The Lion King 1½

Lion King 1 1/2 is a very fun and addictive sequel. Don't expect the production values of a theatrical release, but do expect the highest quality of direct to video release.

It is set up as Timon & Pumba begin watching the original Lion King in a darkened theater and abruptly switch tracks and begin narrating their own story. This is done with frequent comedic interruptions. For example, during one particular tense moment a home shopping commercial pops on and a chagrined Pumba realizes he has sat on the remote. These little moments pepper the movie, and whether you find them entertaining or not will greatly depend on your sense of humor. If you are particularly bothered by movies that deliberately remind the viewer is watching a movie, than this may not be your cup of tea.

Animation is the best they've invested in the Disney DTV line, and is integrated almost seamlessly with the original material. The newer, independent material uses a lot of the artistic style of the original. The voice talents are all well performed, though I couldn't help thinking of Marge Simpson every time I heard Julie Kavner.

Many of the jokes in the movie will be well recognized by viewers as recycled over the generations, but are presented more with the familiarity of comfortable quirks of old friends than annoyingly repetitive.

The music has made me realize how much I enjoyed and miss a good musical integrated with a Disney feature. The toe-tapping opening feature of 'Dig A Tunnel' is well choreographed and hilarious. Timon and Pumba's take on the Lion King's opening sequence and their introduction to paradise are also amusing. The only problem was the reprise of the 'Dig A Tunnel' at the end of the movie, switching its lyrics and tune from defeatist to uplifting.

Story line is pretty well done, and the integration of new plot elements is done almost perfectly, though the final bit during the hyena chased stretched the storyline credibility a little. The new story doesn't seem to handle saccharine or emotionally charged moments to well, and does better when it is resorting to full comedy.

Overall, worth purchasing. If you like all the bonus features that come with a typical 2-disc set, then go for it. For the penny pincher who still is willing to invest on a good flick, wait until it drops four or more dollars and go rent it right away.

Damion Crowley.

I am 18, and I absolutely adore the first Lion King film. It is gorgeously animated, has terrific music, likable characters and makes me laugh and cry, in short, like Beauty and the Beast and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs The Lion King is an animated masterpiece. Judging by the fact that I liked Simbas's Pride, not loved, just liked, I watched The Lion King 1.5. It is not a bad sequel at all, like Simbas's Pride it is not as good as the original, but I think like the second it is one of the better sequels. It does have its problems, it is too short(then again this is a problem most of the sequels have), some of the story, the Lion King but in Timon and Pumbaa's perspective is predictable but it is a great concept and there are a few parts such as the ending that felt a tad rushed. However, it is vibrantly animated, the music is very good, there are some surprisingly funny jokes(like Timon and Pumbaa's stalling during the climax), the dialogue is well written and hilarious and the voice acting is very well done. Overall, a fun, cute and entertaining, if inferior, sequel. 7/10 Bethany Cox

"The Lion King 1½" tells the story from the original film from the perspective of Timon and Pumbaa. It is not even close to "The Lion King" from 1994, but the idea is interesting, humor at a decent level and there are a couple of really infectious songs. Worth a look.

6/10

Kinda dumb and kinda silly, yet 'The Lion King 1½' somehow manages to create a good film despite the disjointed nature of it.

Timon and Pumbaa are the leads here, with Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella assuring things stay amusing. If those two didn't reprise their roles then it would've been a boring mess. Most of the main characters from 'The Lion King' return at some point too, with Matthew Broderick (Simba) and Robert Guillaume (Rafiki) notably reappearing.

The plot is exceptionally fairly funny, as we get an alternate look of how the 1994 film went down. It shouldn't be enjoyable but it actually is, helped by Lane & Sabella alongside the strong animation.

Not one to be taken seriously, just one to have a laid-back time with.

this Disney animated feature isn't really a Lion King movie.it's basically the story of Timon(the Meerkat)and Pumba(the Warthog)and how they first met.it eventually shows the some of the events from the original Lion King from their point of view.it obviously condenses the events a lot,and their are actually only a few moments from The Lion King here.i thought it was an OK movie,but i found it a bit slow and i thought some scenes went on too long.the song are not as memorable.at least i didn't think so.at least the same voice actors were used as in the original.this movie is fairly short,about 70 minutes,not including end credits.as an aside,this movie was produced after Lion King II: Simba's Pride.all in all this is an entertaining movie,but it doesn't have the same impact of the original Lion King.for me,The Lion King 1.5 is a 6/10