Hyenas) (uncredited), Senka Bulic (Sarabi) (uncredited), Rodger Bumpass (Hyenas) (uncredited), Sally Dworsky (Nala singing voice) (uncredited), Paul Eiding (Hyenas) (uncredited), Bill Farmer (Hyenas) (uncredited), Eddie Korbich (Hyenas) (uncredited), Mickie McGowan (Hippos) (uncredited), Jan Rabson (Hyenas) (uncredited), Evan Saucedo (Young Simba singing voice) (uncredited), Brian Tochi (Fighting Hyena) (uncredited), Jason Weaver (Young Simba singing voice) (uncredited), Joseph Williams (Simba singing voice) (uncredited) and Laura Williams (Young Nala singing voice) (uncredited)
Directors: Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers
Producers: Alice Dewey Goldstone, Don Hahn, Sarah McArthur and Thomas Schumacher
Screenplay: Irene Mecchi (screenplay), Jonathan Roberts (screenplay), Linda Woolverton (screenplay), Andy Gaskill (story), Barry Johnson (story), Burny Mattinson (story), Chris Sanders (story), Ed Gombert (story), Francis Glebas (story), Gary Trousdale (story), Jim Capobianco (story), Joe Ranft (story), Jorgen Klubien (story), Kevin Harkey (story), Larry Leker (story), Lorna Cook (story), Mark Kausler (story),Rick Maki (story), Thom Enriquez (story), Tom Sito (story), Bob Tzudiker (additional story material), Christopher Vogler (additional story material), George Scribner (additional story material), J.T. Allen (additional story material), Jenny Tripp (additional story material), Kirk Wise (additional story material), Miguel Tejada-Flores (additional story material), Noni White (additional story material) and Brenda Chapman (story supervisor)
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Image Resolution: 1080p (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1
Audio: English: 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio
Spanish: 5.1 DTS Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix
Português: 5.1 Disney Dolby Digital Surround Mixture
Dutch: 5.1 DTS Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix
Zulu: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
English: 2.0 Dolby Digital Stereo Audio
Subtitles: English, English SDH, Spanish, Português and Dutch
Running Time: 88 minutes
Number of discs: 3
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Andrew’s 3D Blu-ray Review: ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” [1994] is the 32nd Walt Disney animated feature film, and the fourth animated film produced during a period known as the Disney Renaissance and gets an ultimate “Real 3D” makeover and with this re-release. The animated film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, produced by Don Hahn, and has a screenplay credited to Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton and was influenced by the biblical tales of Moses, and the William Shakespeare play Hamlet and is a scrumptiously delightful animated film going “Real 3D” experience.
In June 1994, the Walt Disney organisation unveiled what would become one of its most beloved animated titles, ‘THE LION KING’ and the original 2D animated film was an early summer hit that year and went on to gross more than $950 million worldwide since its release. The biggest roar at the summer box office may well come from Buena Vista's magnificent animated feature ‘THE LION KING.’ It is graced with heart, humour and boundless energy; this Walt Disney presentation should cut a huge swathe through all age groups. Young children and adults alike warmed to its nourishing wise storyline and especially with a definite blockbuster that has gone onto a future classic and of course ‘THE LION KING’ is a totally scrumptiously delightful movie going experience.
Part of the appeal could be the music: infusing African rhythms and vocals with the lyrics of Sir Elton John and Tim Rice, so making ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” feature some of the most memorable and enjoyable music in any Disney animated film. The opening strains of “The Circle of Life” featuring a lone Zulu voice are immediately recognisable in the age of pop culture generation, but one shouldn’t forget the sheer power of this song and the images that accompany it and shows that this is Disney trying something a little different, yet somehow retaining the magic that makes the studio’s films appeal so much to all age groups. This may be a romanticised view of Africa or, more specifically, the Serengeti in Tanzania and Kenya, yet it is nigh on impossible not to be drawn in by the beauty of the music and animation.
Yes, the animation is truly stunning, just look at the storks flying over the waterfall in the first song, or the gentle sway of the grass as Simba paces around, torn between past and present. The scene in which he returns to Pride Rock, a tiny figure running across a desert in a wide angle shot combined with the movement of his legs shown up close, gets much of its power simply from the evocative framing of the shot. Every cell bursts with life and beauty, the landscapes crammed with detail and the characters distinct and dramatic in their own ways. Yet the vivid colours of “Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and the haunting, horror inspired imagery of fascism in “Be Prepared” display a variety and experimentation that means ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” is also one of the most visually interesting films the House of Mouse has produced, as well as one of the most beautiful.
However all the music and animation, as brilliant as they are all contribute to the one aspect of this ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” animated film that makes it so popular: the story of course. People of all ages are so happy to return to it again and again because of the warmth of the characters, an investment in a gripping and universal story, and because one can experience a whole spectrum of emotions all over the course of an hour and half. There’s no animated film quite like it. Revisiting ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” seventeen years after its original release, it is easy to see why it captured the imagination of audiences at the time. It is also a film with a deeply disturbing ideology where rule by birth right and might is presented as acceptable within the film’s odd Zen/Darwinist Circle of Life philosophy.
From the stealthy array of talent selected to perform the voices, including such deep-tone stalwarts as James Earl Jones and Shakespearean actor Jeremy Irons, one almost expects a tragedy in the Shakespearean tradition. And, in certain aspects, ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” does fit this bill. Instead of the house of Hanover or Stuart, the drama centres on the reign of the mighty lion Mufasa [James Earl Jones], the king of a perfectly balanced African kingdom of animals who thrive in stunning abundance. A beneficent monarch, Mufasa, raises his young male cub, Simba [Jonathan Taylor Thomas], then Matthew Broderick as an adult Simba, to know that “we are all connected in the great circle of life.” But, even in this teeming ecosystem, there is rancour; Mufasa's avaricious younger brother, the dark lion Scar [Jeremy Irons], plots to become King and orchestrates a bloody internecine intrigue, killing Mufasa and sending the young Simba into exile in the wilderness.
Essentially, ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” is a coming-of-age story as the young Simba grows and matures to a point where he is ready to reclaim his birth right and, more importantly, carry on the harmonious work of his father. While weighty in theme, and propelled by several remarkable moral lessons. The screenplay for ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” is by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton and bursts along at a spectacular dramatic gait, nourished with light humour, tending romance and frisky escapades. Directors Roger Allen and Rob Minkoff, respectful of both the story's epic grandeur and personal power, have fashioned a radiantly multidimensional film.
The crowning glories of ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” must be bestowed upon the legions of animators who contributed to its majestic, playful and glowing look. Composer Hans Zimmer's throbbing, percussive musical score also is a highlight, while the songs of Tim Rice and Sir Elton John not only propel the plot but add cheerful zest to the splendid terrain of ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” and in my eyes this Disney's animated film is their greatest gem, and is also their most wonderful cinematic achievement. It has everything in you are seeking in a “Real 3D” animated film, as it has the perfect balance of the circle of life genre and the running time just seems to feel it flies well under the 88 minutes.
THE LION KING MUSIC TRACK LIST
CIRCLE OF LIFE (1994) (Music by Elton John) (uncredited) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (uncredited) (Arranged and Produced by Hans Zimmer) [Performed by Carmen Twillie] [African Vocals Performed by Lebo M.] [Background Singer: Rodney Saulsberry] (uncredited) [Chorus: Maxi Anderson, Terry Bradford, Johnny Britt, Baby Cele, Lucky Cele, Rick Charles, Gugwana Dlamini, Kevin Dorsey, Wendy Fraser, Linda Gcwensa, Clydene Jackson, Matoab'sane Jali, Luyanda Jezile, Bob Joyce, Faith Kekana, Sphiwe Khanyile, Faca Khulu, Stella Khumalo, Skhumbuzo Kubheka, Thembi Kubheka, Ron Kunene, James Langa, Edie Lehmann Boddicker, Rick Logan, Tsidi Manye, Khanyo Maphumulo, Abner A. Mariri, Myrna Matthews, Batho Mhlongo, Vusi Mhlongo, Nonhlanhla Mkhize, Thembi Mtshali, Bheki Ndlovu, Nandi Ndlovu, Bongani Ngcobo, Nini Nkosi, Bobbi Page, Phindile, Rick Riso, Philile Seme, Alfie Silas, Happy Skhakhane, Kipizane Skweyiya, Sindisiwe Sokhela, Susie Stevens-Logan, Khuluiwe Sithole, Thandazile, Carmen Twillie, Sam Vamplew, Julia Waters, Luther N. Waters, Maxine Waters Willard, Oren Waters, John J. West, Yvonne Williams, Terry Young, Zolile Zulu]
NANTS’ INGONYAMA (1994) (uncredited) (Written by Lebo M. and Hans Zimmer) [Performed by Lebo M.]
I JUST CAN’T WAIT TO BE KING (1994) (Music by Elton John) (uncredited) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (uncredited) (Arranged and Produced by Mark Mancina) [Performed by Jason Weaver and Laura Williams with Rowan Atkinson]
THE MORNING REPORT (Music by Elton John) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (all uncredited) (Arranged and Produced by Mark Mancina) [Performed by Evan Saucedo and Jeff Bennett] (Special Edition only)
BE PREPARED (1994) (Music by Elton John) (uncredited) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (uncredited) (Arranged and Produced by Mark Mancina) [Performed by Jeremy Irons, with Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin, and Jim Cummings]
HAKUMA MATATA (1994) (Music by Elton John) (uncredited) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (uncredited) (Arranged and Produced by Mark Mancina and Jay Rifkin) [Performed by Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Jason Weaver and Joseph Williams] [Background Singer: Rodney Saulsberry] (uncredited)
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT (1994) (Music by Elton John) (uncredited) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (uncredited) (Arranged and Produced by Mark Mancina) [Performed by Nathan Lane, Ernie Sabella, Sally Dworsky, Joseph Williams and Kristle Edwards]
THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT (1961) (Written by Hugo Peretti, George David Weiss and Luigi Creatore) (Based on a song by Solomon Linda and Paul Campbell) [Sung by Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella] (uncredited)
IT’S A SMALL WORLD (1966) (Music and Lyrics by Robert B. Sherman and Richard M. Sherman) [Sung by Rowan Atkinson] (uncredited)
I’VE GOT A LOVELY BUNCH OF COCONUTS (1944) (Written by Fred Heatherton and joint pseudonym of Elton Box, Desmond Cox and Irwin Dash (uncredited) [Sung by Rowan Atkinson and Jeremy Irons] (uncredited)
HAWAIIAN WAR CHANT (Tahuwa-Huwai) (1936) (Written by Johnny Noble (1936) and Prince Leleiohoku) (1860) [Performed by Nathan Lane] (uncredited)
CAN YOU FEEL THE LOVE TONIGHT (End Title) (1994) (uncredited) (Music by Elton John) (Lyrics by Tim Rice) (Piano: Elton John) (Guitar: Davey Johnstone) (Drums: Chuck Sabo) (Bass: Phil Spalding) (Background vocals: Rick Astley, Gary Barlow, Kiki Dee, Robert Englund, Davey Johnstone, and the London Symphony Chorus) [Performed by Elton John]
NOBODY KNOWS THE TROUBLE I’VE SEEN (Traditional Spiritual) [Sung by Rowan Atkinson] (uncredited)
ELURING [Performed by Silvi Vrait]
ELURING (Circle of Life Estonian Version) [Performed by Silvi Vrait]
* * * * *
3D Blu-ray Image Quality – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment brings you this stunning ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” Blu-ray disc release in an awesome 1080p image presentation and also an equally impressive 1.78:1 aspect ratio that is framed perfectly. There is also brilliant sharpness throughout with every animated line solid and impressive, and the awesome colours are richly saturated and often mesmerising. Black levels, however, are impressively dark, and the many greens, reds, and oranges are rendered with pure clarity. As for the “Real 3D” effects, they are totally spectacular, and well suited perfectly if somewhat unexpectedly for the hand-drawn animation of the original film. It feels as if we could reach out and touch the birds flying across the screen, the gazelles galloping through the savannah, raindrops falling from the sky. We get some very good visual emotional impact when Simba and Scar battle for supremacy in a fight that now fills the screen with ferocity. There is certainly plenty of depth in the image, and when the camera goes high and we see vast expanses of land, the enormity of the landscapes can be truly impressive. So too, is the later scene when Simba is running through the wasted jungle brush which offers enormous pleasure especially watching it in stunning “Real 3D.” There is a terrific amount of multiple plane visual experience that definitely gives the “Real 3D! images some depth of field complexity. So all in all this is a brilliant effort on the part of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment, especially now being able to be viewed in stunning “Real 3D,” which is a mind blowing visual enjoyment, that really brings the out the best in this “Real 3D” Blu-ray disc release..
3D Blu-ray Audio Quality – Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment brings us with a 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio that is an outstanding and impressive from the first moment of the film until the last moment. Hans Zimmer’s score soars all around us constantly, and the orchestrations have been laid out to permit multiple channels to complement the singing of the principals. Dialogue has been masterfully recorded and while mostly residing in the centre channel occasionally finds itself in other channels for an effective directional experience. The ambient effects, from crickets chirping in the high grass to the thundering hooves of the wildebeests, have been expertly placed around the sound field of your speakers for the utmost aural intensity for your audio enjoyment. All the channels certainly are kept busy in the sound mix as well as with lots of deep bass in the mix. This definitely gets a five star rating from me.
* * * * *
2D Blu-ray Special Features and Extras:
Special Feature: Special Introduction by Producer Don Hahn [2011] [1080p] [1.78:1] [00:34] Here we get a nice personal introduction from producer Don Hahn, before the start of ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” animated film. Here Don Hahn explains that when they made the original animated film of ‘THE LION KING’ way back in 1994, they really wanted to do one thing and that was to transport you back to Africa, but this time in Disney “Real 3D,” and to give you this experience, as well to make you feel you were really there in Africa. Well now the original animated film ‘THE LION KING’ is now presented in the stunning Disney “Real 3D,” and Don Hahn really feels they have done just that, and so literally you can now step into the world of Simba and all the other animal characters and again make you feel you are actually there, and living the story with them all. So to do that, it is pretty easy, because all you have to do is grab a pair of 3D glasses, pop them on and enjoy ‘THE LION KING’ in Disney “Real 3D,” and is hoping you enjoy the experience.
Audio Commentary with Co-Directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff and Producer Don Hahn: Here we are introduced first by Don Hahn. Who informs us that he was the producer of ‘THE LION KING,’ next up is Rob Minkoff who was the director of ‘THE LION KING,’ finally to introduce himself is Roger Allers who also was the director of the animated film and very tongue in cheek they say, “We are here to perform the Top 40 hits here.” But of course instead they inform us that they are here to comment on the making of the animated film ‘THE LION KING,’ and talk in-depth about the genesis of the film and its evolution into the final version of ‘THE LION KING.’ They also share some of their experiences with you, right here in your living room. They inform us that the original project started actually as ‘The King of the Jungle’ and the original concept was to be a picture about Africa and lions, because they did not know initially what the story would be about, and of course it eventually evolved over time from there, and especially an original story was very unique for them, as they like to do stories based on fairy stories, or novels, or bits of literature, but ‘THE LION KING’ was totally unique in that respect, in that it completely arrived out of thin air, even though it was partially based on a bit of Hamlet, a little bit of the Old Testament Bible Stories. Originally the opening of the picture they were going to have a dialogue scene to introduce baby Simba and a blessing from Rafiki [Robert Guillaume]. But what impressed them the most was the four minute of music at the start of the film that Sir Elton John and Sir Tim Rice had produced a beautiful anthem for the animated film that really defined the spirit of the film, and the theme of the film. When we first meet Scar, they all praise the actor Jeremy Irons, but at the time of asking Jeremy Irons and Rowan Atkinson to do the animated film, they were originally very reluctant to lend their voices to the animated characters, and especially who they are in their acting career, and felt it would be a backward step in their acting career, because at that time doing voices for cartoon characters was felt to be a slightly down market thing to do, but of course nowadays to be asked to do voice overs, especially for the Walt Disney Studio is a great honour. Anyway they were persuaded to a test voice recording and at the same time they did a short animated sequence to show them how there characters would look and after viewing the test footage were 100% seduced by what they saw on the screen and were extremely eager to work with this landmark animated film. They mention that the voice of the young Simba was done by Jonathan Taylor Thomas, but when the young Simba sings, it voiced by Jason Weaver who portrayed Michael Jackson (aged 9 – 14) in ‘The Jacksons: An American Dream.’ When Rowan Atkinson character gets sat upon by the rhino, well when in the recording studio they asked Rowan 17 times to say different statements while under the rhino like “Have we met before” or “I’ll never tango again” again of course the recording engineers fell about laughing. When Jeremy Irons as Scar talks and sings the song to the three hyenas, they tell us they did very long rehearsal sessions especially singing for the song and in the end it took over 8 hours to do and unfortunately at the end of the recording session Jeremy had no voice left. But as we go through the rest of the animated film, all three talk a lot about the technical side of the film, which some of it was too technical for my understanding, especially how each scene was designed and photographed, especially what they wanted to achieve from the sketches to the finished article and they mention that with all their hard work it turned out and that is what they call the magic of animation and that about sums up in giving us the circle of life. All of these three men are very informative and accessible so this is a very easy audio commentary track to listen to. But as the end credits come to an end, they thank us for letting us into our living room and that the popcorn was great and they hope you enjoyed the animated film ‘THE LION KING.’
Special Feature: THE LION KING: Bloopers and Outtakes [2011] [1080p] [1.78:1] [3:44] Here we get to view twenty individual Bloopers and Outtakes, that includes clips of Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa, Scar and the rest of the Pride with the usual flub lines, pulled hamstring and miss their marks in this run of the mill animated gag reel. After PIXAR started doing it, now Disney seems to be doing these manufactured bloopers which don’t work as well as they did for PIXAR.
Special Feature: BACKSTAGE DISNEY: DIAMOND EDITION: Here we get to view three individual special features, and they are as follows:
PRIDE OF ‘THE LION KING’ [2011] [1080i] [1.78:1 / 1.37:1] [38:06] This is a sort of remembrance of the project by the film’s two directors, its producer, actors Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, lyricist Tim Rice, composer Hans Zimmer, plus various other Disney mainstays both past and present, and director Julie Taymor who conceived and mounted the show on Broadway about both the screen and stage versions of ‘THE LION KING.’ We get to view some wonderful rare colourful sketches, but very interesting is that we get to see some rare 1.37:1 aspect ratio video clips of the younger looking people involved with this animated film. In a small viewing theatre we get a gathering of all the original animators who worked on ‘THE LION KING.’ We get to view some wonderful clips from the Broadway version of the ‘THE LION KING,’ which has had worldwide box office receipts of over $4 Billion to date and ‘THE LION KING’ is one of the most successful productions in theatre history. We are also informed that ‘THE LION KING’ animated film, remains the highest grossing hand-drawn animated film of all time. Contributors include: Thomas Schumacher [Executive Producer, Film Producer and President of Disney Theatrical Group], Jeffrey Katzenberg [Former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios], Peter Schneider [Former President of Walt Disney Feature Animation], Rob Minkoff [Co-Director], Roger Allers [Co-Director], Don Hahn [Producer], Hans Zimmer [Original Score Composer], Matthew Broderick [Voice of Adult “Simba”], Nathan Lane [Voice of “Timon”], Michael Eisner [Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company], Tim Rice [Lyricist], Julie Taymor [Director of the Stage Musical “THE LION KING”], Andreas Deja [Supervising Animator for “Scar”], Tony Bancroft [Supervising Animator for “Pumbaa], Ruben Aquino [Supervising Animator for “Adult Simba”], Tony Fucile [Supervising Animator for “Mufasa”], Michael Surrey [Supervising Animator for “Timon”], James Baxter [Supervising Animator for “Rafiki] and Ellen Woobury [Supervising Animator for “Zazu”].
THE LION KING: A Memoir: Don Hahn [2011] [1080i / 1080p] [1.78:1] [19:40] Here we take a look at this excellent recent documentary with Don Hahn, where we take a look back at Don Hahn, circa 1994, and charts the development, creation and the final release of ‘THE LION KING.’ Don Hahn also gives us retrospective thoughts on the animated film's development, production and lasting impact with the public worldwide. We also get to hear that the idea for the film came from Jeffrey Katzenberg [Former Chairman of Walt Disney Studios], Peter Schneider [Former President of Walt Disney Feature Animation] and Roy Disney [Former Senior Executive for The Walt Disney Company]. We also get to view some rare 1.37:1 aspect ratio video archive footage of lots of people involved with the animated film, especially with baby lion cub. Other people involved with the animated film were Linda Woolverton [Screenplay], George Scribner [Artist Director] and Roger Allers [Co-Director]. We also get to see some rare 1.37:1 aspect ratio video archive footage of the people from the Walt Disney Studio on a scouting trip to Africa, as well as some nice footage of Sir Tim Rice [Lyricist] and Sir Elton John [Composer] in the recording studio. But one of the most hilarious scenes was with Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella doing their recording session and the crew could not stop laughing. At one critical point as the animated film was being worked on, they had a massive earthquake and caused many logistic problems, but eventually they got resolved. But one bright spark out of this documentary was to see highlights of ‘THE LION KING’ Premiere at the EL CAPATAN theatre in Holly wood on June 1994. But what was also gratifying to hear was that everyone enjoyed working on the animated film despite the long hours, but also finds working at the Walt Disney Studio did not feel it was work, instead the atmosphere was a very playful environment and they had no idea one could have so much fun and was totally magic. But most of all this retrospective look at the coming together of important industry artists.
Five Deleted and Alternate Scenes [2011] [1080p] [1.78:1] [15:33] Here we get introductions by Co-Directors Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers and explain why Deleted Scenes and Alternate Scenes were rejected and didn’t quite make it into the animated film ‘THE LION KING,’ we get to view some actual colour animated scenes, lots of rough black-and-white drawings with voice audio tracks. So what you get too actually view is the following: Zazu Flatter Mufasa; “King Of The Wild;” Scar Wants Nala As His Queen; Simba and Nala Reunited and Zazu Flatters Scar. As usual you can either watch each one separately or Play All.
Special Feature: Music & More: Here you get to view two individual special features and they are as follows:
Play Movie with Sing-A-Long Mode: Here you get to view the whole film with subtitles at the bottom of the screen, so you can do a Sing-A-Long with the characters in the animated film in the usual karaoke style. You can also view the film with other subtitles in the following languages: Spanish, Português, Dutch and English.
The Morning Report: Extended Scene [2011] [1080p] [1.78:1] [2:30] When ‘THE LION KING’ was adapted for the musical stage show, several new songs were specially written. “The Morning Report” is one of the new songs. For the DVD Platinum release of ‘THE LION KING,’ it was decided to have the original team of artists and filmmakers create an all-new animation for this sequence and insert it seamlessly into the animated film. They are pleased to be able to present that newly animated song in this special feature extra, and it looks totally spectacular, and what a shame it was not allowed to be inserted into the animated film ‘THE LION KING.’
Special Feature: INTERACTIVE ART GALLERY: Here we get a selection of art galleries, which consist of CHARACTER DESIGN; VISUAL DEVELOPMENT; STORYBOARDS and LAYOUTS AND BACKGROUNDS. When you choose a specific art gallery subject from the menu displayed, and when you view each Art Gallery, you use the arrow keys on your remote control, where you use them to either skip back or skip forward to view each image. Good luck, as I didn’t bother to view these items because of previous attempts with other Interactive Art Galleries on other Blu-ray discs, because once you are in, there is no EXIT facility, whereas instead you have to stop the disc and reload the Blu-ray disc again.
Special Feature: Disney’s Virtual Vault: With this feature, you require a Broadband Internet Connection, if it is not then your Blu-ray Player will be unable to connect to the Disney BD-Live Network. Please ensure that your Blu-ray Player is connected to a Broadband Internet Connection that is active and working. If you want to know more information, then visit the Disney BD Live web site.
Special Feature: Discover Blu-ray 3D with Timon and Pumbaa [2012] [1080p] [1.78:1] [4:23] Here we take a look at the Blu-ray 3D Technology with the cartoon characters Timon and Pumbaa from 'THE LION KING' as your guides to this video promotion. It shows what you need to watch 3D Blu-ray and gives a preview of upcoming 3D Blu-ray titles. The animated promo is all about 3D Blu-ray discs, sadly the item is only in 2D.
SNEAK PEEKS: CARS 2 [3D + 2D] [2011] [1080p] [2.35:1] [1:29], LADY AND THE TRAMP [Diamond Edition] [2D] [2010] [1080p] [2.35:1] [1:15] and DISNEY NATURE: African Cats [2D] [2010] [1080p] [1.78:1] [1:15].
PLUS: DisneyFile Digital Copy is the Disney-branded Digital Copy experience, which enables buyers of DVD and Blu-ray to receive the standard definition digital version of the movie in their choice of iTunes or Windows Media format. The DisneyFile Digital Copy is located on a stand-alone disc and is Mac and PC compatible. The DisneyFile Digital Copy is a fast and easy way to enjoy your favourite Disney movies, anytime, anywhere on your PC, Mac, or compatible portable device. Disney fans can watch their DVD in the living room and enhance their mobile lifestyle by bringing a DisneyFile Digital Copy of their movies on the go!
BONUS: Exclusive with this UK 3D Blu-ray Release, we have a specially designed 3D Slip Cover that is totally spectacular and is well worth the purchase.
Finally, ‘THE LION KING’ “Real 3D” animated film gets 5 star rating from me, because it is, without doubt, one of the finest animations ever produced and it’s brilliant to watch up on the big screen again, especially in the stunning “Real 3D” presentation, the upgrade to “Real 3D” was well worth the wait and visually, the passing of time really makes you appreciate the animation all the more. The famous wildebeest stampede may no longer stun with its technical accomplishment, but nor does it look dated and it still sucks you right into the action. By not slavishly attempting to replicate reality, the artists behind the film have instead created something that lasts. Something layered with beauty and depth. This time around we've got a whole extra dimension in glorious stunning animated film. ‘THE LION KING’ 3D remains a hugely enjoyable, exciting and compelling animation for the whole family. Even youngsters brought up on the CGI delights of the ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Shrek’ franchises will find this animated film extremely satisfying thanks to a very engaging, emotional rollercoaster of a story and a number of addictive song-and-dance numbers that will stay lodged within your head for weeks after viewing this stunning “Real 3D” Blu-ray disc. Very Highly Recommended!
Andrew C. Miller – Your Ultimate No.1 Film Aficionado
Le Cinema Paradiso
United Kingdom
