THE LION KING: THE CIRCLE CONTINUES

Believe it or not it’s been 23 years since we first heard the story of Simba, the lion cub who would be king one day. With each passing year as Disney rolls out their classic films with new editions, cleaning them up the best ways possible and offering them to a new generation who’ve heard of these movies but never seen them I am surprised at how much time has passed.

But more amazing than that is that with the passage of time these movies remain timeless. They never grow old. They never cease to amaze not just children being exposed to them for the first time but to me, someone who’ll be 60 in two months. Classic Disney movies, especially the animated features, have always held a special place in my heart and make me 5 years old again.

THE LION KING: THE CIRCLE OF LIFE EDITION gives fans of the movie a new take on the film with new extras and a clear vision of the film on blu-ray. If you’ve never seen the film the story revolves around Simba, a young lion cub newly born to mother Sarabi and father Musafa, the king of Pride Rock. Held for all to see by shaman/mandrill Rafiki, he is welcomed into the world by all. With the exception of his uncle Scar.

Scar still holds a grudge against Musafa, the lion who gave him the mar on his face that brought about his name. Still feeling he should be kind this newest member of the family adds one more block to hi taking the throne. With a little maneuvering and a few lies he places Simba in jeopardy and when Musafa comes to rescue his son SPOILER ALERT he kills him, blaming Simba. He suggest Simba leave and never return.

Fortunately Simba comes across an odd couple, Timon the meerkat and Pumba the warthog. These two rescue him in the desert and soon the three are best friends. Simba grows up with these two, never looking back at his past. But it will eventually catch up to him.

At the same time Scar has taken over as king surrounding himself with the dreaded hyenas as his guards. With Pride Rock in ruins and the subjects under Scar hoping for help, will Simba return to reclaim the throne? Will he abandon the lifestyle he’s chosen?

Like all classic Disney animated films the movie is filled with so much for the eye to see. More so than prior films this one pulls out the color palette and lets it explode on the screen. It also features songs throughout that have become favorites for many including “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”, “Hakuna Matata” and “Circle of Life” courtesy of Elton John. A word of warning to the more sensitive that also takes its cue from classic Disney films, there is some amount of violence on hand as well as scenes involving death. But that’s what the concept of circle of life is about.

The movie is made more in the vein of classic Disney animated features and less the current style of computer animation. While I enjoy the new computer generated films having grown up with this style it remains my favorite. The differences in generations it appears. But kids of all ages will still love this film.

What makes this edition different? The extras and there are plenty of them. They include but are not limited to:

-Audio Commentary by producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
-Visualizing a Villain – Against a backdrop of live dancers and the animated “Be Prepared” sequence, artist David Garibaldi paints a masterpiece of evil.
-The Recording Sessions – Watch rare footage of the actors recording their roles, matched with the final animation. Intro by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff.
-Nathan and Matthew: The Extended Lion King Conversation – Nathan Lane (Timon) and Matthew Broderick (Adult Simba) offer candid and hilarious insights into their Lion King experiences.
-Inside the Story Room – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff present archival footage of five original story pitches.
-Circle of Life – See how color creates emotion and meaning in the film’s iconic opening.
-Simba & Nala – See how elements proposed in story meetings evolve into what appears onscreen.
-Simba Takes Nala Out to Play – …And, sometimes what seems funny in story meetings never makes it into the film!
-Hakuna Matata – Co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff sing, act and dance their hearts out as they pitch the “Hakuna Matata” sequence.
-Rafiki and Reflecting Pool – Co-directors Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff pitch a sequence that became the emotional heart of The Lion King to Producer Don Hahn.
-Music & More – Sing along to your favorite songs from the movie: “Circle of Life,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King,” “Be Prepared,” “Hakuna Matata,” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight.”
-Galleries: Visual Development – Explore a gallery of striking artwork that inspired the movie’s look and feel; Character Design – Trace the development of the film’s unforgettable characters through early concept art drawings; Storyboards – Examine storyboards created in the development of “The Lion King.”; Layouts – Feast your eyes on layouts created in the development of “The Lion King.”; Backgrounds & Layouts – Journey through a gallery of landscape paintings that shaped the world of “The Lion King.”

This new edition comes with both regular and blu-ray copies of the movie as well as the code for a digital version for those with things like Vudu. In other words this is the most complete edition of the film you will find.

There is no way you can go wrong with a classic Disney animated film. It brings out the child in the adult and entertains children at the same time, something rare in most films these days. The story will offer lessons to be discussed with children as well, another thing that those movies always allowed for. In the end you will find yourself transported to the African plain, the life of the pride and singing along with the songs you remember. What more could you ask for?

Click here to order.