The Lion King

The Lion King is the Walt Disney Company's 32nd animated film. It was released in June of 1994.

The movie is about a young lion cub named Simba who learns about his place on the throne of Pride Rock and his role in the circle of life. It was the first full-length Disney film to feature no human characters.

Computer animation was used extensively in the creation of the movie, especially during the "Circle of Life" and stampede sequences.

Table of contents

1 Plot synopsis
2 Key Characters
3 Sequels and spin-offs

3.1 Musical

4 Controversies surrounding The Lion King

Plot synopsis

Warning: Wikipedia contains spoilers

Simba's father Mufasa, the Lion King, is murdered by his own brother and Simba's uncle, Scar, who then convinces Simba that Mufasa's death was Simba's fault and encourages the young cub into self-imposed exile ("Run away, Simba. Run... Run away and never return.").

After wandering in the desert, the young cub befriends a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. After growing up with Timon and Pumbaa, Simba's friend Nala eventually finds him. She urges Simba to return to Pride Rock and to retake his rightful throne, but he refuses. After Rafiki the baboon shows Simba that Mufasa's spirit lives inside him Simba goes back to Pride Rock to defeat his uncle Scar and the hyenas so he can reclaim his kingdom.

Key Characters

Mufasa - King of the Pridelands, father of Simba and mate of Sarabi
Simba - The future ruler of the Pridelands, who was exiled by his uncle Scar
Nala - Friend and future mate of Simba
Scar - Brother of Mufasa and Simba's Uncle
Sarabi - Mother of Simba and Mufasa's mate
Rafiki - Baboon or mandrill shaman
Timon and Pumbaa - A comical duo who adopt Simba and raise him under the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata"
Zazu - A hornbill who is King Mufasa's majordomo
Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed - Three hyenas who assist Scar in murdering Mufasa and exiling Simba

Sequels and spin-offs

The Lion King was so successful that Disney created a direct-to-video sequel called The Lion King II: Simba's Pride and a spin-off television series called Timon and Pumbaa. It has also been revisioned into a successful stage musical. A second sequel will be released in 2004.

On October 7, 2003 the movie was remasted and the made release of The Lion King 2-Disc Special Edition DVD.

Musical

The movie was also adapted into an award-winning musical by the same name. The first stage show opened on November 13, 1997 in New York City, New York.

Controversies surrounding The Lion King

The movie has had its share of controversy. There was some criticism from the gay community regarding a perceived effeminate undertone to the movie's villain, Scar. In one scene of the movie it appears, ambiguously but convincingly, that animators embedded the word "sex" into several frames of animation. And there was dispute over the origin of the story, as it bears a striking resemblance to a Japanese animated television show Kimba the White Lion, so much so that apparently even some animators thought they were doing a remake.