The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition Collector's Gift Set)
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Movie Reviews of The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition Collector's Gift Set)
Movie Review: Don't buy from warehouse.surplus!
Summary: 1 Stars
Don't buy from warehouse.surplus, they are not a company you can depend on. They never sent me the the Lion King DVD I ordered and never answered any e mails sent to them. Movie Review: Lion King - the movie -NEVER GOT IT......
Summary: 2 Stars
I never received this movie and have sent numerous emails. I will not order again from Amazon unless this is resolved.Movie Review: The King of Disney
Summary: 5 Stars
The Lion King is the most complete and powerful movie I have ever seen. Never before have I come across a film with such a powerful plot, breathtaking visuals, unforgettable characters, and amazing music all jampacked into one DVD. I know, you film critics out there are probably reading this review thinking, "Wow, have you even started watching the Godfather?" And yes, I've actually watched the whole thing, but that certainly isn't a film that I can enjoy with my children.
Now I know most Americans are probably already familiar with the plot of The Lion King, but chances are that if you're searching this review board, you haven't seen the movie and you're interested as to what takes place over the course of the film. Let me just start by saying that I would give this movie a million stars if Amazon.com hadn't set the max at five. The being said, let's delve into what gives this movie its supreme quality.
I'm not some professional movie critic, but I think that any great movie should strike a balance between plot and action. For example, The Matrix and Gandhi are both really well-made films, but you'd be lucky not to have a heart attack by the end of The Matrix or fall asleep by the end of Gandhi. Lol! The Lion King, on the other hand, builds up the plot through each passing minute, while simultaneously hitting you with action when you least expect it.
The Lion King opens up on a land called Pride Rock with the birth of Simba, son of Mufasa, the king of the lions. Scar, Mufasa's brother, despises the birth of Simba. since Simba will be heir to the throne once Mufasa dies. Once Simba grows up to be around 8 or 9 (at least he acts that way =] ), Scar starts stirring up trouble, leading to a series of events that put Simba in grave danger. Mufasa dies in an attempt to save Simba (I literally cried during this scene), and Scar, being the terrible villain that he is, convinces Simba that the only reason Mufasa died is because Simba put him in that situation. This exchange between Scar and Simba brings about the famous words:
Simba: "What should I do?"
Scar: "Run, Simba. Run away, and never return."
And with that, Simba, who is technically the king at this point, runs out of his kingdom and into the wilderness. In the jungle, he meets Timon and Pumba, some of my favorite Disney characters ever. These two clowns teach Simba a worry-free lifestyle, and before long, Simba has grown up to be a young adult. Meanwhile, back in Pride Rock the evil hyenas have taken over, leaving the lions in a miserable, starving state. Nala, Simba's best buddy from childhood, leaves Pride Rock to search for help. Long story short, she finds Simba, they make love, Simba refuses to go back, Simba gets sense knocked into him by a wise monkey named Rafiki, and finally Simba returns to Pride Rock and challenges Scar.
The plot may seem simple, but this is the one of the few films that reaches the point that words can no longer describe what you're feeling, you know? Like I could keep telling you the basics, but you would never understand the emotional connection that I feel every time I pop this movie into the DVD player. No film I've ever watched has had such a strong influence on my view of life, because on its deepest level, the movie is essentially a spiritual journey for self-discovery. I know you probably think I'm crazy, but we'll get more into that later.
Some films can make you laugh, others can make you cry, The Lion King can do both. A couple weeks ago, my family and I sat down one night and decided to watch it from beginning to end. The "Circle of Life," by Elton John, blared out of my Dolby 5.1 surround-sound system. I was immediately alert and excited for the classic I was about to watch. Then came the scene in which Simba and Mufasa were playing around under the stars, and a wave of emotion flooded me as I remembered my dad; the connection the scene created was simply unbelievable. And then, of course, came the scene where Scar killed Mufasa. Probably one of the saddest moments ever to grace the silver screen, this scene didn't quite make me cry, but I was filled with a strange emptiness, as if the loss was my own. The level at which The Lion King made a connection with me was so great that I felt Simba's pain, even thought I kept telling myself that it was just a movie. However, all was well and good half an hour later when Timon and Pumba started doing the Hula Dance, which brought my family to tears, tears of laughter. This is one of the funniest moments in any Disney movie, and I've posted the link for those of you who are interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkWs3HVww4I. No film I can remember, not even the classics from the mid-1900s, triggered such a broad range of emotions from me and my family.
The animation and musical score of The Lion King were not only amazing during the 90s, but they remain a force even today. The music in particular touched me on a pretty personal level. "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" always brings me back to a time shortly after I'd graduated from college, in which all my friends had girlfriends, and I felt more and more like Timon, alone and friendless. It's just amazing how this movie manages to evoke emotions linked to such specific parts of my life, which is more reason to appreciate the sheer power of this film.
The characters are also timeless. James Earl Jones does Mufasa's voiceover to perfection, giving him the authority of a true king. Scar is one of the most evil villains in Disney history, and I still get chills when Scar has Simba in the same position as he had Mufasa before he died. In this scene, Scar grabs Simba's paws and says, "And here's my little secret. I...killed...Mufasa." Unforgettable. Timon and Pumba essentially work to counteract the drama that Scar creates. They are just so lovable that they loosen the movie's dramatic mood and make you feel more relaxed. Overall, I'd say there's an excellent balance of drama and humor.
The Lion King achieves iconic status not only through its emotional power and production quality, but also because of its appeal to all age groups. I know it's a truly entertaining watch for you young folks out there, but it becomes much more interesting as you grow older and start to appreciate its symbolic value. The movie accurately depicts the journey of life: you start off innocent and insecure, you go through a phase when nothing matters, and by the time you're an adult, you find responsibility and wisdom. In terms of the actual film, Simba started as a young troublemaker, then he found Timon and Pumba and adopted the phrase "Hakuna Matata (no worries)," and finally Simba "grew" up, recognized his responsibility, and saved his kingdom. We each go through this every day, and while it is oftentimes a great struggle to make the responsible decision, we are bound by our responsibilities, and there is no escaping them. This is akin to when Simba tried to leave Pride Rock forever, only to go back many years later when he realized the consequences of his actions. In other words, The Lion King makes a big effort to teach kids that neglecting responsibility can be a terrible mistake. And let me tell you, this is by no means the only life lesson this movie puts out there.
The Lion King is overflowing with words of wisdom. While kids could use these lessons for obvious reasons, I can tell you from personal experience that I have watched The Lion King during times in which I've been depressed or sidetracked from my goals in life. The scene in which Rafiki makes Simba reflect on his life is particularly powerful. Every time I watch this therapeutic segment, I get a sense that someone is watching over me, which triggers me to reassess my goals in life. The movie is also very inspirational during rough times, giving me a sense that if I reach deep within myself, I can do things I've always dreamed of. Yeah, it's a pretty generic message, but the way it presents itself gives me chills almost constantly throughout the entire film.
Like all great movies, The Lion King comes full circle by the end of the movie. One of the core themes, the "circle of life," shows on the most basic level that animals, or in our case humans, die so that the next generation may live. The film immediately begins with the birth of Simba, and you are taken with Simba on his life journey that results in the birth of his own child. The beginning and ending scenes are almost identical, which really serves as a tribute to Disney's masterful production quality. Throughout Simba's spiritual journey of self-discovery, I could often relate to the obstacles facing Simba on his bumpy path. For example, I had a really powerful connection with my dad, and when Mufasa died, I really felt a pang of sadness. At the same time, I fully understood why Simba coped with his loss the way he did, and when the moment of self-recognition finally came years later, Simba was ready for it. I know some of you are probably frowning at this point, thinking, "Ok, Disney clearly did not intend for the movie to be this deep. Stop hyper-analyzing the children's movie!" But that is exactly what makes this film so moving, because Disney did intend to stir up your emotions, even on a spiritual level!
I'm having trouble putting this into words, but I want you all to understand that his movie contains principles which you should base your life on. This isn't just some kids movie; it will take each and every one of you on a spiritual journey, and by the movie's end, if you've really paid attention and taken it all in, you will walk away with a new and inspired view of life. I really can't tell you how much this movie helped me during difficult times throughout my life, and I remain infinitely thankful, as this movie has often turned my life around. I know, you'd think I'd be talking about God or something, but no, I really do mean every word of this review. The Lion King has the power to change your life. Yes, it has the terrific animations, music, and characters, and all of those would be great reasons for a movie critic to give it five stars. But I'm no movie critic. I'm a loving parent who has come a long way from when I was as a kid, and every time I watch Simba grow up, I can't help but feel that I'm watching a shortened version of my life. If you haven't seen The Lion King yet, do yourself a favor and watch it at some point in the next week. Some of you may walk away thinking it's just another movie, but hey, you never know; some of you may very well walk away with a new understanding of your place in the circle of life.
Movie Review: Bogus Copy
Summary: 1 Stars
Do not buy from this seller - false ads and bogus copies. I ordered what was supposed to be a NEW DVD and instead was shipped a BADLY BURNED COPY. And the seller never replied to my email - fortunately, Amazon has wonderful customer service.Movie Review: Don't buy from this seller!!!!!!!!!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
I purchased a DVD from this seller and failed to receive it by the shipped date. As requested through Amazon I have tried to contact the seller and never received a response. I currently have put a claim into amazon for this purchase and awaiting a full refund with cancellation of the order. All in all it has been a huge headache. I gave them 1 star because they wouldn't accept a no star rating.