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Naaaaaaaaaaants ingonyaaaaaaama bagiiiiiithi babaaa!!

Yes, it’s back.

In what seems to be the most recent upgrade of Disney’s one-time ‘from the vaults’ home video release strategy, the Mouse House is ready to roll out The Lion King 3D to a theatre near you.

While for many an experienced filmgoer it may be hard to overlook the ‘cash-grabiness’ of the re-release, there is plenty of value to be had in the big-screen experience. And to be fair, I’ll use my time with you to discuss both sides of that dichotomy.

First, to what you’re all thinking.

No, it’s not some kind of anniversary occasion that warrants a re-release. No, the film was never intended to later, one day, maybe get an upgrade in 3D when the technology caught up with the animators ideas. Yes, this is very much an excuse to re-release a wildly popular movie that has already made hundreds of millions in theatrical, home video, soundtrack, Broadway musical and forthcoming blu-ray revenues.

From that angle, the 3D experience is pretty much unnecessary.

However, Disney is not stupid. If that was all there was to offer in re-releasing Simba and his pals’ great adventure, I wouldn’t even worry to see it.

See, the thing is, The Lion King is a different beast altogether. And the one commodity Disney has always had on its side is the fact that their catalogue has a timeless quality to it. In addition to that, the target audience of these films (roughly the ages of four to thirteen) rolls over every 10 years, presenting an entirely new generation that has not yet been exposed to the hits.

And there’s the rub.

This is arguably Disney’s greatest hit. If Disney were Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Lion King would probably be “Free Bird.” And Disney now has the chance to give a whole generation of filmgoers a chance to experience it on a big screen.

Yeah, sure the 3D angle will boost their numbers out of some nostalgic curiosity and it tacks a few bucks onto each ticket stub, but at least they’re offering filmgoers something new for the extra couple bucks they’re kicking in.

So, onto the 3D experience itself.

Well, much like a lot of afterthought 3D releases (as opposed to films totally shot with 3D technology), they seem to have picked their spots where they want to show off.

The overall effect is nice, mostly because of the high quality of the animation. The film came out in the mid-90s when cell animation and Disney’s own storytelling hit its zenith, so in addition to the characters getting new life, the drawings themselves pop off the screen a bit more and stand out from the sometimes static backgrounds.

When they do trot out the big guns however, the effects are very impressive. They make a splash piling on the tricks throughout the opening ‘Circle of Life’ sequence. The effects are then carefully dabbled throughout. A footfall here, a dust-cloud there, a rainstorm in between… leading up to Scar’s final pounce when they finally go all out, lunging Jeremy Irons’ doomed, spiteful uncle right at the audience before he meets his demise.

The difference is palpable and almost makes the extra investment worthwhile.

But, then there’s the questions that arise from the new technology.

Most notably, why the film’s most exciting sequence – the stampede – was underwhelming for a scene seemingly designed to hurl danger (and wildebeests) right in the faces of the audience.

Similarly, some of the static backgrounds become more noticeable with the new technology. During ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’ in particular, older audiences will get a chance to fondly remember Disney’s love affair with fuchsia and teal in the mid-90s and get a decent laugh out of it.

At the end of the day, though, the re-release does offer definite value.

There is a whole generation that may not have even seen the film yet. While I don’t think that’s a good reason to re-release their entire catalogue or to continuously re-release the same movies, it’s a tactic I’m willing to support in this instance.

Heck, there’s even a small fraction of the previous generation – children and young adolescents – that might’ve missed it in theatres the first time around and would welcome a second crack at seeing it on the big screen.

I, myself, was part of this particular cross-section of the film-going public.

But, beyond that, as I mentioned before The Lion King is virtually a stand-alone achievement for Disney (though I’m sure there’s a healthy fan/critics contingent for Beauty and the Beast) and if this offers a first chance for people to see it in its full size and scope, then this one event is something I can get behind.