Directors: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Starring: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones and Whoopi Goldberg
‘An Animated Masterpiece’
Not many actresses in Hollywood have earned appreciations of Whoopi Goldberg. Ever since her rise to recognition in the 1990’s, Goldberg has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s bold women wearing bright colours, slave owners or lions facing dangers, Goldberg has portrayed many strong characters. Arguably, Goldberg’s finest strength as an actress has always been commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has always poured her heart and soul into every single role. Goldberg has never been afraid of taking risks in her career through playing characters that aren’t likeable. Through her abilities to portray characters that audiences can relate to, Goldberg has become an actress that audiences value. Although she has reached an age of retirement, Goldberg has never lost her passion for entertainment. Throughout her strong career, Goldberg has produced several unforgettable movies that are definitely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Goldberg and adore all the movies she has made in her career. However, “The Lion King” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 1994, Goldberg’s movie has stood a test of time as an animated classic. Packed with breathtaking production design, strong storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s one of the best animated movies ever made. At the centre of it all is a strong vocal performance from Whoopi Goldberg, who embodies an evil hyena facing tragedy. Ultimately, what makes “The Lion King” an animated classic is its bold appeal. Unlike most animated films which are targeted toward children only, it tackles strong themes that everyone will relate to. It delivers a bold message about fatherhood which would resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about lions that prove to be frightening, there are many strong reasons why “The Lion King” is worth seeing.
Set in a majestic land, “The Lion King” tells a story of a lion embarking on a journey to find her identity. Matthew Broderick plays Simba, a young lion with dreams of becoming a king. Simba has always shared a strong bond with his father Mufasa (James Earl Jones), whom he loves dearly. However, Simba’s dreams are threatened when he becomes a victim of his uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons) causing a disaster. Scar is a treacherous lion that holds a grudge against his brother. As Simba is banished from his homeland forever, he begins to question if it’s possible for him to become a king. Faced with a dilemma, Simba begins to question if it’s possible to overcome trauma. Questioning if he can become a king, Simba begins wondering if he can become a lion under the control of an uncle that’s frightening.
Rob Minkoff is a newcomer towards animated movies. Before he directed “The Lion King”, Minkoff had never made a movie about lions in his career before. It was the filmmaker’s first attempt to capture the lives of lions that are in grave danger but he succeeded tremendously. Through stunning animation, Minkoff captures a lion embarking on a journey to find identity. Minkoff effectively uses animation to capture the lives of lions facing tension. For instance, animation elevates the opening Circle of Life scene. During this unforgettable scene, the animals gather in a circle for a meeting. One admires animation capturing the lives of lions facing tension. Animation is a tricky technique. As John Lasseter’s “Toy Story” suggested, animation elevates classic cartoon films about toys. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through animation, Minkoff captures the tensions that lions in a state of terror struggling to rule kingdoms are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Lion King” which merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, the film is very well made. Minkoff effectively uses musical numbers to capture emotions that lions in a state of terror are facing. For instance, the musical sequences elevate the Hakuna Matata scene. During this unforgettable scene, Simba sings a melody about finding his place in the world with help from his friends Timone and Pumba. One appreciates musical sequences capturing tensions that lions in frightening situations are facing. Musical sequences are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Robert Wise‘s “The Sound of Music” proved, musical sequences enhance classic musicals about nannies. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Furthermore, the musical score is magnificent. Hans Zimmer’s musical score is integral towards success of the movie. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing heavy burden that lions bear. Through phenomenal production design, Minkoff captures lions that face a decline.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Lion King” is an animated film which is compelling. The movie is beautifully written, and effectively uses symbolism to capture tensions that lions are facing. Throughout the movie, the stars in skies become a symbol of Simba’s strong bond with his father. Stars are a symbol that showcase Simba’s strong bond with his father. For instance, the stars elevate the calling scene. During this unforgettable scene, Simba communicates with his father in stars many years after his devastating death. Through strong symbolism, Minkoff creates a compelling character audiences easily relate to. Symbolism is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Steven Spielberg’s “The Colour Purple” demonstrated, symbolism enhances literary adaptations. Jerry Zucker’s “Ghost” suggested that symbolism elevates commemorated romantic movies about frightening ghosts. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a powerful screenplay, Minkoff captures the lives of commemorated lions facing a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Whoopi Goldberg delivers one of her finest performances as Shenzi. Goldberg earned appreciation playing women experiencing racism in literature adaptations. With “The Lion King”, however, she took on her most colourful role. It isn’t easy to portray an evil hyena facing tragedy but she succeeded tremendously. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, charming and emotional in her most memorable role. Goldberg has always had a commanding voice with a strong sense of authority, and “The Lion King” showcased her strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, she captures angst, menace and greed of a hyena which seeks to overcome tensions. It’s a strong performance from one of the most beloved actresses which is working today.
While the film is mainly a stunning showcase for Goldberg, the supporting cast is fantastic and worthy of appreciation. Jeremy Irons is spectacular, bringing menace to a villainous lion with a scar seeking to destroy a land from afar. James Earl Jones is powerful, capturing the authority of a majestic lion that becomes victim of a frightening tragedy. Lastly, Matthew Broderick merits appreciation. As a lion that seeks to discover identity, he brings heartfelt emotion to the movie.
Finally, “The Lion King” will earn appreciation of everyone for capturing lions that prove to be frightening. Unlike most animated movies that are targeted towards children only, it discusses strong themes everyone will relate to. It tackles relatable themes including identity, grief and trauma which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of lions to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about the importance of finding one’s identity which would definitely resonate with everyone. Therefore, “The Lion King” is one of those rare commemorated animated movies everyone will adore.
Fans of Whoopi Goldberg will definitely enjoy “The Lion King” and so will movie-goers that seek enjoyable entrainment. A spellbinding animated classic, it honours an actress that has built a legacy which is iconic.
Nearly 30 years following the release of a groundbreaking animated film about majestic lions with scars seeking to become kings in a land that’s frightening, it’s a riveting reminder of a commemorated actress that has built a lasting legacy earning a huge fan following for her abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies throughout her illustrious career which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 