New On Video: 'Lion King 1½,' More
'King,' 'Secondhand Lions' Roar With Satisfaction
POSTED: 1:06 p.m. EST February 12, 2004
"The Lion King 1 ½" (G): There's no better way of putting it -- "The Lion King ½," the latest made-for-video tale spawned from animated Disney classic "The Lion King," is a roaring success.
It's difficult to define what the film is in a single word. It's not a sequel to "The Lion King" -- we already got that with the made-for-video release of "The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride." And it's not necessarily a prequel either.
Instead, "The Lion King 1 ½" is essentially a retelling of the original tale from the perspectives of Timon (the voice of Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), and delves into Timon's past, to boot. In the end, think of sandwiching in new scenes in "The Lion King," and that's what you get with "Lion King 1½."
Although the film is a retelling of the first, it's a lot more lighthearted and funnier this time around; naturally that's because two of the funniest characters from the first film -- Timon and Pumbaa -- are much more prominent in the story.
It's not so much about the teachings of the Great Circle of Life as it is about the duo's funny exploits. With that you're bound to occasionally get the sort of humor (flatulence) that appeals more to the young kids, but it hardly takes away from a very entertaining movie -- a movie, in fact, that's just as humorous for adult viewers.
Disney has obviously taken great care in protecting the integrity of its "Lion King" franchise and it's most evident by rehiring the core voice cast again for this second made-for-video adventure.
In addition to Lane and Sabella, Matthew Broderick has returned again as the adult Simba and the likes of Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi), Cheech Marin (Banzai), Moira Kelly (Nala) and Robert Guillaume (Rafiki) are back, too. New to the mix are Timon's Ma and Uncle Max, voiced by the always-funny Julie Kavner and Jerry Stiller, respectively. Of course, a great script makes the performers all the better.
While "The Lion King 1 ½" is no doubt there in soul, most importantly, it's there in body, too. The animation is top-notch; much more akin to what you'd get from a theatrical release than some of Disney's underwhelming made-for-video sequels like "Tarzan and Jane." It only makes sense: If you're going to retell "The Lion King" -- new perspective or not-- it better look good. And it does. It's as good as a follow-up film gets.
DVD Features: The two-disc set includes interactive games; deleted scenes; a making-of featurette; a mockumentary feature ("Timon: Beyond the Legend") and more. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)
'Secondhand Lions' (PG): Don't let the title confuse you -- "Secondhand Lions" is not a sequel to any of the "Lion King" movies nor is it a rehash of any other famous lion movies like "Born Free." Instead, "Secondhand Lions" is a freeing experience in itself, harking back to the golden age of moviemaking in its purity, that's every bit as entertaining as it is educational. It's a wonderful, family-friendly coming-of-age story.
Haley Joel Osment ("The Sixth Sense") stars as Walter, the preteen son of an irresponsible single mother (Kyra Sedgwick) who's shoved off to his wealthy, eccentric uncles Garth (Michael Caine) and Hub (Robert Duvall) for the summer. Shy and introverted at first, Walter begins to emerge from his shell by hearing about the past glories of his uncles, who in turn are energized by Walter's youthful spirit and curiosity.
A film that had a lukewarm reception in theaters, "Secondhand Lions" should find a much more receptive audience on home video. Set on a farm in the "good ole days," it's not about things being blown up (which may partially explain why some people ignored it), but the core actors, Osment, Caine and Duvall deliver firecracker performances.
And that's what makes the movie so grand: instead of being a sappy tearjerker, the characters are a bit gruff and rough around the edges. When it comes to teaching life's lessons, Hub and Garth refer to their time in the school of hard knocks. That's not to say you won't cry - there's quite a bit of sentiment, too. The "secondhand lion" as referred to in the title is a real character, which becomes the basis for a metaphor near the end of the film.
DVD Features: Audio commentary by writer-director Tim McCanlies; deleted and alternate scenes; making-of featurettes and more. (New Line Home Entertainment)
It's difficult to define what the film is in a single word. It's not a sequel to "The Lion King" -- we already got that with the made-for-video release of "The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride." And it's not necessarily a prequel either.
Instead, "The Lion King 1 ½" is essentially a retelling of the original tale from the perspectives of Timon (the voice of Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), and delves into Timon's past, to boot. In the end, think of sandwiching in new scenes in "The Lion King," and that's what you get with "Lion King 1½."
Although the film is a retelling of the first, it's a lot more lighthearted and funnier this time around; naturally that's because two of the funniest characters from the first film -- Timon and Pumbaa -- are much more prominent in the story.
It's not so much about the teachings of the Great Circle of Life as it is about the duo's funny exploits. With that you're bound to occasionally get the sort of humor (flatulence) that appeals more to the young kids, but it hardly takes away from a very entertaining movie -- a movie, in fact, that's just as humorous for adult viewers.
Disney has obviously taken great care in protecting the integrity of its "Lion King" franchise and it's most evident by rehiring the core voice cast again for this second made-for-video adventure.
In addition to Lane and Sabella, Matthew Broderick has returned again as the adult Simba and the likes of Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi), Cheech Marin (Banzai), Moira Kelly (Nala) and Robert Guillaume (Rafiki) are back, too. New to the mix are Timon's Ma and Uncle Max, voiced by the always-funny Julie Kavner and Jerry Stiller, respectively. Of course, a great script makes the performers all the better.
While "The Lion King 1 ½" is no doubt there in soul, most importantly, it's there in body, too. The animation is top-notch; much more akin to what you'd get from a theatrical release than some of Disney's underwhelming made-for-video sequels like "Tarzan and Jane." It only makes sense: If you're going to retell "The Lion King" -- new perspective or not-- it better look good. And it does. It's as good as a follow-up film gets.
DVD Features: The two-disc set includes interactive games; deleted scenes; a making-of featurette; a mockumentary feature ("Timon: Beyond the Legend") and more. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment)
'Secondhand Lions' (PG): Don't let the title confuse you -- "Secondhand Lions" is not a sequel to any of the "Lion King" movies nor is it a rehash of any other famous lion movies like "Born Free." Instead, "Secondhand Lions" is a freeing experience in itself, harking back to the golden age of moviemaking in its purity, that's every bit as entertaining as it is educational. It's a wonderful, family-friendly coming-of-age story.
Haley Joel Osment ("The Sixth Sense") stars as Walter, the preteen son of an irresponsible single mother (Kyra Sedgwick) who's shoved off to his wealthy, eccentric uncles Garth (Michael Caine) and Hub (Robert Duvall) for the summer. Shy and introverted at first, Walter begins to emerge from his shell by hearing about the past glories of his uncles, who in turn are energized by Walter's youthful spirit and curiosity.
A film that had a lukewarm reception in theaters, "Secondhand Lions" should find a much more receptive audience on home video. Set on a farm in the "good ole days," it's not about things being blown up (which may partially explain why some people ignored it), but the core actors, Osment, Caine and Duvall deliver firecracker performances.
And that's what makes the movie so grand: instead of being a sappy tearjerker, the characters are a bit gruff and rough around the edges. When it comes to teaching life's lessons, Hub and Garth refer to their time in the school of hard knocks. That's not to say you won't cry - there's quite a bit of sentiment, too. The "secondhand lion" as referred to in the title is a real character, which becomes the basis for a metaphor near the end of the film.
DVD Features: Audio commentary by writer-director Tim McCanlies; deleted and alternate scenes; making-of featurettes and more. (New Line Home Entertainment)Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
