The Lion King
 This is the story of a land like Camelot, complete with a beloved king, a prince destined to rule someday, and an evil uncle thirsty for power--only here, the kingdom is the Pridelands on the continent of Africa, the the king is a wise and beloved lion by the name of Mufasa, his son Simba, and his brother and all around bad cat Scar.  This is the story of a young prince who was guilt ridden in the death of his father now has to return to his home and reclaim his true place in the Circle of Life.

Young Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas) and Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones) in "The Lion King"

The Lion King is one of Disney's first animated tales that was not based from a previously written story.  It features the voice talents of a stellar cast:  The story begins with the birth of a lion cub who would be named Simba by his parents Mufasa (voiced by James Earl Jones) and Sarabi (voiced by Madge Sinclair).  Young Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas) gains eagerness to be the next in line to be the king of the Pridelands, an enthusiasm not shared by his uncle Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons), who desires the throne himself.  He makes a pact with a band of hyenas to help him get rid of Simba, but a selfless act by Mufasa results in the king's death.  Scar then adds insult to injury by convincing Simba that he is responsible for his father's demise, and tells him to run away.  Simba's self-imposed exile brings him into the company of a warthog named Pumbaa (voiced by Ernie Sabella) and a wise cracking meercat named Timon (voiced by Nathan Lane).  They become friends and Simba, now grown up (now voiced by Matthew Broderick) lives a responsibility-free life.  Thanks to his childhood friend Nala (voiced by Moira Kelly) and one of Mufasa's oldest friends, a baboon named Rafiki (voiced by Robert Guillaume), Simba returns to the Pridelands to battle Scar and reclaim his place as "...the one, true king."

This is one of the most beautifully animated, beautifully crafted movies I have ever had the pleasure of watching.  It has a balance of drama, action and comedy in a well-developed story.  The musical scores created for this movie are also beautiful, two of which include "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" and "Circle of Life", both performed by Elton John.  This movie has been out for more than six years now, and I have as much fun watching it now as I did then when it first came out.  Everything from start to finish was perfect--the stars who lent their voices to be a part of this movie, the animation, the special effects, the music, the mood--nothing was left out.  I almost cried when Mufasa died;  it's rare to have a film that can provide such an impact on a viewer.

If you haven't purchased this movie, get it NOW!!  Much like a lot of Disney's animated movies, they become classified as classics and become released for a limited time.  Grab the magic of this movie while its available.  You won't be sorry.

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