After 17 years, Disney classic ‘The Lion King’ Goes 3D

By Victoria Irwin
Lycourier Staff


In an unprecedented event, Walt Disney Pictures will again release its 1994 classic, “The Lion King,” for a special two-week run in 3D starting Friday, followed by the Diamond Edition release of the film on DVD, Blu-ray, and 3D Blu-ray on Oct. 4.

At movie theaters around the world, special Simba 3D glasses will replace the regular glasses for as long as supplies last. Disney says the film in 3D will be a breathtaking new take on the classic tale. The 3D to enhance the cinematic experience of “The Lion King.”

The rich animation of the original film promises to come to life with this added dimension and bring details the viewer could have possibly missed in the film’s original format.

In an interview with Collider.com, “The Lion King” stenographer Robert Neuman said, “In creating this 3D version, we’re creating a whole new art form, a whole new medium. You have all of the charm and the energy of the hand-drawn line that the original artists put down on paper, but there’s a tangibility that you usually only get out of something that has more dimensional framework … It has this tangibility, charm and, in my eyes, it has become a distinct form of animation. Even if you’ve seen the movie a hundred times, you’ll feel like you’re seeing it for the first time when you see it in 3D.”

The Disney movie follows the story of the young lion cub Simba who can’t wait for his turn as king, learning the ropes from his wise father, Mufasa. Before Simba can claim the throne, Mufasa is murdered by his jealous brother, Scar. Simba, tricked by Scar into believing that the death of his father is his own fault, flees home, leaving his pride behind.

While in the wilderness, Simba makes unlikely friends with two fellow outcasts, a snarky meerkat name Timon and a lovably dense warthog named Pumba, who teach him their motto “Hakuna Matata,” which means “no worries.” Only with the return of a familiar face from his childhood does Simba realize he has to fulfill his destiny as king and save his pride from the cruel reign of Scar.

Since its release in 1994, “The Lion King” has been the recipient of two Academy Awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song as well as two Golden Globes for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy and Best Original Score. The feature inspired two animated motion-picture sequels, a cartoon series based on supporting characters Timon and Pumba and an award-winning Broadway musical.

To increase excitement for the re-release of this classic film, Disney has created an animated blooper reel featuring hilarious character blunders, including Mufasa warming up his voice for a “roar” and Rafiki tripping on Pride Rock and dropping baby Simba. Also part of the hype is a brand new part of the Disney Website devoted to “The Lion King.”

This classic film will continue to be beloved by old audiences and enchant new ones when it opens. If it succeeds in the box office, there’s a possibility more favorite Disney classics will be converted into 3D for the big screen and Blu-ray.