Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful world of ads
Review: Sure, the king of beasts knows every inch of the Serengeti, but let's see that sucker try to navigate this DVD. For the long-awaited DVD debut of "The Lion King," Disney has created one of the format's most byzantine navigation schemes to date. Seven-year-olds might sense some sort of internal logic here, but most parents will be stumped and peeved. Breathe, close your eyes and try very hard not to throw the remote control. It doesn't help that the feature-film disc opens with eight "sneak previews" and a live-action commercial for Disney World. What should be an event experience is cheapened before it begins: "The Lion King" -- a crown jewel of modern Disney animation -- unspools like any straight-to-video kiddie show. It's a shame, because otherwise, "The Lion King" gets the royal treatment. Restored and remastered, "The Lion King" looks and sounds spectacular. Colors can be wildly saturated without loss in definition -- as in baby Simba's Busby Berkeley-inspired "I Just Can't Wait to Be King" -- or subtle and true to life. The audio defaults to the theatrical surround mix, but anyone with decent gear should switch immediately to the so-called Enhanced Home Theatre Mix (both are Dolby Digital 5.1). "It will test your home system set-up," vows the proud rerecording engineer Terry Porter, who gets to explain his work in an unusual but quite welcome DVD extra. (It's on disc 2; dig deep to find it). Most viewers will first view the new version of the film, which has an added song, by Elton John and Tim Rice, that's explained in a making-of featurette. Rice describes the music-hall-like "Morning Report" as "a lot of bad animal puns." The song, sung by Zazu, runs less than 90 seconds and comes early in the film. It's fun, but you'll probably prefer the original pacing. Viewers not interested in chasing around the DVD set to get the lowdown on the film -- there's a swarm of quick-cut Disney docus -- will do just fine with the commentary by producer Don Hahn and directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff. It's recycled from the laserdisc but not the least bit dated. One of the best extras has old footage of Elton John at the piano, tentatively unveiling "The Circle of Life" for the Disney team. Must to avoid: An unfortunate music video has the current stars of the Disney Channel romping through "Circle of Life."
Rating: 
Summary: Don't miss this DVD!
Review: I was from the original generation of kids who fell in love with "The Lion King" and I was fortunate enough to see it three times during its original theatrical run. I'm considerably older than I was in 1994, but I still love the film as much as I did back then. "The Lion King" has timeless elements that appeal to all age groups, and everyone from preschoolers to grandparents can find something to enjoy. Despite the proliferation of CGI, "The Lion King" holds up as a perfect example of how traditional animation can look just as beautiful. The cleaned up "Special Edition" does not dissapoint. However, I found it somewhat misleading that the DVD case said that the "Original Theatrical Release" version of the film was included. It is not; it's only the cleaned-up IMAX print sans "Morning Report." (Is Disney starting to follow in George Lucas' footsteps?) But, hakuna matata! After a few viewings I was won over by the new version: you can't go wrong with enriched colors and a beautiful home theater sound mix! The only worthwhile extra on the first disc is the audio commentary, which will please any diehard fan. The rest is nothing more than the Disney Channel bragging about itself. A dull music video showcases the singing "talents" of the channel's teen "stars" in a mediocre version of "Circle of Life." It even tacks on a pointless behind-the-scenes feature on the making of the video. The second disc, however, is wonderful! It includes interviews, character designs, and many other things that I'll leave you to discover on your own. What's missing is the June 1994 "making of" TV special (hosted by Robert Guillame) in its entirety; only certain parts were used and were scattered throughout the various sections on the second disc. Bottom line: "The Lion King" is a masterpiece that should NOT be left out of your DVD collection. A+
Rating:
Summary: THE ROAR OF EXCELLENCE ON DVD - DISNEY DOES SIMBA PROUD!
Review: "The Lion King" is basically Shakespeare's Hamlet for children. When a young lion's father is murdered by his uncle, the rightful heir to the throne must decide if he is equal to the task of ruling. Brilliantly realized, visually stunning and epic in its scope and entertainment value - this is truly Disney animation at its zenith.
TRANSFER: The good folks at Disney can be proud of their efforts on this 2 disc special edition. The picture - digitally restored and remastered, is something to behold. Colors are more vibrant and saturated. Black and contrast levels are stunning. There are no blemishes, artifacts, aliasing or other digital anomolies to detract from a visual presentation that is worthy of the lion's share. The audio is 5.1 Dolby digital and aggressive in its bass, really giving your surround sound a work out.
EXTRAS: Lots! There are two versions of "The Lion King" - the original and another featuring a new song - "Morning Report". The new song is enjoyable but it neither adds or detracts from the impact of the film - it's just there. There's a featurette on the making of the film, several music videos, some games and the theatrical trailer.
BOTTOM LINE: AN ABSOLUTE MUST!
Rating:
Summary: the best movie of all time
Review: The Morning Report is the new song in this wonderful musical full of laughter nad love. It is the first of the three magnificent films. I used to love this movie as a little kid, and, now growing up, it still isn't a bad movie.
Rating: 
Summary: Why is it a "masterpiece"?
Review: OK, maybe Disney copied "Kimba, the White Lion", but so what? I still believe that "Lion King" is much better..."Kimba" doesn't even come close to this masterpiece! You can't even compare them...seriously. Let's not forget that the original was Japanese and some people HATE anime and cant stand watching those big eyed characters jumping around everywhere! I honestly love Japanese cartoons and I hated Kimba to death, it was just so stupid and boring and the animation was crap ( i know that it was much older). I never liked Kimba. When i saw it the first time before i even knew about the whole "Disney stole our ideas" thing i thought it was a very dumb show and when someone told me that Disney was accused of stealing some other company's idea i got a DVD of Kimba and i thought the same thing. I do believe that Disney copied Kimba since there are some scenes in the movie that are exactly the same (character etc) but come on, people our snakes everyone does these things one way or the other... We live on Earth (aka Greedyland) not Candyland! (mmm candy)! I cant say that i agree with Disney's (BAD) deed... i mean the least that they could have done is give those other guys some credit. Meybe the two companies hated each other, maybe they had a "pizza hut - domino pizza", "Britney-Christina", "McD's -White Castle" thing going on, but if they said something like Thanks to: The "Whatever it's called company" creators of Kimba the white lion: Our inspiration, they would look like the good guys and not the scoundrels they look like now... Anyway this movie is Great buy it before Disney stops releasing it (31 of this month? What month is it anyway?). The platinum edition is great. "Morning Report" sucks...BIG time...The DVD is Fun and will keep any fan of the movie busy for a while... The story (you know), the characters (you know), the voice actors (you know)...you know everything don't you? Buy it while you can...or don't buy it and give your $22.49 to people who need it... judgment day is coming people...just kiddin'!
Rating:
Summary: Greatest AnimatedMovie Ever!!!!!
Review: I bought the DVD collection for all the sequesls a few days ago and am not regretting it. The best animated movie among all animated movies displaying the beauty of the African animals and plains. The opening is just great and the sound tracks are so wonderful. Voices by the likes of James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Whoopi Goldberg and many more are just superb. I wonder whether any other movie will be able to beat this one and ten years later it is still very popular... Get a home copy.
Rating:
Summary: A True Disney Masterpiece!
Review: The Lion King is probably on of the best animated movies of all time. Every since this movie first came out in 1994, Disney hasn't been able to make a movie as good as it. A lot of reviewers have said that this is the most unfunny movie of all time. I have to disagree. Timon and Pumbaa were hilarious and besides, not all movies are ment to be funny.
This Platinum addition is loaded with bonus features and extras. From Deleted Scenes to Timon & Pumbaa's Vitual Safari, there is so much to see, hear, and do. Did I mention that there is an all-new song called "Morning Report". It is a pretty good song, but not as good as some of the other songs of course!
For those of you that have not seen the Lion King before, I will give a quick summary of the movie. A young, feisty lion cub named Simba is eager to grow up and become king. But Scar, Mufasa's evil brother and Simba's uncle wants to become king. But when Simba was born, Scar is no longer first in line. After Mufasa's tragic death, Simba is banished from the pridelands by Scar, who blames him for Mufasa's death. Simba spends many months in the jungle with his newfound friends, Timon & Pumbaa. He has forgotten who he really is and it will take some help from his childhood friend, Nala, to help him reclame his spot in the "Circle of Life".
If you don't have a chance to pick up the whole Lion King trilogy before they all go back in the Disney vault on January 31, be sure to pick up this wonderful movie. DON'T MISS OUT!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Disney's Lamest Platinum Release
Review: Yep, it's finally on DVD as part of Disney's Platinum Series. "The Lion King" is finally on DVD for a limited time only. If I were reviewing the film, I'd give it at least 4 stars. Unfortunately, as Amazon is selling the DVD instead of a film reel, I've got to review the DVD instead of the actual film. "The Lion King" is easily Disney's lamest Platinum Edition so far ("Bambi", "Cinderella", "The Little Mermaid" and others have yet to come). In case you don't understand me, I'll run through the iffy points;
*I'm sure we all loved the version that we saw as six year olds back in 1994. Sadly, we don't get that film. Instead, we get a special edition replacing one scene with a new number, easily trying to cash in on the Human Again success of "Beauty and the Beast". On the back, it says that there's also the original theatrical cut, but this is a lie. Disney released "The Lion King" to IMAX cinemas and had to reformat some scenes with new animation to look good on a really big screen, meaning we're not seeing the true version at all.
*There's too many kiddy features. Disney DVDs have many special features geared towards kids, but this just goes over the top. Despite being a collector's edition, there's probably more child fluff than anything else. Does a film nerd like me really wants to go on a virtual safarri with Timon and Pumba? And I think kids know what a lion is. Didn't they just watch a movie about one?
*The Disc 2 special features apart from the kiddy ones are fairly fluffy. I learnt some interesting stuff, but most of the features are promotional (advertising the theme parks) or just praise the film. I understand that "The Lion King" was a huge hit but save the promotion and praise for the Disney Store.
*Disc 2's navigational system is silly. The Journey concept repeats several bonus features and made me feel dizzy.
So is this DVD worth it? Despite my ramblings, I say yes. It's flawed in terms of its actual release, but the movie itself is a great movie and is one of the best Disney movies. Plus, the film itself is going to go out of print soon and for that reason, I recommend that you pick up a copy now. Yet if Disney releases a better copy in a few years time, I urge you to pick up that copy and replace this lesser release.
Rating:
Summary: Slammin' animal adventure movie!
Review: Having seen Kimba in Japanese long before I saw Lion King, I must say that Lion King is DEFINATELY a ripoff. To be fair though, there are some unique quirks to the Lion King story and it has very charming characters. I think that this is truly a masterpiece that is worth seeing, but bear in mind that Disney shamelessly stole the story and refused to acknowledge it.
Rating:
Summary: Superior Sound Quality
Review: Great movie - typical Disney film for all ages. This edition has a superior Disney Enhanced Soundtrack. Want to give your surround sound system a workout? Play this film. Bose uses it in their stores as a demo because it's so good.
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