Title: The Lion King

Year Released/Rating: 1994 G

Starring: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones

Directed By: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Written By: Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts

Genre: Children's animation

Star Rating: 4/5 stars

Where I Got It: We own it

Trivia:

• One of the bugs that Timon pulls out of a knothole during Hakuna Matata is wearing Mickey Mouse ears.
• The line, "What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?" was improvised by Nathan Lane.
• This animated movie was Gregory Peck's favorite animated film, he also ranked it in his top five all time favorite movies.
• Originally, the hyenas Banzai and Shenzi were supposed to be voiced by Tommy Chongand Cheech Marin. But the directors couldn't get hold of Chong, so they cast Whoopi Goldberg as Shenzi instead.
• Originally titled "King of the Jungle", it was supposed to be about African lions living in the jungle until the production team realized that lions don't live in the jungle. Interestingly enough, the phrase "King of the Jungle" is still used on certain T-shirts sold at the Disney Store.

Summary: Tricked into thinking he killed his father, a guilt ridden lion cub flees into exile and abandons his identity as the future King.

Review: A Disney classic.  I remember going to see this when it arrived in theaters (the first time).  I really enjoyed the characters, the storyline, and the music.  Everything about this movie is just great.  I must see during childhood and after.

Best Bits: 

• Mufasa: Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures, from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope. Young Simba: But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope? Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connnected in the great Circle of Life.
• Pumbaa: Hey, Timon, ever wonder what those sparkly dots are up there? Timon: Pumbaa, I don't wonder; I know. Pumbaa: Oh. What are they? Timon: They're fireflies. Fireflies that, uh... got stuck up on that big bluish-black thing. Pumbaa: Oh, gee. I always thought they were balls of gas burning billions of miles away. Timon: Pumbaa, with you, everything's gas.
• Zazu: [about Scar] There's one in every family sire. Two in mine, actually. And they always manage to ruin special occasions. Mufasa: What am I going to do with him? Zazu: He'd make a very handsome throw rug. Mufasa: [Surprised] Zazu! Zazu: And just think, Whenever he gets dirty you can take him out and beat him.
• Pumbaa: It's times like this my buddy Timon here says: you got to put your behind in your past. Timon: No, no, no. Amateur. Lie down before you hurt yourself. It's "You got to put your past behind you."