16 years ago, in June 24th, 1994, The Lion King was released. Featuring the best Disney Villain in my opnion, and some of the best Disney songs ever created, this classic is still considered Disney’s best movie ever. And, today, 16 years later, I’ve gathered opnions from both Disney fans and non-fans (but that doesn’t means haters), about the impact the movie had on them, its legacy.
We begin with Choco McShreddy, a roleplayer for the Taco n’ Banana community. He says:
The fact that it’s still playing a part in my college friend’s inside jokes make it an amazing part of my cultural growth. It opened our eyes to different cultures, different types of music and was the whole reason I watch so many David Attenborough programmes nowadays, so in a sense, the Lion King has always been one of those things that changed our lives. It was the most significant thing to come out of Disney since Mickey Mouse!
Thanks, Choco! Our next guest is Chris Lastrapes, of WDWNT fame, and DLdocumentary on Twitter:
To me, The Lion King is the last great film produced by the Walt Disney Animation Studios. Sure, there have been some really good ones since then, but The Lion King was the last great one is a series of four straight fantastic films. This film has a special place in my heart because of my love of the works of Shakespeare, as it serves as the only Disney animated feature to be adapted from the Bard’s great canon. Of course, the characters of the African savannah do not go by Hamlet, Ophelia, Gertrude and Claudius, but their spirit is embodied in Simba, Nala, Sarabi and Scar. Here, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are helpful, lovable companions in Timon and Pumbaa instead of useless and singular friends. And The Lion King has a much happier resolution than then dismal scene at the end of Act V of Hamlet. But the plot elements are all there. I applaud Disney for being bold in the death of Mufasa. Extremely well done, it had emotional depth to the film and provided a strong dimension to Simba’s character that carries him to the final scenes when he steps on to Pride Rock to declare his reign as king. The Lion King came out in while I was in middle school, around the time I was discovering the works of Shakespeare on my own. Really, it was perfect timing. Now I get to share in two loves every time I return and watch this true Disney masterpiece.
Gracias, Chris! We now move to Shawn Rees, or dis_pod_review on Twitter:
I remember the first glimpses I had of the upcoming Lion King movie. They were rough black and white drawings of Rafiki holding the young Simba atop of Pride Rock with the powerful Circle of Life song shaking the seats in the theater. I was enthralled and for many months eagerly anticipated seeing this masterpiece. It wasn’t in 3D or played on an iMax screen, but it still proved to be one of the most moving films I have ever seen. Even to this day, I have in my vehicle a well used soundtrack CD, and test the limits of my stereo with every listen. It’s hard to imagine that my once preschool children who first saw this movie with me, are now finding their place in the great “circle of life” as they go out and fend for themselves. I hope that as Mufasa, I have instilled within them the character qualities needed to overcome any tough situation.
Perfect pragraph. Let’s go to Nate Parrish of WEDWay Radio and Betamouse fame:
My first time watching Lion King was not actually until late in the summer of 1994. Add that to the fact that I had seen Legend of the Lion King (which completely spoiled the film) on a mid summer 1994 trip to Walt Disney World and my first time watching the film was not that special. However, I got to re-experience the film all over again last year when my son (then age three) saw the film for the first time and fell in love with it. Now it is one of our favorite movies to watch together. I think that the legacy of this film is that it tells us all that growing up and facing the fears that come with responsibility is difficult. Also, the Lion King as a film was really the culmination of the Michael Eisner – Roy E. Disney – Jeffrey Katzenberg team, and I dont think that we have seen as much creativity, business sense and talent in a film since then.
I have to agree with that last line. Next one is Jill Laperle, whom I invited on the Betamouse Friend Feed:
The Lion King Movie was released during a time when I was re-discovering my Disney addict side. I remember going my then boyfriend, now husband to see it. I always felt I should be borrowing kids to see these movies since I was in my early 20s and had just graduated from college. I could not believe the emotion I felt for all the characters. The presentation of Simba to the pride made you actually forget this was just a cartoon with animals as the main characters. It really humanized all the charcaters for me. I immediately was brought into the story and was eager to see how Simba’s journey would end. I consider this a true Dinsey Classic that will be enjoyed by all ages for many more years.
Correction: I know your father...
