‘The Lion King’ doesn’t lose an ounce of its magic

The Lion King is a classic. Period.

For those who didn’t believe that statement before this year, they are probably convinced now. The 1994 animated flick has successfully relaunched in 3D and finds itself at the top of the food chain, or box office as it were. This 2011 resurgence should be proof positive that this King is king, indeed.

Charting a story that will ring a bell of familiarity to fans of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, The Lion King follows the characters we’ve come to know and love throughout the years. There’s Mufasa (voiced by the always deep James Earl Jones), the king of Pride Rock, a community of animals in the African savanna. His son, the heir to the throne, is Simba (voiced as a child by Jonathan Taylor Thomas and as an adult by Matthew Broderick). The relationship between Mufasa and Simba is what drives The Lion King, and this being a Disney film, this relationship needs to end in death.

The murder of Mufasa comes at the hands of his jealous brother, Scar (voiced by Jeremy Irons, in one of the best voiceover performances in cinematic history). With his father dead and the future looking bleak, Simba leaves Pride Rock to start life anew as a wandering loner. Scar, in turn, ascends the throne and brokers a hurtful trust with the hyenas. Now the nearby shadowlands overcome Pride Rock and all looks lost forever.

Along the way, there are a host of supporting characters to offer jokes and catchy musical numbers. Zazu (voiced by Rowan Atkinson) is a southern yellow-billed hornbill who serves as Mufasa’s right-hand assistant and unenthusiastic babysitter of Simba and his friend, Nala (voiced by Niketa Calame). Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) are a prairie dog and warthog, respectively. In different lights they can be seen as either the Jar-Jar Binks or Lumiere/Cogsworth of the movie. They are the definition of comedic relief.

Of course, The Lion King wouldn’t be The Lion King without its masterful songbook by Tim Rice and Elton John. Every single number has worked its way into the collective memory of filmgoers. Whether it’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight?” “Hakuna Matata” or the still powerful “Circle of Life,” the songs of this 89-minute movie resonate long after the final credits have rolled.

Watching the movie more than 15 years after its initial release (and in 3D to boot) is an interesting experience. Much of the humor continues to charm. I find Timon to be hilarious, albeit a bit annoying. I think Scar is the stuff of movie legend; he’s a villain as campy and memorable as Joan Crawford in Mommy, Dearest (that’s right, I said it). The animation, compared to today’s uber-CGI effects, is simple and effective. The prairie land is majestic and beautiful, while the character’s portraits are nicely realized.

The 3D doesn’t add much to the mix. These Disney movies from the 1990s can’t compare with the depth of the Pixar films, but like an alluring painting, they cause audience members to sit dumbfounded at their beauty.

The legacy of The Lion King has only strengthened. Its Broadway incarnation is still running, and new audiences are learning the lessons of Simba and Mufasa. Should the movie be criticized for its sanitation of African ritualism (in terms of Rafiki, the medicine-man baboon)? I suppose so. But The Lion King is meant to be a quick animated movie that offers some helpful lessons to young people and some glorious songs for audience members of all ages. That’s about it.

Animated movies have always used animals to convey their parables, and Disney is obviously trying to start some important conversations with its younger viewers on the value of friendship, family and, yes, even spirituality.

Whether The Lion King still resonates with you will likely depend on how infectious you find its songs. I would take listening to this soundtrack over watching the movie any day of the week. That shouldn’t be seen as a critique of the film, but rather a glowing endorsement of the songs, both their winning lyrics and catchy orchestrations.

• The Lion King

• 1994

• Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff

• Written by Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts and Linda Woolverton

• Original songs by Elton John and Tim Rice

• Starring the voice talents of James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Niketa Calame, Ernie Sabella, Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, Whoopi Goldberg, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Cheech Marin

• Running time: 89 minutes

• Rated G

• Rating: