One aspect of animated films that is often overlooked is the quality of the performances. Madge Sinclair as Sarabi conveyed a quiet dignity in every line reading, and Rowan Atkinsons Zazu was as different from Mr. Bean as could be. Jonathan Taylor Thomas had all the preteen girls swooning over Young Simba back in 1994, and Matthew Broderick was able to play the indolent exile and furious claimant sides of Adult Simba without slipping. The standouts, however, were Jeremy Irons and James Earl Jones. Jeremy Irons so inhabited the role of Scar that the animators designed the look of the character around his features. Simultaneously sinister and charming, he makes viewers believe that he is rotten to the corebut also to accept that his treachery is well-enough concealed to come as a surprise to the other lions. And, of course, theres Mufasa. James Earl Jones is so impressive in the role that its not even frustrating that Mufasas lectures from the afterlife are what ultimately convince Simba to return to Pride Rock. If that voice boomed down from the heavens and told any of us to shape up, wed be sitting up straight and tucking in our shirts before the echoes faded. Oh, and fun fact: the producers originally imagined Sean Connery as the voice for Mufasa. Its kinda okay that that didnt work out.
Fiction buff and writer. If it's on Netflix, it's probably in my queue. I've bought DVDs for the special features and usually claim that the book is better than the movie or show (and can provide examples). I've never met a TV show that I won't marathon. Follow on Twitter @lah9891 .
