The Lion King 1½
The Lion King 1½ | |
---|---|
![]() DVD cover | |
Directed by | Bradley Raymond |
Screenplay by | Tom Rogers |
Based on | |
Produced by | George A. Mendoza |
Starring | |
Edited by | Joyce Arrastia |
Music by | Don L. Harper |
Production company | |
Distributed by | Walt Disney Home Entertainment |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 83 minutes[2] |
Country | United States[1] |
Language | English |
The Lion King 1½(known internationally asThe Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata) is a 2004 American animated direct-to-videomusical comedy filmproduced byDisneyToon Studiosand released theatrical release on February 10, 2004. The third installment in theLion Kingfranchise,the film is both aprequeland asidequeltoThe Lion King,focusing on the supporting charactersTimon and Pumbaa.A majority of the voice cast from the first film returns to reprise their roles, includingNathan LaneandErnie Sabellaas the voices of Timon and Pumbaa, respectively. The film's structure is inspired byTom Stoppard'sRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,a tragicomedy that tells the story ofHamletfrom the point of view oftwo minor characters.The Lion King 1½received generally positive reviews from critics.
Plot
[edit]While watchingThe Lion Kingin a home movie theater,Timon and Pumbaadecide to cut away from the action to tell their own story, which began some time prior to the events of the original film.
Timon describes his upbringing as a social outcast in ameerkatcolony on the outskirts of the Pride Lands with hisMaandUncle Max.One day, his daydreaming leads to ahyenaattack, and the ostracized Timon decides to leave the colony. The mandrillRafikiteaches him the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata"and advises him to" look beyond what you see. "Timon takes this advice literally, and, observing Pride Rock in the distance, sets out in that direction. Timon encounters Pumbaa, and learning that he has a"special power"that keeps predators away, invites him along on the journey.
The pair arrive at Pride Rock during the presentation ofSimbato the animals of the Pride Lands, and as they make their way through the crowd, Pumbaa passes gas, causing the nearby animals to faint and prompting animals further away to bow to Simba. Attempting to set up their home, the pair witness the dramatic ending of "I Just Can't Wait to Be King,"the chase through the Elephant Graveyard, and the wildebeest stampede that kills Mufasa.
Escaping the stampede, the pair are sent down a river and over a waterfall. Exhausted, Timon suggests giving up and going home. Pumbaa admits that he doesn't have a home, and the pair realize they are each other's only friends. They suddenly discover that the river has deposited them in a lush green jungle: their dream home. The pair settle there, embracing "Hakuna Matata" as their philosophy. Meanwhile, Timon's mother and Uncle Max leave the colony in search of Timon.
As depicted in the original film, Timon and Pumbaa rescue Simba and raise him under their philosophy. Years later, Simba's childhood friendNalaappears and reunites with him. Believing the trio's friendship to be in jeopardy, Timon and Pumbaa attempt to sabotage their burgeoning romance, and believe they have succeeded when they see the two get into an argument. The next day, Nala explains that Simba has returned home to challenge Scar and reclaim his rightful place as king. Pumbaa follows him, but Timon, angry that Simba has seemingly discarded their philosophy, refuses to help. Timon soon becomes lonely without his friends' company, and Rafiki helps him realize that his true Hakuna Matata is with the ones he loves. Timon catches up and reconciles with Pumbaa.
After helping to distract the hyenas with a hula dance, Timon and Pumbaa run into Ma and Uncle Max in the Pride Lands. Seeing the hyenas advancing on Simba and Scar, Timon proposes that they all help Simba by getting rid of the hyenas for good. Ma and Uncle Max construct a series of tunnels beneath the hyenas while Timon and Pumbaa stall for time. Max collapses the tunnels, breaking the ground under the hyenas. Timon breaks the final support beam himself and the hyenas are ejected through the tunnels. Simba accepts his place as the rightful king of the Pride Lands, thanking Timon and Pumbaa for their help. Timon invites Ma, Uncle Max, and the rest of the meerkat colony to live in the jungle with him and Pumbaa to complete his Hakuna Matata; the colony praise him as their hero.
Disappointed that the movie is over, Pumbaa asks Timon if they can start from the beginning. Timon initially declines, but his family, Simba, Rafiki, and a host of characters from other Disney media flood the theater and persuade him to rewind it. As the film starts again, Pumbaa suddenly becomes nervous about the size of the crowd.
Voice cast
[edit]- Nathan LaneasTimon,ameerkatwho is Pumbaa's best friend. Though somewhat selfish, arrogant, and withdrawn, Timon shows courageous loyalty towards his friends.
- Ernie SabellaasPumbaa,awarthogwho is Timon's best friend. Though slow-witted, he is veryempatheticand willing to trust and befriend anyone. He is alsoclaustrophobicand passes gas in crowds.
- Julie KavnerasMa,a meerkat and Timon's caring but overprotective mother.
- Jerry StillerasMax,a meerkat and Timon'sparanoid,eccentric, but kind-hearted uncle.
- Matthew BroderickasSimba,alionand Timon and Pumbaa's second best friend and adopted son.
- Matt Weinberg voices Simba as a cub. Weinberg replacesJonathan Taylor Thomasfrom the original film.
- Robert GuillaumeasRafiki,amandrillorbaboonormonkeyandshamanof the Pride Lands who teaches Timon the philosophy of "Hakuna Matata".
- Moira KellyasNala,alionessand Simba's childhood friend.
- Whoopi Goldberg,Cheech MarinandJim CummingsasShenzi, Banzai and Ed,a trio ofspotted hyenaswho act as the local predators of Timon's meerkat colony before their allegiance with Scar.
- Edward HibbertasZazu,ared-billed hornbilland themajordomoto Mufasa and later Simba. Hibbert previously voiced Zazu inThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride,replacingRowan Atkinsonfrom the original film.
- Jason Rudofsky as Flinchy, a meerkat from Timon's colony
Appearing but silent are Simba's fatherMufasa,motherSarabiand uncleScar.
Tony Anselmo,Jeff Bennett,Corey Burton,Cam Clarke,Bill Farmer,Shaun Fleming,Carolyn Gardner,Bob Joles,Tress MacNeille,Alex Manugian,Del Roy,Chris Sanders,Kevin Schon,Blayne Weaver,and Andrea Wolfson are all credited as providing "additional voices," many of them reprising roles from other Disney media in the final cameo-packed scene. Speaking and non-speaking characters seen in silhouette in this scene includeMickey Mouse,Snow Whiteand theSeven Dwarfs,Belle,theBeast,Mrs. Potts,Chip,theGenie,Aladdin,Jasmine,theMagic Carpet,Lady,theTramp,Hyacinth Hippo,Stitch,Goofy,theMad Hatter,theMarch Hare,Donald Duck,Tinker Bell,Peter Pan,theLost Boys,Mowgli,Baloo,Hugo,Victor,Laverne,Terk,Dumbo,Flora,Fauna,Merryweather,andB'rer Bear.
Production
[edit]In April 2000, it was announced that the Walt Disney Company had selected Jeff Ahlholm, Colin Goldman, and Tom Rogers to write the script forThe Lion King 3.It was scheduled to arrive in video stores sometime in 2001.[3]Bradley Raymond,who had previously directedPocahontas II: Journey to a New World(1998) andThe Hunchback of Notre Dame II(2002), came on board as director. He recalled that it was then-Disney Feature Animation presidentThomas Schumacher's idea to "retellLion Kingthrough the eyes of Timon and Pumbaa ".[4]Additionally,Roger AllersandIrene Mecchi,who directed and co-wrote the screenplay forThe Lion Kingrespectively, consulted on the production.[5]According to Raymond, it was Allers who came up with theMystery Science Theater 3000–inspired framing of the film.[4]Furthermore, the filmmakers drew inspiration fromTom Stoppard's playRosencrantz and Guildenstern are Deadas the firstLion Kingfilm had drawn inspiration fromHamlet.[6]
In May 2003,The Lion King1+1⁄2was scheduled for home video release in early spring 2004 withNathan Lane,Ernie Sabella,andMatthew Broderickreprising their original roles, andElton JohnandTim Ricereturning to compose a new song, "That’s All I Need" which based on "The Warthog Rhapsody" which was deleted from the original film.[7]
The film was animated byWalt Disney Animation Australiain Sydney, New South Wales and Disneytoon Studios in the United States.
Release
[edit]Upon its initial home video release,The Lion King1+1⁄2was accompanied by a marketing campaign tie-in withMcDonald'swith six Happy Meal toys: Simba, Rafiki, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa and Ed.[8](This same promotion was used in international countries for the Special Edition release of the firstLion Kingwith two additional toys featuring Zazu and Scar.) Internationally, the film was released theatrically.
TheDVDedition contains music videos, deleted scenes, behind-the-scenes views of how the movie was made, and two featurettes:Timon -- The Early Years;amockumentarytracing Timon's childhood through tongue-in-cheek interviews with family and friends; andDisney's Funniest Moments,highlighting Disney animated characters from theSeven DwarfstoBrother Bear.Three games are also featured, including:Timon and Pumbaa's Virtual Safari 1.5,aLion Kingtrivia game in the format ofWho Wants to Be a Millionaire,titledWho Wants to Be King of the Jungle?,and hosted byMeredith Vieira,then-host of theU.S. syndicated versionand a find the face game which shows pictures of several Disney Characters coming to watch Timon and Pumbaa's movie.[7]The Lion King1+1⁄2was released on February 10, 2004. Internationally, it was titledThe Lion King 3: Hakuna Matata.[9][10]
On its first day of sales, the film sold 1.5 million DVD copies,[11]and in its first three days of release the film generated about $55 million in sales revenue, 2.5 of which were DVD copies of the film.[12]By March 2004, six million DVD andVHScopies of the film had been sold in North America.[13]More than 30 percent of the title's sales were from the Latino market.[14]Later that year, the movie was released as part of a 3-moviebox setalong withThe Lion KingandThe Lion King II: Simba's Prideon December 6. On January 31, 2005, the film, along with its predecessors, went back into moratorium.[15]
The film was first released onBlu-rayas part of an eight-disc box set on October 4, 2011, along with the other two films.[16]The movie later received a separate Blu-ray release as well as a standard DVD release on March 6, 2012, along withThe Lion King II: Simba's Pride.[17]The Blu-ray and DVD releases, along withSimba's Prideand the Diamond Edition release ofThe Lion King,wereremoved from releaseon April 30, 2013.[18]
The film was re-released byWalt Disney Studios Home Entertainmenton a Blu-ray combo pack and digital release along withThe Lion King II: Simba's Prideon August 29, 2017 — the same day as the first film's Signature Edition was released.
Reception
[edit]OnRotten Tomatoes,the film has an approval rating of 76% based on 17 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10.[19]
Frank Lovece ofTV Guidegave the film3+1⁄2stars out of 4 stating that "This retelling ofThe Lion King(1994) from the point of view of comic sidekicksTimon(voice ofNathan Lane) andPumbaa(Ernie Sabella) is one of the rare Disney direct-to-video sequels worthy of the original. "He went on to say that 'the only aspect of the film that feels forced is the revisionist positioning of Timon as young Simba's step-dad, which has no emotional echo in the first film. The quality of the animation is surprisingly impressive; some static backgrounds are the primary concession to a small-screen budget and the fluid character movements and expressions are vastly superior to those of, say,The Lion King's Timon and PumbaaTV cartoon series.' "[20]Joe LeydonofVarietygave the film a positive review, writing "toddlers and preschoolers will be equally enchanted and amused by colorful toon shenanigans."[21]Los Angeles Timesarticle writer Susan King wrote that "Because Disney's made-for-video sequels to their classic animated films have been mediocre at best, expectations for this new sequel to the mouse house's 1994 blockbuster were slim. But thanks to a clever story line, snappy dialogue that kids and adults will enjoy, a couple of decent new songs and the return of the original voice actors,Lion King1+1⁄2is an irreverent gas. "[22]
Many reviewers have suggested that the film was influenced by theTom StoppardplayRosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead,which followsRosencrantz and Guildenstern,two minor characters from Shakespeare's playHamlet,and details their experiences taking place during the same time as the events ofHamlet,similar to what the film does withits predecessor,which has been similarly compared toHamlet.[21][23][24][25]Screenwriter Tom Rogers confirmed that this was intentional in a 2019 interview, adding that the film'sframe storywas inspired byMystery Science Theater 3000.[6]
Soundtrack
[edit]The Lion King1+1⁄2:Songs From Timon and Pumbaa's Hilarious Adventure | |
---|---|
Soundtrack albumby Various Artists | |
Released | February 10, 2004 |
Genre | R&B,Pop,world,soundtrack |
Length | 22:52 |
Label | Walt Disney |
The film's soundtrack album contains two original songs: "Diggah Tunnah", written by Seth Friedman and Martin Erskine, and "That's All I Need", written byElton JohnandTim Rice,who had worked on the first film. The latter song, which is performed byNathan Lanein the film, is largely based on a deleted song fromThe Lion Kingtitled "The Warthog Rhapsody", with which it shares a similar melody.[4]
The film features the song "Hakuna Matata"from the first film, which is featured both as the original soundtrack recording in the soundtrack album and in the film as a new cover performed by Lane andErnie Sabella.The soundtrack also consists of various covers ofpopsongs, such asThe Friends of Distinction's "Grazing in the Grass"performed byRaven-Symoné,Kool and the Gang's "Jungle Boogie"performed by Drew K. andthe French,and "The Lion Sleeps Tonight"(which appears briefly in the original film as well) byLebo MVinx(and with sampled vocals from Lebo M) performed "Diggah Tunnah Dance". Other featured songs not on the soundtrack include "Sunrise, Sunset"from the musicalFiddler on the Roofand theeponymous theme songfrom the television showPeter Gunncomposed byHenry Mancini.
The film contains an original score composed byDon L. Harper,and also featuresEnnio Morricone'sinstrumental themefrom theSergio LeonefilmThe Good, the Bad and the Ugly.[26]
- Track listing
No. | Title | Artist | Length |
---|---|---|---|
1. | "Grazing in the Grass" | Raven-Symoné | 2:59 |
2. | "Diggah Tunnah Dance" | Lebo MandVinx | 3:53 |
3. | "That's All I Need" | Nathan Lane | 2:29 |
4. | "Hakuna Matata" | Nathan Lane,Ernie Sabella,Jason WeaverandJoseph Williams | 3:33 |
5. | "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" | Lebo M | 3:35 |
6. | "Jungle Boogie" | Drew K. andthe French | 3:20 |
7. | "Timon's Traveling Theme" | Don L. Harper | 1:20 |
8. | "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" | Ennio Morricone | 1:43 |
Total length: | 22:52 |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Year | Award | Category | Nominees | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2005 | Annie Awards | Best Home Entertainment Production | The Lion King 1½ | Won |
Music in an Animated Feature Production | The Lion King 1½ | Nominated | ||
DVD Exclusive Awards | Best Animated Character Performance | Nathan Lane(voice) Alexis Stadermann (animator)
|
Won | |
Best Animated DVD Premiere Movie | The Lion King 1½ | Won | ||
Best Director (of a DVD Premiere Movie) | Bradley Raymond | Won | ||
Best Editing (of a DVD Premiere Movie) | Joyce Arrastia | Won | ||
Best Screenplay (for a DVD Premiere Movie) | Tom Rogers | Won | ||
Saturn Award | Best DVD Release | The Lion King 1½ | Nominated |
Video game
[edit]Avideo gamebased on the film was published in 2003 for theGame Boy Advance,featuring Timon and Pumbaa as the playable characters.[27][28]
References
[edit]- ^ab"The Lion King 1 1/2 (2004)".Allmovie.Archivedfrom the original on May 14, 2019.RetrievedMay 18,2020.
- ^"The Lion King 1½".Disney+.Archivedfrom the original on 17 May 2020.Retrieved4 January2022.
- ^Lyons, Charles (April 12, 2000)."Disney taps cubs to pen direct-to-vid 'Lion King 3'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 24, 2014.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
- ^abcAlter, Rebecca (April 27, 2022)."Lion King 1½ Makes Sense If You Were Raised on Home Video".Vulture.Archivedfrom the original on April 27, 2022.RetrievedMay 25,2022.
- ^Armstrong, Josh (October 8, 2011)."Allers & Minkoff: The Legacy of The Lion King".Animated Views(Interview).Archivedfrom the original on November 17, 2015.RetrievedMay 25,2022.
- ^abSpencer, Keith A. (August 10, 2019)."We just solved a major mystery in the Lion King franchise".Salon.com.Archivedfrom the original on August 10, 2019.RetrievedAugust 10,2019.
- ^abVilla, Joan (May 9, 2003)."Dis fills 'Lion' gaps with '1 1/2'".The Hollywood Reporter.Archived fromthe original(Fee required)on October 31, 2014.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
- ^DeMott, Matt (February 5, 2004)."McDonald's Happy Meals Feature Lion King 1 1/2 Toys".Animation World Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on October 10, 2016.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
- ^"Disney DVD and Video Newsletter - The Lion King 1½" On DVD And Video February 10 ".Disney. February 2004.Archivedfrom the original on August 14, 2011.Retrieved4 March2017.
- ^Ball, Ryan (February 10, 2004)."Lion King 1 1/2 Continues Circle of Life".Animation Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2017.RetrievedMarch 4,2017.
- ^Ball, Ryan (February 12, 2004)."Lion King 1 1/2 Sells 1 1/2 Million".Animation Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on March 5, 2017.RetrievedMarch 4,2017.
- ^Herrick, Scott (February 15, 2004)."'Lion' sequel DVD roaring ".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on December 26, 2014.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
- ^Ball, Ryan (March 2, 2004)."Lion King 1 1/2 Tops 2004 Sales".Animation Magazine.Archivedfrom the original on March 5, 2017.RetrievedMarch 4,2017.
- ^Wolf, Jessica (April 7, 2005)."Home Video Speaks Latinos' Language".hive4media.com.Archived fromthe originalon April 13, 2005.RetrievedSeptember 29,2019.
- ^"Out of Print Disney DVDs".UltimateDisney.com.6 February 2012.Archivedfrom the original on 2014-09-08.Retrieved2014-08-25.
- ^"Audiences to Experience Disney's" The Lion King "Like Never Before"(Press release). Walt Disney Pictures. May 26, 2011.Archivedfrom the original on May 30, 2011.RetrievedMay 26,2011– viaPR Newswire.
- ^Lui, Ed."Lion King 1 1/2" and "Lion King 2" Coming to Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital on March 6, 2012 ".Toon Zone.Archived fromthe originalon February 2, 2012.
- ^"The Lion King 1 1/2".Disney Movies Anywhere.Archivedfrom the original on 2017-08-09.Retrieved2016-06-15.
- ^"The Lion King 1½ (2004)".Rotten Tomatoes.Fandango Media.Archivedfrom the original on June 16, 2013.RetrievedMay 25,2022.
- ^"The Lion King 1 1/2".TV Guide.
- ^abLeydon, Joe(February 10, 2004)."Review: 'The Lion King 1½'".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on September 4, 2014.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
- ^King, Susan (February 12, 2004)."Rip-roaring 'Lion' retelling".Los Angeles Times.Archivedfrom the original on May 25, 2022.RetrievedAugust 24,2014.
- ^Churnin, Nancy (February 17, 2004)."Catch the 'King' when he was a cub".Dallas Morning News.Archived fromthe originalon November 4, 2012.
- ^Willman, Chris (February 20, 2004)."The Lion King 1½".Entertainment Weekly.Archivedfrom the original on November 22, 2015.RetrievedFebruary 20,2004.
- ^"The Lion King 1½".VideoHound's Golden Movie Retriever.Archived fromthe originalon 2014-03-23.
- ^"Lion King 1 1/2 Original Soundtrack".AllMusic.Archivedfrom the original on July 18, 2017.RetrievedJune 21,2017.
- ^"The Lion King 1½Game Boy Advance info/review ".GameSpot.Archived fromthe originalon August 8, 2009.RetrievedAugust 7,2008.
- ^Disney Interactive (October 7, 2003)."Kids Play inside the World of Hakuna Matata withDisney's The Lion King 1 1/2for Game Boy Advance andDisney's The Lion King PC Game Collection".Business Wire.Archivedfrom the original on March 4, 2017.RetrievedMarch 4,2017.
External links
[edit]![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- 2004 films
- 2004 animated films
- 2004 children's films
- 2004 direct-to-video films
- 2000s adventure films
- 2000s American animated films
- 2000s buddy comedy films
- 2000s musical comedy films
- 2000s adventure comedy films
- American adventure comedy films
- American children's animated adventure films
- American children's animated comedy films
- American children's animated musical films
- American films with live action and animation
- American musical comedy films
- American sequel films
- Annie Award-winning films
- Animated buddy films
- Animated films about lions
- Animated films about meerkats
- Films directed by Bradley Raymond
- Animated films about friendship
- DisneyToon Studios animated films
- Disney direct-to-video animated films
- Direct-to-video interquel films
- Direct-to-video prequel films
- Animated films set in Africa
- The Lion King (franchise)
- 2004 comedy films
- Self-reflexive films
- 2000s English-language films
- American prequel films