The Lion King is one of those movies that, if you missed at the time, you may well wonder what all the fuss is about. However, as you watch the film unfold you should be swept along with it and quickly become a fan. Surely, only the stoniest of viewers could avoid enjoying this movie.
The story (reminiscent of Hamlet in many ways and also, apparently, an old animated series called Kimba The White Lion) is all about young Simba, a lion due to be the king one day (hence the title, obviously) until his scheming uncle Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons) comes up with a way to get him out of the picture and almost certain never to return. But fate will make sure that things don’t end so bleakly. Won’t it? I don’t know the technical terms for what went on during the making of The Lion King but I do know this – this movie still looks as beautiful today as it did when released back in 1994. The animation is superb.
But great animation is only one aspect of an animated movie and, thankfully, The Lion King gets everything else just right. The vocal talent is superb (along with Irons we get the great James Earl Jones, Rowan Atkinson, Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and, of course, Nathan Lane), the songs are great, the script is smart and witty and the whole thing makes for an almost perfect viewing experience for the whole family.
On a side note, it’s also fun to look out for the moment when Simba kicks up some dust as he looks up at the stars and we see the letters SFX (or, controversially, SEX . . . . . which the animators may have denied but it definitely looks like an “E” in the middle there) appear in the night sky.
Watch and enjoy.
But what exactly does this have to do with EIFF 2011? Well, as announced today, the movie will be presented in stunning Disney Digital 3D at The Festival Theatre on Saturday 25th June at 1400, months ahead of a general release set for 14th October.
Tickets for this visual feast are on sale now at www.edfilmfest.org.uk or via the box office on 0131 228 2688.
DIRECTOR: ROGER ALLERS, ROB MINKOFF
STARS: MATTHEW BRODERICK, JEREMY IRONS, NATHAN LANE, ROWN ATKINSON, CHEECH MARIN, JAMES EARL JONES
RUNTIME: 89 MINS APPROX
COUNTRY: USA
Film Rating: 
