For a limited two weeks we can re-live the magical experience of one of Disney’s most successful animations.  But has this new experiment ruined what was a tremendous 2D success or has the Disney mega-hit now risen to it’s potential glory as a 3D experience?  Movie corporations are all churning out ‘the ultimate experience,’ when all we want is to watch a good film.  But The Lion King 3D is something of an exception.  Yes, it’s the same film, yes it’s the same story, but with special effects and extra enhancements the film roars to life and is the perfect basis for 3D intrusion.  

In the opening scene we march alongside the wild of the Pride Lands to see the future King Simba (Johnathon Taylor Thomas) being celebrated.  During this scene you realise what you’ve let yourself in for: eighty nine minutes of an immortal tale.
 
Mufasa ( James Earl Jones) is the highly respected and wise King of Pride Rock and father of the young adorable cub, Simba.  The antagonist of the 1994 film is the sly and smarmy Scar, (Jeremy Irons) Mufasa’s brother and therefore next in line for the throne before Simba came along.  He callously plots a twisted scheme which will make him ruler of Pride Rock.  He cunningly fools the naive cub Simba into believing that it was his fault that his father and reigning king was tragically engulfed by a wildebeest stampede and subsequently killed.  Simba flees into exile as the villainous Sicar becomes usurper of the throne and invites the untrustworthy hyenas to invade the Pride Lands. 
Through a range of kaleidoscopic animation and dazzling bursts of dance and song we see Simba transform from an innocent young cub to a gallant and courageous lion whose philosophy in life is ‘Hakuna Matata.’  His new found belief and courage gives him the strength to overthrow the dictatorship of Scar in a momentous duel enhanced by special effects and lighting.  
 
The Lion King in 3D is a timeless animation, a classic that we’ve grown up with and is now growing up with us.  Three dimensional films are being forced upon us by movie producers but delving into the Disney library and re-modelling the highest grossing animated 2D film of all time was a nothing short of genius.  The Lion King in 3D displays the magnificence of the film, it’s captivating plot, theatrical visuals and entertaining use of song and dance all spring to life in 3D.
 
What does this say for the film industry at present? The Lion King in 3D reveals what we haven’t realised for a long time; special effects and snazzy lighting and snazzy sound techniques might add a brief excitement to a film, but it is the timeless narrative at the core, that's what we really came to see.