Lion King 3D

Since the film was released and has been available for 17 years, I will not be focusing on a review of its production value. I do this for two reasons. #1. Mostly everyone has already seen the film on numerous occasions and don't need to be guided regarding the material. Opinions have been formed and solidified. #2. I really am not a fan personally and don't wish to upset the fans by expunging on the content as I would definitely trash it. What this review will focus on is specifically the experience of viewing the 3D presentation coming to theatres on September 16th, 2011.

Overall, I must admit that I am in full support of the 3D movement which is taking place in the entertainment industry. If a film is being presented theatrically in 3D, there is no hesitation in my selection to be seated in that particular theatre. In fact, I will even skip the next screening if a 3D screening is taking place at a later time. Even though bad post-production 3D conversions can be less than perfect, they still offer an enhancement to the viewing experience. As such, I have seen many variations of quality when it comes to 3D presentations in commercial theatres.

Seeing an advanced screening of The Lion King in 3D is the first public opportunity to witness what kind of effect could be created using a post-production conversion on something from days gone by. It raises many questions about whether or not the 3D effect could effectively be applied to the hundreds of thousands of films classified as "catalogue titles" and whether the application could serve as a vehicle for studios to re-release everything from the past in 3D. And, having viewed this Lion King 3D presentation, I can honestly say that it shouldn't be a very hopeful prospect for studios to consider as a viable business venture.

Now, many will see that last sentence as a death knell for the theatrical presentation of The Lion King 3D. Just to clarify, that statement was actually deterring the notion that 3D could work for all of our favourite classic films from the days of yore. The Lion King 3D may not be the best 3D presentation I have seen in the last 2 years, but it definitely creates a unique and fresh experience for a film which has been around in a single incarnation for nearly 2 decades.

Where The Lion King 3D succeeds is in really being able to distinguish a sense of depth within the world on screen. Although the effect isn't always consistent with said depth, it is still ever-present. Since I was specifically analyzing the presentation from a technical standpoint, it stands to reason that the inconsistency might not even be noticeable to those who aren't frequent 3D viewers. The 3D is also successful in adding an air of grandiose to an already grand story. Some of the sweeping shots of Pride Rock encourage the eyes to widen... especially in the opening sequence.

Where The Lion King 3D falls short is the instances where the 3D comes across as 2D cut-outs moving on various planes of depth. On a few occasions I felt like the image surrounding the main focal point of the scene wasn't given the full 3D treatment. It's almost as though they said, "Let's put those leaves in the foreground, but don't bother making them look like they bend away from the screen. It's not worth the hassle." Anyone who has seen an action comic will understand the effect I speak of. Given the nature of the hand-drawn animation, this effect was fully anticipated on my part. More recent animation is created entirely with computer graphics in a 3D environment to begin with. Hand-drawn animation is created on a two dimensional plane from start to finish.

In conclusion, this experience is a mixed bag of tricks. For those who have yet to experience modern 3D, The Lion King 3D will not do the experience justice. There are far better 3D presentations to be experienced in commercial theatres. For those who are fans of The Lion King, the spectacle of 3D will be a fresh experience for the film. For kids... well, kids will always get a kick out of anything Lion King or 3D, so it's pretty obvious that the investment would be worth it for them to see.

Recommended for hardcore Lion King enthusiasts and children. Fans of 3D and those who don't have any strong emotional connection to the film are hereby served notice that this presentation won't improve your opinions of either 3D or the film itself.