IT IS TIME.
Click to viewI saw The Lion King in theaters last night. It was kind of weirdly surreal and awesome. We went to a later show, so every single person in that audience were college age kids or older. There were some drunk annoying people who thought it’d be HILARIOUS to recite the movie back and forth to each other VERY LOUDLY. Cool guy, you’re not impressing anyone with your ability to remember things. Ten bucks everyone in that audience could do it too. Hell, *I* was doing it, under my breath.
ANYWAY. Aside from that, it was awesome that everyone in the audience sang along with all the “fun” songs. And when Nala falls back in “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” and has that MY BODY IS READY look, everyone breaks out in cheers and BOW CHICKA BOW BOW.
It was kind of fun to watch the movie now as an animator. The Lion King holds a special place in my heart because it was one of the first things that made me want to pursue animation as a career. And I noticed stuff that I never had before. In the first scene post-opening, Zazu’s foot disappears for a frame. Some of Mufasa’s whiskers curl at the tips. When Simba is dead in the desert, you can see his ribs.
I really really REALLY didn't want to see it with 3D, but I have to admit, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. There was an effect on their muzzles that made them pop. The only thing I didn't like is that the 3D separated characters, so even if they were physically touching, the effect would set them apart. ANNOYING.
UGH SCAR PENCIL TESTS, GET INTO MY PANTS.
In short, I was whisked away to Nostalgia Land. And it was wonderful.