The release of The Lion King 3D this Friday brings with it the chance to be reacquainted with one of the core films of Disney’s renaissance in animated features, one that began with 1989’s The Little Mermaid.
There’s a pleasing majesty and beauty to The Lion King 3D that is reflected in its direction, traditional animation and score. Of course, one of the most enduring aspects of the film is its soundtrack, including the joyful “Hakuna Matata,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and “Circle of Life.” While these songs by Elton John and Tim Rice are pleasant and tuneful, they aren’t up to the standard set by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman’s efforts for The Little Mermaid or Beauty and the Beast.
If The Lion King3D has a more significant flaw, it’s in the thin story, which doesn’t have the scope or depth its visuals deserve. The film rushes toward a happy, redemptive ending that isn’t earned, and it unnecessarily dances around the issues of duty, abandonment and familial love. It’s a puzzling oversight since the children for whom this film is intended could have easily handled a bit more complexity and emotionalism (how strange to be criticizing a Disney film for lacking in sentimentality).
As for the characters, two of the most prominent are underdeveloped. Scar, though wonderfully voiced by Jeremy Irons, isn’t quite the imposing villain he should be, nor does he have the back story to give his envy resonance. As for Simba, we never get the chance to see him mature or grow in character while away from home, thus muting the triumph of his inevitable ascension.
The lack of dramatic development of Scar’s rule is also a bit of a deficit, as is the unexplored dynamic of this animal kingdom. There’s also something rather outdated and aloof about the film’s veneration for royalty.
As entertainment for kids, however, especially those who are ready to expand their emotional horizons, the movie is still top-notch. In its very broad strokes, The Lion King 3D counsels against greed and selfishness, and portrays irresponsible power as a reign of loneliness — laudable lessons to be learned.
With regard to the 3D presentation, I can’t say it improved the film or made its world any more immersive than a regular presentation would have. I’m not a fan of the 3D format, but in this case, The Lion King 3D is worth the pricier ticket. It looks great, and since the film is scheduled to only be out for two weeks, it deserves to be on your list of must-sees.
This article appears in Sep 15-21, 2011.