Disney’s classic animated movie The Lion King was originally released 18 years ago in 1994, and The Lion King DVD or the Blu Ray version should be in every film lover’s collection. It is a classic movie that is as still as good today as it was the first day it was released, and continues to please all who get the chance to see it.

For those that don’t know, it is the story of Simba, the lion prince, who is destined to take the throne one day from his father, Mufasa. But his uncle, Scar, a rather evil character has another plan, he wants the throne, and so frames Simba into believing he is responsible for his father’s death.

Believing he is responsible for his father’s death, Simba runs away from home, with the intention of never returning. But fate finally leads the young prince back to his pride, and a series of adventures and new friends help him realize he was meant to be king.

It is the second biggest grossing animated feature film ever, thanks to its original release in 1994, and its re-release in 2011, in an all new 3D format. The movie has also had many sequels, and an animated television spin-off featuring two of its most popular characters, Timon and Pumbaa. They are of course the meerkat and warthog who Simba meets while running away and become his best friends.

Like many of Disney’s animated features it has a stellar cast voicing the characters. Jeremy Irons is the evil Uncle Scar, while James Earl Jones voices Mustafa, Scar’s brother and Simba’s father. Simba himself is played by two actors, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, who was one of the sons in TV’s Home Improvement, while Matthew Broderick, star of both screen and Broadway, plays the character when he is grown up.

Timon and Pumbaa are played by Broadway stars Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella. Other members of the cast include comedy legends like Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson or Mr Bean to many, Cheech Marin and Robert Guillame, who was of course Benson on TV.

This DVD should be part of any children’s or family’s collection, but it is certainly not just for them. Film lovers of any age will appreciate its magic. The animation is incredible, capturing the African colors beautifully. One of its stand out features though must be the wonderful music, which was rewarded with 2 Oscars. Hans Zimmer received one for the score, while pop star, Elton John, and theatre legend, Tim Rice, received the other for best original song.

This film not only should be, but deserves to a stand out in any home collection. So if you don’t already own the Lion King DVD or the Blu Ray, you really should get your hands on it as soon as you can.

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