*I'll never recover...* THE LION KING (1994) | First Time Watching | (reaction/commentary/review) 

Yes, everyone knows Mufasa's speech about the Circle of Life, but not everyone pays attention to this: Simba finds Mufasa dead AT SUNSET. And since that moment, the sun seemingly doesn't appear over the Pride Land, until Simba takes his legal place as the king

Something I like to mention, Hans Zimmer who did the score for this film, said he was grieving the loss of his own father as he worked on this movie, so he felt he saw himself in Simba and the music he made he really put himself in this to create the emotion, and thinking about it I cry everytime 😭

I am in disbelief that you haven’t seen this. 🍿🥤I’m ready.

Cub Simba trying to wake his dad up after the stampede...I still cry every time.

One subtle detail I love is the lions claws. During the movie, you see them sheated, unless they are fighting or climbing. But there is one exception - Scar. His claws are ALWAYS out, which is part of why even affectionate gestures like ruffling Simba´s head seem so... not right.

It wouldn’t be a children’s movie without a little trauma. 😂

Now please please watch "lion king 2: simbas pride" its so freaking good just like the first one!!! I barely see people reacting to the second one! 😭

Mufasa = James Earl Jones. James Earl Jones = Darth Vader. You're right. What a voice for a king.

The fact that yes, originally it is easy to believe that the fact that Mufasa died because he saved Simba was one reason why you’d think that Simba believed it was his fault that his father died, was actually not the reason Simba himself believed he died. It was because Scar told him to practice his roar, and that’s what Simba believed caused the stampede in the first place that’s the reason he believed it was his fault. Scar made absolutely sure that Simba would feel all that guilt before his own “death”.

“He would make a rather nice throw rug” -Zazu … in the movie Hercules, Scar is in fact a throw rug 😂

1.) Welcome to the Trauma Club 2.) this is the greatest movie EVER made by Disney 3.) the ‘B-team’ animators did this movie while the ‘A-team’ was doing Pocahontas 4.) this is the GREATEST movie EVER made by Disney

It’s been 30 years and seeing Mufasa’s death still gets me. This cast was stacked and all of the voice actors did an impeccable job. RIP Madge Sinclair (Sarabi) and Robert Guillaume (Rafiki).

18:26 “How do you process something like this at that age?” I was born in 1990 and funny enough this movie kind of WAS how I processed death from an early age. My uncle with whom I was very close died from cancer when I was 8 and the later scene with Mufasa’s memory especially helped me cope with it in a huge way.

Disney had little to no faith in this movie during production. They only saw it as "Bambi in Africa", and nothing more. _Pocahontas_ was slated to be THE BIG HIT, while _The Lion King_ would just be this "side project" nobody cared about. When both films came out, _Pocahontas_ was a critical and commercial failure, while _The Lion King_ became, not only a big hit, but a GLOBAL PHENOMENON.

Simba deals with so much as a kid in this movie! In the sequel, part of the film is literally Simba dealing with PTSD 😭

Jeremy Irons was AMAZING as Scar, he's beautifully villainous. I think he's what created my love for villains. Scar or Ursula, probably both. You can't have a good hero without a REAL adversary. On a somber note, this is the only movie that has ever made me cry. I was young, like early primary school age and had sort of equated the idea of my parents and Mufasa so I had a minor existential crisis when he died because I was thinking I'd be just as lost if I lost my parents. Even now it's still a bit sad because the death scene was so well written and is still emotionally charged even on a rewatch. They rarely make stories like this anymore and that's a real shame.

The Lion King (1994): One of the greatest Disney classics of all time… as well as one of the most infamous tearjerkers. How this movie only got a G rating is beyond me. Mufasa's murder and Nala's bedroom face are total PG material.

Lion King 2 is the only Disney movie sequel, which is on par just as good as the 1st one. I would recommend you watching the 2nd one as well.

That line "YOU WON'T GET A SNIFF WITHOUT ME" is such a great tone shift, and shows that even without his army, Scar is still a very scary guy

18:51 Hans Zimmer poured his heart and soul into this soundtrack because he also lost his father when he was very young 😭😭😭

The Hula Song was actually inspired by Nathan Lane ad-libbing the line "What do you want me to do, dress in drag and do the hula?" Then the director liked the line so much that he actually added a scene of Timon doing just that.

Be prepared is one of the best villain songs ever made and with the accompanied visuals Scar just seems like a proper threat to everyone's way of life. He's such a delightful villain and I can't help but love him. I really appreciate how tight and efficient this movie is yet the story never feels rushed. That is not an easy feat.

_The Lion King_ was actually based on *both* Hamlet and Macbeth. The Hyena Trio are an allegory and reference to the three witches in Macbeth and Scar becoming more oppressive, tyrannical, and authoritarian is also a direct reference to Macbeth itself too. Simba’s father’s “ghost” manifesting to him for personal guidance is an allegory to Hamlet.

2:24 One of my favorites gifs is where someone edited that scene and instead of holding Simba up, Rafiki just throws him XD

I read a comment once where someone said that the fight between Simba and Scar had to have been really bad actually, because on the one hand, you have this mangy old half-starved lion, and Simba who's been living off of bugs for years and has no actual skill in fights. They're both super driven and they've got the teeth and claws, but that's about it.

Zazu calls scar's weakness out in their first encounter. He plays with his food, that's how the mouse escapes and how simba escapes, and ultimately how he loses. Also Jeremy irons injured his voice when recording be prepared, the last bit is sung by Jim cummings. Simba calling out to his dad just heightens the trauma. They didn't have to drag it out like that 😢 now I cry before the scene even starts. Also.... there's the amazing animation and music! Now then. The Lion king 2 is a great sequel and deals with Simba's ongoing trauma from his father's death. It is arguably the best Disney sequel.

It doesn't matter how many times I've seen this movie, the scene where Simba finds Mufasa dead in the gorge always gets me in the heart. Especially the fact that Scar gaslights Simba into thinking it was his (Simba's) fault and Johnathan Taylor Thomas' line delivery. Also, I am very glad they cast James Earl Jones as Mufasa. As much as I respect the actor, they almost cast Christopher Walken. Side note: Some of the character's names have meanings translated out of Swahili Simba: Lion Nala: Gift Mufasa: King Sarabi: Mirage Rafiki: Friend Pumbaa: Slow-Witted Zazu: Movement Shenzi: Savage Banzai: Skulk or lurk Taka (Scar's original name): Dirt or Garbage Timon (His name actually comes from Greek): Respect or Honor

If you thought you could never recover, try seeing this in theaters at age 6. 😀😀😀. Such a classic.

This movie has a special place in my heart. Everything is perfect. Do NOT watch the live action (2019). 😊💖🔥

Jeremy Irons and Be Prepared is such an incredible performance, and the fact he went so hard on that song he hurt himself speaks volumes 😂 (no pun intended). It is the second most iconic villain after Hellfire, you are correct, it is indeed a banger.

I actually just went "oh no..buddy.." out loud when i saw this pop up...time to cRY

Mufasa is the same voice as Darth Vader. James Earl Jones! Scar is Jeremy Irons I think. And Zazu is Rowan Atkinson, Mr Bean..Johnny English..etc 😊

I never noticed that Scar wouldn't have known Simba had a baby roar unless he were there during the hyena attack until recently. In the remake, they had to change the premise to Scar taking Simba to the gorge to "find his roar because it's tradition" because he didn't team up with the hyenas until AFTER the initial incident with them. He wouldn't have been there to hear it.

Fun fact: The "dress in drag and do the hula" scene was improv. It was apparently so much better than the original idea that they had the scene redrawn to use that improv voice acting.

17:27 What will make this scene even harder to see, is right about here you can hear the choir singing "Not me, not now, no way. Not me, not now, no, no no no."

The opening alone is just great. The song, the overhead shots, the helicopter like shot zooming in to the mountain And the animation still holds up 30 years later.

Hans Zimmer who wrote the music for this movie also lost his dad. This music was an outlet for his loss, that’s why the music is so freaking touching

I sang “Can’t Wait to be King” in a middle school talent show a few months after it came out. I had on paper ears and drew whiskers on my face with Halloween type face paint. Lol looking back, it’s embarrassing. And it shows my age 😂

I’m glad that I lived long enough to see new generations watching my childhood movies

Fact for you (perhaps not so fun) - The voice actor for Scar actually wrecked his vocal chords singing "Be Prepared", in the part where he says "you won't get a sniff without me".

I remember my mom taking me to see this at a Drive-In Theater back in 1994. Hard to believe it will be 30 years this summer when it was released. Loved being a child growing up in 1990s.

The Scar scene with the hyenas marching. Jørgen Klubien was given the task of illustrating the song "Be Prepared". Apparently while he was listening to it, he was reminded of where he lived in Denmark which was near one of the camps that was part of WWII. He kept thinking down that path and was reminded of the Nürnberg rally, with the marching German soldiers and Hitler's speech. That was how that scene was born and so iconic! Apart from that, Jeremy Irons actually ruined his voice on the "You won't get a sniff without me" sentence. He damaged his vocal cords on the "me" portion of it. So Jim Cummings had to take over 😂 Talk about dedication! I watched this SO many times when it came out in '94... All time fav.

I saw this is theaters when it came out, it's the first memory I have of going to the movies I was 7 at the time and it'd only been a few months since my own father had suddenly been killed by a drunk driver 2 weeks after Christmas. My sisters and I bawled our eyes out when Mufasa died but as we looked around all the kids and parents were crying too. My youngest sister was only 4 and still trying to understand why our Dad wasn't coming back or what death was. I think this movie helped her process it in a way, shortly afterward she asked for a Simba plushy that she slept and carried everywhere with her like a security blanket even to school in her backpack everyday until she was 8. So this movie has a lot of memories for both of us, we played the Lion King game on the Super Nintendo like crazy us two which coincidentally the console was the last Christmas gift we got from our Dad. We also loved the soundtrack a lot and the secondary soundtrack album "Rhythm of the Pride Lands" with the song "He Lives in You", I remember we use to listen to that a lot too.

The stars were align when they made this film. True cinema history, everything is on point, script, animation, score, music, everything.

Fun fact…Scar’s name isn’t actually “Scar”…it’s “Taka” but… “taka” is Swahili for “waste” so……

James Earl Jones voiced Mufasa and Madge Sinclair voiced his mate Sarabi. They also played k8ng and queen in Coming to America.

This is my absolute favorite movie since childhood, with the sequel - The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride - right behind it. There is also a midquel, TLK 1 1/2 (TLK 3 in some countries), which focuses mainly on Timon and Pumbaa.

Fun fact: if you watch Hercules, you'll see Scar's pelt being used

If im not mistaken, Mufasa's voice actor is the same as Darth Vader's, James Earl Jones.

Everybody dumps on Simba at the beginning of the movie for being excited about wanting to be king, but what kid his age thinks about the fact that that would mean his father had to die first? Not to mention, sure he was rubbing it in Scar's face, but not in a mean way. It's like the kid in your class at school that learns he/she are going on a great vacation and wants to share it with their friends, not thinking that their friends might be upset because they don't get to go.

Also fun fact; the Sad stampede scene took 3 years to film 3 years!! ❤️

that moment during the initial confrontation when Scar briefly turns things against Simba is one of my favorite villain moments in Disney

One of my all time favourite films. Simba walking up Pride Rock always gives me goosebumps and makes me cry. The soundtrack for that moment is phenomenal. I really recommend The Lion King 2. It's a direct follow up on this movie and is actually very good for a classic Disney sequel.

Fun fact: Young Simba's singing voice was by Jason Weaver who is known for his portrayal of little Michael Jackson in the movie The Jackson's: An American Dream.

Scar has to be an earthbender given what he did during his song lmao

Watching The Lion King is a rite of passage. When I was a kid I used to watch this movie at least twice per day. My parents couldn't bear it anymore. So glad you finally watched it

One of Hans Zimmer finest work. He didn’t need to go that hard but I think we can all agree the score it’s 50% what makes this film as iconic.

An epic fact that I read about this decades ago was that the cast of the broadway musical of The Lion King were all on a flight coming from somewhere/going somewhere just busted out with the music. Impromptu at its best. Imagine just being on a random flight on a random day and end up getting treated to a free broadway show. Kinda elevates how you think about it a bit. Amazing. Unrelated (sort of), I also heard Alicia Keys set up a free show on a 3 hour ferry ride in New York and random people on just any given ferry ride on any given ferry got treated to a free concert. Some people are just good people.

“Awww they’re so happy. This is a very promising start” BAAAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAAAAAAAHAHAHHAAAAHAAA “What a voice from the king” Yeah that straight James earl jones, darth Vader my guy 🫡✨

one of my favorite movies of all time❤❤ now you HAVE to watch the sequel “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride”

40:46 "Let's Hope this cicle is a little bit easier" The answer to that exist and it's called "The Lion King II: Simba's pride" 100% recomended one of the Best Disney sequels out there. (There's also Lion King 1 1/2 that even if it isn't as good as the other two its a lot of fun and I have a soft spot for it)

And also, the voices casting it´s incredible; starting with Mufasa (James Earl Jones, who was the voice of Darth Vader among another epic roles), and Scar (Jeremy Irons).

Sure, Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones. But more importantly, Simba's parents are the same as Prince Akeem's (Eddie Murphy) in, Coming to America. James Earl Jones and Madge Sinclair. 😎

What I just love about the old disney movies is that they always have this great balance of tragedy and comedy and there is always a lesson to learn. And because of that they are suited for the whole family not just kids. Families would watch these movies together and there would be suspensful and humorous parts for everyone. A little bit of sillyness for the kids and themes which might even hit you only as hard as they do as an adult. Everyone can take something from this movies. I feel like today there is oftentimes too much worry about "what can we show kids, oh no, this is to sad/ brutal/... for a KIDS movie!!" and so they just become silly messes with silly fart and poop jokes without real meaning or scenes which you will remember your whole life.

"The Lion King" has many details in common with "Hamlet", the famous novel by Shakespeare. For me, it´s the best animated film ever, with one of the best OST ever composed (by the great Hans Zimmer). ALWAYS touches my heart in some scenes. It´s a truly masterpiece.

Perfect timing, we have snow in Europe so I think i'll settle down myself, with some cocoa... on my couch and watch this vid :)

Ah yes, Disney at it's peak. Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones, Vader himself. "He'd make a very handsome throw rug". Now go watch Hercules. Lol

This movie came out when I was 2, and it's the reason I never cried during Bambi. Bambi was just like, "Mother? Mottthhhherrrrr?" (deadbeat dad shows up and says to follow him and he wordlessly complies) 😐 versus Simba in tears: "Dad? Come on... you gotta get up. Dad! We gotta go home..." 😭

My absolute favorite Disney movie! The sequel is fantastic also. Another great animated classic is Balto, if you haven’t ever seen it.

Easily the highest-earning traditionally animated movie EVER made, and easily one of the greatest 1990s movies in general. Powerful story, epic soundtrack, impactful score, and incredibly iconic characters that you love immediately, the Lion king is the whole package. I swear i nearly ran my VHS tape of this movie to the bone i watched it so much. Happy 30th Birthday, Simba!

The look in Mufusas eyes says it all oh know Simba is next after that not a dry eye in the audience when this was shown after the "dad get up, we gotta go home" (audience sobbing)😢 19:00 -above all what a movie perfect casting all time great music numbers with catchy songs -you have to watch the music videos to this movie.

This movie is awesome. My dad was put in hospice and then passed away from cancer right as I was starting college so I had to go home for a 2 weeks. When I came back to college I had a ton of stress with assignments to catch up on. One night some guys in my dorm hall invited me to watch a movie with them and I honestly needed a break. They picked Lion King and I was so out of it and in need of a good time I was like “yeah hakuna matata!” Totally forgetting/blanking out the Mufasa fall scene! As it came up I realized it and told them I needed to leave real quick and we all realized why and what was happening. I look back at that moment and laugh at the absurdity but also how that movie did comfort me in a difficult time.

"I kinda know what to expect, and I kinda don't. " NANTS INGONYAMA BAGITHI BABA!!!! "Woah! Dude, that got me!" LOL

Fun fact: Zazu is played by Rowan Atkinson, Mufasa by James Earl Jones, and Shenzi (one of the trio of hyenas) by Whoopi Goldberg!

Ya know...this was a "B" list movie for Disney-they had 2 films in production and they had ALL their top animators and ALL their money into the a"A" list movie and all the B team people on the second film. The "A" list movie which was supposed to kick ass in the box office was Pocahontas. The Lion King was the "B" film that they didn't think would do well at all. Fun Fact-The Lion King was the MOST SUCCESSFUL Movie In Disney history until Frozen.....ps-this is my all time favorite movie.

"Circle of Life" is still, to me, the greatest opening to a film I've seen. It does so much to explain the setting, the story, and gives you this sense of wonder and caring for the world the film is set it.

In case your interested there is a second movie and parallel movie to this one. "The Lion King 1 1/2" is in the perspective of Timon and Pumba and the second movie is "The Lion King: Simba's Pride". I enjoyed watching them both when they came out on VHS, especially the 1 1/2 movie. Also thing I recently realized about this movie is that the "Kings of the Past" movie follow always follow the TRUE king. So when Simba ran away, they followed him and so did the rain, but when Simba came back to take his place the rain followed therefore causing the rain at the end of the movie.

This was the first movie my mom ever took me to go see in the theater. I was 1. She always tells me that I never paid attention to something so closely at that age as I did this movie.

Maybe because of my daddy issues but I never cried with Mufasa's death but I always cry when Simba climbs the rock at the end. It's so beautiful.

Seeing you post today was the highlight of this day. Having a rough day, so this was the kind of treat I needed to make it better. The fact that you haven't seen it was shocking, but so glad to see you enjoy yourself and this classic. From your laughing to tearing up, it was a pure joy watching your reaction. Thank you for posting so many wonderful reactions, it's real treat for us.

I remember seeing this in theaters. And for some reason Rafiki was my favorite character. And I’m not sure why lol. Then I remember a ton of kids at school saying hakuna matata.

Mufasa's death still hunts me even after all these years...

Nathan lane (Timon) totally improvised the “dress in drag and do the hula” and the animators and crew loved it so much they put in there

This is my favorite animated movie! Probably one reason Lions are one of my favorite animals! I really really hope you do the other 2 movies (especially The Lion King 2 Simba's Pride. It's based around another Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet). I know a lot of people aren't big on the 3rd one but I love it (especially since it gives me more of the universe. Don't really consider the series as part of it in my mind just because of the style, changes, and storyline) and it's really fun and enjoyable to see the perspective of Timon and Pumba! I'm pretty sure the animators studied lions in Africa (actually took trips there) and had actual lion cubs brought into the studio so they could get everything right/close to right. They worked for 5 years on this absolutely beautiful film 💜 Growing up in a poor household in the early 2000's we had the big heavy square TV's and VHS players and tapes (have a HUGE collection of tapes) and we had all 3 movies and would watch them constantly! So much so I can basically recite all the dialogue and songs perfectly even to this day 😆 I know people didn't like the live action but I loved it just because it was more of my favorite trilogy and was about my favorite animal (which they did so good with animating realistic looking lions imho). Definitely had a couple...disliked?...changes and I would of LOVED it they got all the original actors back (I know some did pass but would of loved more of the originals back who are still around) but I was still very pleased with what we got and loved it immensely so I hope you can get around to it after doing the rest of the 2D animated ones ☺️

Be Prepared is probably my favorite Disney song The VILLAINY of it Scar planning to Kill his own Brother and King and his nephew and take over the whole Kingdom Scar has this crazy charisma of i know i'm machiavelic and i like it LOOONG LIVE THE KIIIIING !!!!!!!

I was 9 when watching this at the theatre for the first time. Mufasa's death got me crying my eyes out and him showing at Simba in the sky still gives me chills. As people said, Mufasa is James Earl Jones, the Darth Vader voice himself, Zazu is Rowan Atkinson, Mr. Bean. Scar is Jeremy Irons ( Die Hard with a Vengeance, The Man in the Iron Mask). Shenzi, the female hyena is Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost, The Color Purple, Sister Act). Simba is Mathew Broderick (Inspector Gadget, Godzilla). Feel free to watch The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride. Not as great, but very worth it.

My favorite animated movie…it came out the year my son was born and I still remember him sitting in his little foam Lion King chair with his sippy cup watching this VHS movie a gazillion times. My husband and I used to have the remote control close by so we could fast forward past Mufasa’s death scene 🥺 Oh the memories 🥰 Thanks for reacting 😊

This movie is such a classic and yes it is referencing Hamlet! This movie holds up and I don't see it ever losing its spot as one of the best animated movies. Every time I watch it I cry over Mufasa's death. The way Simba cries out for help before snuggling up to his dead father and realizing he's all alone breaks my heart then when he meets Timone and Pumba you can just tell he's given up. As much as I love Scar's character Zazoo was right, he'd make a great throw rug!!!! There is a second movie, Simba's Pride, and imo it holds up pretty well considering how amazing this one is especially the music! And it is also referencing a Shakespeare play, Romeo and Juliet! Highly recommend it even if you just watch it on your own time!

34:59 - this scene lives in my head rent free. It's the PERFECT distraction 😂😂

Hakuna Matata is actually a phrase in Swahili and it does mean no worries and the whole team actually went to Africa to kinda get a picture of how they need to draw it so they could get it as accurate as possible for the movie and they also worked with like a baby lion so they can figure out the movements it moves so they can get Simba correct fox and the hound, Hercules, homeward bound, mighty Joe Young, cool runnings, iron will these aren’t animated, but they’re really really good and homeward bound. I ugly cry I cry quarts

I saw the theatre production of this and was crying within like 5 minutes just from goosebumps 😂

Actually, Timon did hold some grudge towards Simba and Pumba who left to help him to defeat Scar, it was Rafiki who made Timon see there was not hakuna Matata without your true friends on your side.... in the third movie they show another perspective of the movie

Jeremy irons (voice of Scar) couldn't quite get the notes for the last 30 sec of Be Prepared, so they grabbed another voice actor, Jim Cummings, to imitate Iron's voice and get those notes. Cummings is also known as Darkwing Duck and Winne the Pooh.

concerning something you said in your review: finally someone who also loves Treasure Planet - it really deserves SO much more recognition and praise. Also my favourite disney movie to date, and one of my favourite movies in general

It boggles me that you've never seen this, somehow! That said, man, I'd almost love to be in your shoes - experiencing Disney classics for the first time as an adult would be a special type of magical. There's something so very timeless about them, to the point I actually still can't wrap my head around why (other than money) there have been endless live-action remakes. No shade to the people who enjoy them, but I have never found myself thinking one is better than the originals. It's also nice to hear Treasure Planet getting love. It's so obvious it was the creators' darling even if it wasn't well received at the time, and the blend of different animation types in that movie still never fails to impress me. I don't think it'd be my top choice, but it is wholly deserving of being way up there. Editing to add: I've been a silent watcher for a little while now, but I think it's finally time to sub it up. Excited to see more!

Now you should watch the second one it's soo good. People have mixed feelings about it but I absolutely love it 😃

Idk if you know but the voice of Mufasa his name is JAMES EARL JONES. James is also the voice of Darth Vader from Star Wars if you’ve seen those yet. 😊❤ His voice is one of the very few iconic voices of all time! ✨✨✨

My favorite Disney movie fr, it was one of the few I watched back when I was actually the proper age. Scar is my favorite Disney villain along with Be Prepared, best villain song (alongside Friends On the Other Side). Oddly I don't remember being particularly shaken by Mufasa's death. But I do remember watching Simba and Scar's final battle over and over again while recreating it with a giant stuffed animal I had lol

6:00 I wish Disney never removed the morning report song.

The second Lion King is amazing as well. I love it even more than the original personally!