The Lion King (Diamond Edition) - Blu-Ray Review

tFirst off The Lion King is my favorite classic Disney film. When I heard they were re-releasing it 3D, I said they're just milking it for more money. Which they sorta did. But, When I went and saw it, I was mesmerized at how much I had forgotten.


Scale is on a 10 point scale
Movie    -    9.5
Picture   -    10
Audio    -    9.5
Extras    -    6.5
Average -   8.9/10

Upon entering into the main title screen, I saw a great presentation of the picture quality that was to come. I went through the menus and and finally went on to press play. There were options to play the movie with "Disney Second Screen", which I've never played with. And there was also a Sing-A-Long version of the film, that will defiantly be a hit with the kids.

The Lion King jumps off the screen with the amazing restoration given to this classic. Disney has updated this classic with an aspect ration of 1.85:1, a video codec of MPEG-4 AVC, and full 1080p presentation.
Now, I didn't get to experience the full experience of the 1080p presentation, because I have an older 720p rear projection. But I do stand by what I say, the picture/ restoration is outstanding, the full blow of the colors and bright images. 

The audio on the other hand of DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 Surround Sound, sounded magnificent even though I only had a 5.1 surround sound system. The action scenes as well as the song scenes were well beyond greatness.

I give Disney's latest my greatest appreciation and my overall Recommendation.

Here is a outline of all the features on the disc:

• Disney Second Screen (HD): Sync The Lion King and your computer or iPad with this downloadable app to enjoy content including interactive games, storyboards and concept art from the film, animation tests and more.
• Audio Commentary: Producer Don Hahn and co-directors Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff deliver a lively audio commentary sure to delight fans of the film. Don't look for it in the "Bonus Features" menu, though. It only appears as an option after selecting "Play Movie."
• Pride of The Lion King (HD, 38 minutes): This excellent recently produced Lion King retrospective features executive producer Thomas Schumacher, former chairman of Walt Disney Studios Jeffrey Katzenberg, former president of Walt Disney Feature Animation Peter Schneider, co-directors Rob Minkoff and Roger Allers, producer Don Hahn, composer Hans Zimmer and other notable members of the cast and crew discussing the film, its production and its legacy.
• The Lion King: A Memoir - Don Hahn (HD, 20 minutes): Don Hahn, circa 2011, takes a look back at Don Hahn, circa 1994, and charts the development, creation and release of The Lion King.
• Disney's Virtual Vault (SD, 109 minutes): While a variety of extras from the previously releases of The Lion King aren't housed physically on the disc, they are available via Disney's online "Virtual Vault." Treat yourself to "The Making of The Morning Report" (3 minutes); additional deleted scenes including "Bug Football," "Hakuna Matata" and "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" (5 minutes); six "Musical Journey" featurettes (20 minutes); a "Circle of Life" music video with Elton John (5 minutes); five "Stage Journey" featurettes (17 minutes); seven "Film Journey" featurettes (32 minutes); three "Story Journey" featurettes (12 minutes); a "Storyboard to Film Comparison" (4 minutes); two "Early Concepts," "Timon & Pumbaa Find Simba" and "Simba's Presentation" (7 minutes); and an abandoned scene, "Warthog Rhapsody" (4 minutes). It isn't as ideal as a second disc full of archive special features, but completists will appreciate its inclusion nonetheless.
• Deleted & Alternate Scenes (HD, 15 minutes): Allers and Minkoff introduce five deleted and alternate scenes: "Zazu Flatters Mufasa," "King of the Wild," "Scar Wants Nala As His Queen," "Simba and Nala Reunited" and "Zazu Flatters Scar."
• The Morning Report (HD, 3 minutes): This extended scene, created for the previously released Platinum Edition DVD, brings a song written for the musical stage to animated life.
• Bloopers & Outtakes (HD, 4 minutes): Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa, Scar and the rest of the Pride Lands gang flub lines, pull hamstrings and miss their marks in this animated gag reel.
• Interactive Art Gallery (HD): Hundreds of images are spread across four galleries: "Character Design," "Visual Development," "Storyboards" and "Layouts and Backgrounds."
• Sing-Along Mode (HD): Sing along with the film's songs, karaoke style.
• Sneak Peeks (HD, 12:15): Trailers for Lady and the Tramp, The Muppets, Cars 2, African Cats, Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast: The Enchanted Christmas, Tinker Bell and the Pixie Hollow Games, The Lion King 2: Simba's Pride, The Lion King 1½, Prep and Landing: Naughty vs. Nice, Broadway's The Lion King, Treasure Buddies and Tinker Bell and the Secret of the Wings top off the package.

The Lion King is also available in the following releases:

- The Lion King, 3D Blu-Ray

       - Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy - The Lion King, DVD Packaging       - DVD + Blu-Ray - The Lion King 3D Trilogy       - Blu-ray 3D + Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy             - The Lion King (3D & 2D), The Lion King 2: Simbas Pride (2D), The Lion King 1 1/2 (2D)