The Adventures of Simba Across the Third Dimension
Friday, September 16, 2011 at 10:00AM Michael C. here.
As a dyed-in-the-wool 3D non-believer I can’t say I was thrilled at the notion of Disney combing through the vault, “improving” titles with the latest technological gimmick as an excuse to wring more cash out of their back catalogue. The idea reeks of George Lucas style revisionism. Yet having seen Lion King 3D (opening today) I now have to reconcile this position with the fact that I thought the whole thing worked beautifully. Maybe enough time had passed for the story to feel fresh again. Maybe I was just in a great mood the morning of the screening. But whatever the reason I can’t deny Lion King 3D did what Lion King IMAX failed to do for me, which was to break through my deep familiarity with the material and hit me on a gut level.
Hey, why mince words: I had a blast.
Lion King may be the most technically polished use of 3D I’ve seen, miles ahead of any other after-the-fact 3D conversions, and right up there with Avatar and Up which I consider the gold standard. The Disney team has clearly taken incredible care with their prized title in this their inaugural attempt to access the potential gold mine of retrofitting classics. The level of detail impresses. The snouts of the lions protrude slightly in front of their faces and African plains that were formally flat paintings now stretch convincingly into the distance. Zazu becomes a breakout star since he gives the depth of field a work out every time he swoops by in the foreground high above the action. At the screening I saw there was no hint of dimness or the dreaded multi-plane effect that plagues cheaper 3D conversions.. I can honestly say I’ve never felt the urge to peek out from under the glasses, which is pretty much the highest compliment I can give to the technical job.
Ultimately, a third dimension will never make a bad script better or make a boring movie exciting. Lion King 3D works so well because Lion King 2D did. But still, when the movie is already playing like gangbusters I can't deny the added depth can help turn things up to 11 from time to time. "The Circle of Life" wows as if it was conceived with 3D in mind from the start, and the wildebeest stampede is predictably stunning. More surprisingly the added dimension also lends increased grandeur to simple scenes like an early heartfelt talk between Mufasa and son in a vast open field. In other scenes where the newfound depth doesn’t do much– "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", for example, doesn’t exactly pop – it’s easy enough to ignore.
How viable this will be for other Disney classics remains an open question. The group of titles that would really justify the conversion is probably slim. I can’t say a 3D version of The Jungle Book would have me clamoring for tickets. If, on the other hand, they ever give Fantasia the same deluxe treatment they have given Lion King then sign me up.
3-D, Disney, Reviews, The Lion King, animated films
Reader Comments (6)
Wow, this is great news. Now I'm definitely watching this the first day of release here. I missed the original in theaters back in 1994 when my father took me and my sister to see it because it was sold out. 1994 is the year they re-opened cinemas in North Cyprus and it was going to be my first film experience. Alas, it wasn't to be. Now I can watch it on a real big screen with the possibility of newfound freshness.
I have not seen this movie all the way through since.... wait for it... 1994.
i wonder if i should go? but i don't want to support HOllywood's 3D habit. Crisis!
^ WHAT. Did you just say 1994.........................
Anywho, I am totes going to see this. I am highly annoyed by the obnoxious excuse to make more money called 3D, however, The Lion King was my favorite movie as a child and I literally watched it every. single. day. Soo, I kind of want to see it on the big screen. :D
I remember being sold on Disney post-converted 3D when they released Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D a few years ago. The depth they added to the animation was mind-blowing. I can only imagine how that would work with a far brighter and more colorful film. Post-conversion isn't the enemy; fast money grabbing is the enemy.
I still say the Academy should break protocol and give the Best Animated Feature Oscar to this movie. I know it'll be ineligible, but seriously... what a dud year for that category and this rerelease IS the best animated feature released into cinemas in 2011, surely.
My little girl is so excited for this new 3D movie. So you know I'll be seeing it no matter WHAT I may think about it. :)
John S.
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