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Post by SpellWovenNight on Nov 21, 2009 0:55:05 GMT -5
I love how the film moved so fast up to the point that Mufasa appeared. The pressure completely builds and you feel like you were running with Simba, so that by the time Mufasa appears you're just as breathless as Simba is.
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Post by crazyalice on Nov 21, 2009 2:15:51 GMT -5
It's just one of those few movies I feel is truly close to perfection in every way.
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Post by Silver on Nov 21, 2009 2:35:01 GMT -5
Alice- Have you seen the Musical? If so, what did you think of it?
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Post by crazyalice on Nov 21, 2009 2:38:28 GMT -5
Yes and it was simply amazing. I nearly cried. I kept nudging my sister in excitement. I got great seats too. A row or two behind the orchestra. During the opening number I thought I'd die from contentment.
Also I'm one of those people who feels guilty if I don't clap so I tend to clap half-heartedly when the other audience members start to clap. That night however I was on my feet within seconds of them coming out for the final bow clapping with a huge, contented, goofy grin on my face.
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Post by Silver on Nov 21, 2009 18:25:30 GMT -5
Totally agree with you there. I honestly thought it was such an absurd idea when I first heard about it being adapted into a stage play. I thought for sure my beloved film would be butchered but thankfully the mastermind that is Julie Taymor created a pieve that does justice to the original content. I've been fortunate enough to see it twice. The first time with my mother when I was 15 (we had floor seat at the seventh row) then early this spring with my best friend. (We had balcony seats & to be honest I loved this view more) Each showing was as magical as I expected and then some. I personally always give a standing ovation once the entire cast and ensamble comes up for their final bow. Even if the performances arn't as up to par as I hoped for, it's just out of respect.
If there was one or two songs from the play you wish would have been in the film, what would they be?
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Post by crazyalice on Nov 21, 2009 19:00:51 GMT -5
Shadowland without a doubt. I love Nala and I would have adored the film even more if they developed her character more. In the movie you get the sense she's a strong lioness but Shadowland just cements how brave and courages Nala is and also sheds more light on her decision to leave the Pride Lands in the first place.
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Post by Silver on Apr 9, 2010 12:32:43 GMT -5
Okay for those who wanted an explantaion on Linda Woolverton's disassociation with The Lion King, here it is.
After Linda Woolverton had a successful outcome for her participation on Beauty and the Beast (First woman in history to have written an animated film screen-play and first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture) the studio was adement to put her on another project. After the crictical and finacial success of BatB, the studio executives wanted to keep this reign alive. They felt she had the skill and experience to lead them to another Mega-hit.
Initially after the passing of Howard Ashmen, Linda only wanted to work with Alan Menken if she were to return to Disney. She felt being close to him would secure artistic quality and intelligence. Her next move was to work on Pocahontas (In which Alan would supply the musical score) just as many other artists and musicians were keen to get ahold of that project as many felt it would be the next crictially acclaimed film because of it's historical impact. The Lion King was considered the underdog film as it didn't really have any emotional honesty at the time. It was more of parody to Hamlet and Bambi. The creative staff convinced her this would be the surprising film to audiences and her participation could add a great deal of depth and they began to travel motre into the drama genre. Despite Alan Menken being absent from the project, she gave it a go as she hoped this would be the biggest critical and finacial success Disney had yet to see.
During the midst of the creative development she was beginning to have second thoughts on the intensions of the executives. It appeared Disney was trying to compete and overshadow the success of Beauty and the Beast. This is what she considers her finest piece to date and holds it very close to her heart. It insulted her as she didn't feel they were trying to create a story that was just to touch people. They wanted to be in the record books. She also later claimed there wasn't nearly as much of a collaborative effort as there was on BatB and she felt the story wasn't as poiant or as well crafted. She finished her job on the film as her contract stated but left as soon as it had been complete.
During the release there was a great deal of buzz surrounding the film as to how it would be recieved. Disney executives insisted this would be the classic audiences would adore and critics would hail with praise. She secretly hoped it would'nt perform as well as BatB as it would ensure the quality film had it's rightful place. Only half of her wish came true. As well all pretty much know, TLK went on to become the highest grossing 2-D animated film of all time. Although it had won the Golden Globe for Best Musical or Comedy, it failed to recieve an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Soon after the scandal broke out of Disney plagerizing the material after Kimba: The White Lion, she severed all ties with the creative team. Desptie being asked to co-write the book for The Lion King: The Broadway Musical, she flat-out refused. When later asked what she thought of it's success she said "It's undeserving and medicore!" She also declined to appear on The Lion King DVD release. After recently being asked about her legacy at the Disney studio she said "Beauty and the Beast is her biggest accomplishment as far as her career is concerned and is honored to have been involved." She had no comments for rest of her work. It is uncertain if she will appear on the 2011 Blue-ray and DVD disc release of The Lion King.
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Post by SpellWovenNight on Apr 9, 2010 13:16:59 GMT -5
Wow, that's interesting. Thanks for information!
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Apr 10, 2010 0:26:56 GMT -5
Thanks for posting that. In a sense I feel sorry for Ms. Woolverton. In the end, I think TLK is a much more beloved film that Pocahantas ever will be. I kind of feel like she maybe she doesn't realize how deeply TLK touched people. While I can understand her frustration with some of the executives, I hope she finds peace in her involvement with that film. In my opinion, she left an incredible legacy on two of the most beloved films the Walt Disney Company has ever made and I hope she comes to realize that the commercial success of TLK does not overshadow the success of Beauty and the Beast. I do not think TLK would have achieved what it did financially if not for the incredible artistic achievements of prior films such as BatB and The Little Mermaid.
I think The Lion King would have been a tremendous success no matter when the Studio released it, but had it not followed the films that immediately preceded it, I don't know that it would have been the highest grossing hand drawn film of all time.
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Post by Silver on Apr 10, 2010 2:17:44 GMT -5
Your welcome!
BRP- Correct me if I'm mistaken but didn't you say you haven't seen Pocahontas? If so then how can you compare the two films? In my opinion they're both very "good" films but both have their share of flaws.
I can understand where Ms. Woolverton is coming from. I don't believe she hates the film itself, it's the creative team. (Although I also agree with her BatB was definetley the higher quality film) I think she doesn't want to participate with them as they haven't given her an apology and it probably brings back so many negative memories. Executives on The Lion King have been competing with Beauty and the Beast for years. An example would be the musicals. After BatB became a phenomenonon on Broadway, the creative team of TLK jumped at the chance to top it. In a sense they did as it won the Tony Award for Best Musical as well as five more. It also has been playing since 1997 to sold-out audiences. BatB only took home only one award (Best Costume Design) and had to close back in 2007.
I think she feels the creative team from TLK is hungry for money and attention as opposed to gracefully accepting Beauty and the Beast is considered the more beloved and respected piece. Maybe if they were less competitive, she'd more willing to reconcile. I understand why she no longer wants to associated with the film. I just watched my DVD recently of The Lion King with all the bonus features. Some of the creative member come across as very arrogant as they seem to brag about the film. Watching it almost makes me feel guilty for loving it so much. Granted I don't blame the film as it has touched me for personal reasons. (Nobody ever said your favorite film had to be the finest ever made. Haha!) Yet I can't help but wonder if maybe there were less egotisical people working on the film, Ms. Woolverton would have gladly embraced the material.
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Apr 15, 2010 2:03:36 GMT -5
I wasn't trying to compare the two films. I do think there is a lot of evidence to support my position that TLK is more beloved. The box office numbers and home video/DVD sales are much better for TLK, the success of the Broadway musical, and TLK shows/ attractions/ parades, et all in the theme parks also indicate that TLK has a popularity that extends beyond the film itself. None of that detracts from the merits of Pocahantas or lessens its' meaning to those who like the film. (Indeed most of Disney's best films have not gone on to huge success beyond the silver screen like TLK and BatB).
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Post by Silver on Sept 17, 2011 21:31:43 GMT -5
The Lion King re-release is out! And like I said in the preview thread. It's not only in 3-D! So if you're interested in watching it the theatre, be sure to check your local theatre listings. It's only a two week engagement. I'm not going to do a full review tonight. Too exhausted. I will say this. There is no "Moring Report" in this release! Lion King fans celebrate!
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Sept 17, 2011 23:38:24 GMT -5
Interestingly enough, Human Again was cut out of Beauty and the Beast in 3-D. And I'm not going to be missing Morning Report. It felt tacked on and didn't add to the depth of the story like Human Again.
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Post by Silver on Sept 19, 2011 1:02:14 GMT -5
The Box Office Weekend Winner is.......The Lion King! The seventeen year old hand-drawn animated film has reclaimed the throne. Earning twice as much as the competition ($29 million domestically) the Mega-Hit Disney film left them in the dust. Contagon came in second place at $ 14 million. Considered by many the wild card of the bunch in realeases this past weekend has taken many by surprise. With most of theatres only providing the 3-D expereince (Expensive) and a Blu-ray coming in less then a month. Many of those skeptics have asked- "Why would anybody care for this?" (IMDB.com seems to have the most of those) As somebody who did see it this weekend. Here is my opinion. (I suppose I'm somewhat of a coward for not taking this opinion over to IMDB. But hey, I've tried before. They're just too brtual!) Number one reason? To quote fellow a member of this Board (BRP) "There's nothing like watching a film in the Cinema no matter how good your Blu-ray player is." I was tempted to steal that quote by the way. The Lion King may not be anywhere near the greatest film list. I'm a big enough person to acknowledge that. However it is a great film expereince. The story may not be the most complex nor orginal material. Yet it is an entertaining one with heart. Something Hollywood could use a bit more of these days. The story shifts through various genres and tones seamlessly. When you have a solid foundation there's nothing to really complain about. The visual and musical elements help deepen the impression of this entertaining but touching story. There's a difference between artistic integrity and "Look what we can do" special effects. (I'm talking to you Michael Bay!) The creatvie team has used intergrity in applying the 3-D process. Every drawing, every musical cue and every line from the characters all serve the story. The creators understood how to use this to their advantage in 3-D. Nothing is used simply for showing off. Artistic choices were evidently involved. So when you watch the film as a whole, it's a wonderful experience in the Cinema. A good story, likable or interesting characters, epic score, catchy songs, and lush animation that comes at you in a tasteful way. Sounds like the money was well spent for all the people who wanted relief from their lives for an hour and a half. I know mine was.
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Post by Briar Rose's Dark Knight on Sept 19, 2011 20:31:05 GMT -5
Feel free to use that quote if you'd like. I don't care.
What I'm most excited about is that audiences will flock to see a hand drawn film again. Obviously, it's a known commodity, but Burbank has noticed this. Poor hand drawn films caused Eisner to think hand drawn animation was dead, not the success of filmmakers like Pixar and DreamWorks.
While The Lion King is not a perfect film (not even the remarkable Beauty and the Beast is perfect, though it's pretty close) it has a strong message that resonates with people. Maybe we'll get lucky and this success will prompt to Disney to release these classics more often.
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