Lion King, The (DVD)

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I don't mind adaptations, especially if they're done well. However, I DO mind when a company pretends to play dumb. The situation concerning the origins of "The Lion King" in "Kimba the White Lion" is one of the reasons why I like to call Disney's parent company Mala Vista.

And now we return you to John and our regular programing.

Video:
You wouldn't think a film made as recently as 1994 would need the full restoration bestowed upon "The Lion King," but I suppose film stock can accumulate dust and deteriorate even sitting undisturbed in an airtight vault. In any case, the film was restored frame by frame to its original luster and clarity and then remastered to THX standards. The results are outstanding, the image quality nothing short of perfection. Colors are bright, contrasts are deep, tints are vibrant, and shadings are subtle. Interestingly, Disney claims in the booklet insert that the screen size measures a 1.66:1 anamorphic ratio, but by my measurements it appears to be closer to a wider 1.74:1. Whatever, the image we get is purity itself.

Audio:
Take your pick of audio reproduction: Regular Dolby Digital 5.1 or a new Disney "Enhanced Home Theater Mix." I chose to listen mainly to the new mix, finding it a bit overboard but immense fun. Disney engineers throw a lot more information into the rear speakers in the enhanced version, and they increase the output to all the channels. The sonics are slightly hard in the musical numbers, but the sound stage is all-enveloping, there is a tremendous dynamic range and impact, and bass is exceptionally robust. Yes, too much of a good thing, perhaps, and not entirely realistic, but as I say, fun.

Extras:
As a cynical adult (it's not my fault, again; occupational hazard), I can't help thinking that studios like Disney conspire to get kids to come back to their discs as often and as unnecessarily as possible. Just as Disney discs always start up automatically with previews of other Disney attractions, a function that many youngsters might not think to bypass, so do they contain a multitude of brief extras to keep young fingers busy with the remote. The menus on these special editions are, I'm sure, purposely designed to be interactive hide-and-seek games, requiring the user to return many times to find everything available. I find them a damn nuisance (it took a good minute and a half or more to finally play the movie), but there's no denying that a wealth of information can be had if one doesn't mind digging deeply enough for it and picking it out in tiny bits and pieces.

OK, here's a quick rundown of what's available if you look hard enough. If you can't find what you want, there's a road map in the keep case to help you out. Disc one contains the two versions of the film, the special edition (featuring the new song "Morning Report") and the original theatrical release, both digitally restored and remastered. Next, there's an audio commentary with producer Don Hahn and directors Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers on the theatrical release only. Then, there are three deleted or abandoned scenes, including "Bug Football." Several music videos follow, the making of the new song, "Morning Report"; an all-new "Circle of Life," also with a making-of video; a sing-along track; a "Lion King Personality Profile" game; a "Timon's Grab-a-Grub" game; and a "Pumbaa's Sound Sensations" game. Finally, there are Sneak Peeks at other Disney titles, a THX set of audiovisual tests, and twenty-four scene selections. English and French are the spoken-language options, with English captions for the hearing impaired.

Disc two is where you'll really get lost. It's divided into five major categories, with a slew of sub-categories, or check out the same material under the subheadings of six continents. Whew! Let me just do the major stuff: In "Animals Journey" we learn how real animals inspired the animated "Lion King" characters. Then, in "Story Journey" we learn about some of the origins and influences behind "The Lion King." Interestingly, the filmmakers tell us the saga had its beginnings in ancient mythology, Joseph Campbell, Shakespeare, and the rest, going all the way back to Moses, the Bible, and before; but there's nary a mention of Eddie's concern above, which does seem more than a bit unsporting of them. Following that is "Stage Journey" where we go behind the scenes of the musical stage version of "The Lion King." Next is "Film Journey," where we follow the filmmakers on the road to making the film. And finally, we have "Music Journey," where we explore the music of "The Lion King" with Elton John, lyricist Tim Rice, composer Hans Zimmer, and others.

Parting Thoughts:
"The Lion King" was clearly intended for younger audiences, this is Disney after all, and with its plethora of cute animals it surely hits the mark. But older audiences can appreciate the splendid art work, a select few of the songs, and the powerful last third of the plot. Perhaps because I did not respond as enthusiastically to the predictability of the story line as most people did, I would not have rated it quite as high as Eddie did (a "7" seemed fitting); but I will on this occasion defer to Eddie's better judgment and suggest the movie deserves an 8/10 rating at the very least for the sheer scope of its appearance and accomplishment. It is quite dazzling to the eye.

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