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The Lion King 1½
2004 77 min United States of America G 0+
★6.9
Adventure, Animation, Comedy, Family
Director: Bradley Raymond
🎭 Based on
«Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead»
byTom Stoppard
Trailers
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EN
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Description
Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog are best pals and the unsung heroes of the African savanna. This prequel to the smash Disney animated adventure takes you back -- way back -- before Simba's adventure began. You'll find out all about Timon and Pumbaa and tag along as they search for the perfect home and attempt to raise a rambunctious lion cub.
Worldwide:
$1,465
Starring
Nathan Lane
Actor
Ernie Sabella
Actor
Julie Kavner
Actor
Jerry Stiller
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2005
— Best DVD Edition
Key opinion
The Lion King 1½ is a polarizing entry in the franchise, celebrated by some as an inventive and hilarious experimental comedy, while others view it as an unnecessary, cheapened reinterpretation of a classic. Opinions are sharply divided on its impact, with some finding the fourth-wall-breaking humor delightful and others feeling it undermines the emotional gravity of the original film.
| Originality | The film successfully employs clever, innovative meta-humor, including fourth-wall breaking and perspective-shifting, that feels ahead of its time. | |
| Score | The soundtrack leans heavily on the beloved music of the original film, which remains a high point for most viewers. | |
| Acting | Timon and Pumbaa prove to be charismatic leads, successfully carrying the narrative and providing consistent comedic entertainment. | |
| Production | The film's visual quality is a subject of debate, with some praising its bright, detailed animation and others criticizing reused backgrounds and a perceived decline in aesthetic fidelity compared to the original. | |
| Theme | The comedic tone is divisive; proponents find it lighthearted and refreshing, while critics argue it treats the source material with flippancy and mocks the gravitas of the original story. | |
| Screenplay | Reception of the writing is split between those who enjoy the experimental, parallel-story format and those who dismiss the plot as a lightweight, unnecessary cash-grab. |