The Lion King is loaded with hoary biblical references (ray of lights, burning bushes) and Shakespearean shout-outs, but that’s all they are.
21 Comments
09/28/03
The Lion King (1994)
92
%
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:61
Fresh:56
Rotten:5
Average Rating:8/10
Consensus: Emotionally stirring, richly drawn, and beautifully animated, The Lion King stands tall within Disney's pantheon of classic family films.
Theatrical Release:Jun 24, 1994 Wide
Synopsis: Wild Africa is the setting for this animated tale of a young lion cub whose evil uncle usurps his father's crown and lets hyenas overrun the kingdom (borrowing elements of both Hamlet and Richard... [More]
Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Whoopi Goldberg
Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
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Reviews for The Lion King
The sickly Elton John and Tim Rice songs ruin any attempts at hipness.
03/04/08
Frankly, I felt more raw emotion in the more recent Spirit: Stallion Of The Cimarron and the sadly neglected The Emperor’s New Groove (2000) was more fun. Of course, you can’t argue with the Lion King’s roaring success, but for some, bigger doesn’t make i
12/27/02
Forget the musical, The Lion King is now in IMAX. Too bad it sends the wrong message -- to anyone who sees messages in cartoon animals singing Broadway numbers.
12/27/02
This is more a favourite of the children than adult Disney fans. It has a few memorable songs and has spawned a very popular stage production.
03/04/08
Makes up for its shortcomings in the musical department with a strong dose of mature drama.
01/05/04
The Lion King, more than any of the recent wave of Disney animated features, has the resonance to stand not just as a terrific cartoon but as an emotionally pungent movie.
03/04/08
Top CriticA winner.
02/09/06
This tale of a lion cub's coming of age in the African veldt offers a less memorable song score than did the previous hits, and a hasty, unsatisfying dramatic resolution.
03/04/08
No review available.
08/22/02
I can intellectualize the film's delights without feeling offended by my numbness to them
10/06/03
You can't go wrong with The Lion King.
10/10/03
A film of unusual visual and emotional magnitude for Disney.
01/04/03
The Lion King is a royal treat.
12/27/02
The entire film is loaded with eye-popping visuals, which, even on a second viewing, never fail to mesmerize.
01/01/00
One of Disney's greatest achievements.
01/01/00
A computer-animated scene featuring a stampede of wildebeest is positively breathtaking.
03/04/08
Top CriticThey don't make 'em like this anymore.
05/22/03
It’s an animated and kid-friendly variation on Hamlet, and it is wonderful.
10/24/03
Families who have warmed to it around their television sets or enjoyed the stage adaptation will jump at the chance to see it on the big screen again.
12/31/02
Latest News for The Lion King
July 31, 2009:
Disney Domains Spark Sequel Rumors 
Could "Monsters, Inc." and "Lion King" sequels be in our future, or is Disney just purchasing domain names willy-nilly? More...
December 28, 2007:
Disney's Little Mermaid Heads to Broadway
Given all the success Disney has found by bringing animated hits like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King to Broadway, it stands to reason that they'd eventually go back to... More...
September 15, 2006:
DreamWorks to Bring "Mr. Peabody & Sherman" to the Big Screen
Fans of the classic "Rocky & Bullwinkle Show" probably spent 180 minutes cringing through the films "Boris & Natasha" and "The Adventures of... More...
August 25, 2006:
I'm Sorry Peter Jackson: Rob Minkoff to Direct Jet Li - Jackie Chan Collaboration
The most recent update in the speculation race surrounding Jet Li and Jackie Chan's planned co-starring venture names kid-flick helmer Rob Minkoff to direct, not the Lord of the... More...
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