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    • WSR Detailed LaserDisc Review

    Lion King, The
    Genre:Animation

    Reviewed In Issue 16 Of Widescreen Review® Stars:
    The Voices Talents Of Rowan Atkinson, Matthew Broderick, Niketa Calame, Jim Cummings, Whoopi Goldberg, Robert Guillaume, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Moira Kelly, Nathan Lane, Zoe Leader, Cheech Marin, Ernie Sabella, Madge Sinclair & Jonathan Taylor Thomas

    WSR Review Scores
    Picture Rating: 5
    Sound Rating: 5
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    Reference Systems
    Critics' Composite Score:
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    Supplementals

    DVD General Information
    (Studio/Distributor): Walt Disney Home Video
    (Catalog Number): 2977 AS
    (MPAA Rating): G
    (Retail Price): $$29.99
    (Running Time In Minutes): 88
    (Color Type): Color
    (Chaptered/Scene Access): Yes
    (Closed Captioned): Yes
    (Theatrical Release): 1994
    (LD Release Date): 9/1/95
    (THX® Digitally Mastered): Yes

    Credits Information
    (Director): Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff
    (Screenplay/Written By): Irene Mecchi, Jonathan Roberts & Linda Woolverton
    (Story): Barry Johnson, Andy Gaskill, Kevin Harkey, Tom Sito, Rick Maki, Burny Mattinson, Lorna Cook, Gary Trousdale, Jorgen Klubien, Larry Leker, Ed Gombert, Mark Kausler, Thom Enriquez, Jim Capobianco, Chris Sanders, Joe Ranft & Francis Glebas
    (Music): Hans Zimmer
    (Director Of Photography):
    (Production Designer): Chris Sanders
    (Visual Effects):
    (Costume Designer):
    (Editor): Tom Finan & John Carnochan
    (Supervising Sound Editors):
    (Re-Recording Mixers):
    (Executive Producers): Thomas Shumacher & Sarah McArthur
    (Co-Producers): NA
    (Producers): Don Hahn

    DVD Picture Information
    (Principal Photography): Academy Standard Flat
    (Theatrical Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1
    (Measured LaserDisc Aspect Ratio): 1.85:1

    DVD Sound Information
    (DVD Soundtrack): Dolby Digital
    (Theatrical Sound): Dolby Digital
    (Theatrical Re-Issue Soundtrack):
    (Remastered Dolby Digital):
    (Remastered DTS Digital Surround):
    (Additional Languages):

    WSR Narrative Review
    Story Synopsis:
    The project began as a cartoon entitled King Of The Jungle out of which the story developed into a theatrical animation feature. Set amid the majestic beauty of Africa’s Serengeti plain, Disney’s epic coming-of-age saga tells of the love between a proud lion ruler, Mufasa (James Earl Jones), and his son Simba, a naive and curious cub who is the heir to the throne. In the shadows prowls Simba’s envious Uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons) and his hyena followers. Their scheming for the throne leads to tragedy...and Simba’s self exile from the kingdom he should rightfully rule. Befriended by the warmhearted warthog Pumbaa and his manic meerkat companion, Timon, Simba forgets his regal responsibility and adopts the carefree lifestyle of “Hakuna Matata.” Simba comes to learn that he can reclaim his true destiny in the “circle of life” with the help of Rafiki, a wise mystic baboon.

    LaserDisc Picture:
    The visual quality is stunning with exemplary color fidelity. Every hue is rendered rich and vibrant, and blacks are pure, deep, and solid, with not a trace of video noise. Contrast is excellent and images are sharp and detailed. The picture is matted at the 1.85:1 theatrical aspect ratio. The transfer and duplication was supervised under the THX® LaserDisc Program, and the quality is a tribute to their assurance of the highest standard.

    LaserDisc Soundtrack:
    The discrete Dolby AC-3® and matrix Dolby Surround soundtracks are different mixes, but both are terrific. AC-3 has clearer dialogue, greater dynamic contrast between soft and loud, and better localization, while the matrix has a more spacious image.
    (Surround Bass Below 50Hz):
    (Aggressive System Surround):
    (Intense 25Hz Bass):
    (Deep Bass Challenging):
    (Aggressive 0.1 LFE):
    (Holosonic Soundfield):
    (Aggressive Split Surround):
    (Center Back Surround Imaging):
    (Directionalized Dialogue):
    Superb Sound Effects Recording Quality:
    Superb Music Score Recording Quality:
    Superb Special Visual Effects Quality:
    Superb Color Fidelity:
    Superb Cinematography:
    Reference LaserDisc:
    Collector Edition: