The Lion King 3D is finally in theaters, but for two weeks only! This weekend’s number one movie was made for fans of the classic animated Disney films before computers took over every aspect of animation. Of course, the story is exactly the same, but seventeen years later, there’s something extra special in revisiting the characters from Pride Rock with the three-dimensional technology of today.
This movie came out when I was ten years old, and that pre-teen version of myself had a monster crush on the voice of the young mischievous Simba, Jonathan Taylor Thomas (Home Improvement). At that age, I definitely wasn’t as aware of all the star power led by an impressive cast of voices including: Matthew Broderick (The Producers) as adult Simba, Jeremy Irons (The Borgias) as the villain, Scar, the one and only James Earl Jones as Mufasa, Nathan Lane (The Producers) as Timon, Moira Kelly (One Tree Hill) as adult Nala, Whoopi Goldberg (The View) as the hyena Shenzi, Cheech Marin (Cars 2) as Banzi, Rowan Atkinson (Bean) as Zazu, Robert Guillaume (Columbus Circle) as Rafiki, and Ernie Sabella (Saved by the Bell) as Pumba.
In 2011, celebrities are seeking to participate in animated films, not just for the money, but because of the wider range of audience that they will reach since about five to seven animated films hit theaters a year. AND, the Academy Awards now feature a category dedicated just for animated films.
So, I bet you’re wondering how the limited re-release of this movie is with the three-dimension effects… If you’ve seen the trailer in 3D, then you’ve seen the opening sequence of the movie. The circle of life, all of the exotic creatures of Pride Rock, gathers at the presentation of Mufasa’s heir, baby Simba. The combination of the music and newly added effects clearly makes this the best part of the movie and sets up a very powerful beginning for the adventure tale.
However, musical sequences like Simba singing “I Just Can’t Wait To Be King” are spectacles of color, dance, and wonder in 3D, as well as the Mufasa’s-death-by-stampede which forces Simba to run away because his devious uncle Scar has poisoned the young cub in believing that he is at fault for his father’s death. Also, who can forget the delight in Timon and Pumba singing “Hakuna Matata?” The kids in the theater loved that!
Disney knew what they were doing in releasing the movie for a limited two-week run because fans of the original movie and the next generation of viewers (their kids!) will rejoice in this very special event. Of course, it’s not like seeing a powerhouse action flick like Star Wars where the special effects take the movie to a whole new level. The Lion King 3D is worth seeing, but what makes this different is that it’s a family experience.
I remember seeing it for the first time as a kid and knowing that some of my friends now have kids and want to go see The Lion Kind 3D, there’s a certain sense of nostalgia that exists while honoring a movie that will come to mean so much to the future generation.
Rating: This movie gets a 7/10 for the simple fact that it’s celebrating a beloved classic that we’ll always remember, but this time in 3D!
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