The Lion King [Special Edition]

But hang on. We cannot speak of this soundtrack without mentioning the efforts of a certain Mr Hans Zimmer! (The previous user comment seemed to imply that Elton John also composed the orchestral cues – boy, did he get HIS lions crossed!)

The orchestral score aspect of ‘The Lion King’ is epic and beautiful, and simply WORKS, because it never allows itself to admit that all we’re really dealing with here is a few thousand cute animal drawings. Zimmer unashamedly approaches the drama and emotional nuances of the story with respect and straight-faced sensitivity; happily, no gawky cartoonish fluttery is anywhere to be heard.

His themes are great, and there are many. (Watched ‘The Lion King 2’ recently, and without Zimmer’s memorable leitmotifs, it seemed to have no soul.) Two or three of the motifs, in particular, capture just the right combination of majesty and tragedy (“a king’s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun…”), while the uplifting African chanting creates a nice contrast from the heavier stuff (heard, for instance, when Simba decides to leave the jungle and return to the Pridelands). The track ‘To Die For,’ however, is a cut above the rest, which underscores my favourite sequence in animation history: the Wildebeest Stampede. Did you ever hear anything darker or more intense written for any cartoon before this? Unlikely, my friend, unlikely!

There are a few holes in the album, and I’m disappointed that this Special Edition hasn’t been used as a chance to release more of Zimmer’s score. If you don’t own the first album, it’s well worth purchasing all the same.


An album that's still Disney's best work!   January 8, 2003
Ahmed (Canada)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful

This album is still one of Disney's best musical albums. Standing high up in the top 5 of the best selling soundtracks of all time, this multi-platinum album has sold 10 million copies in the US alone. The sweet melodies and flute inspired music is peaceful and relaxing. It's just like listening to new age music. Kids as well as adults will love this work of art. Some of Elton John's greatest works can be found on this album. The music from "El Dorado" is nothing compared to this masterpiece. Hans Zimmer's music and Elton John's vocals make a great collaboration. This multi-Grammy award and Oscar winning album is a sure winner. It's for lovers of all traditional Disney music (like the music from Beauty&the beast, Mary Poppins, and the Jungle Book). If you're also interested in great instrumental music and originality, you'll love this creative album! It was the first album I ever bought ( when I was 7).

The album starts out with the powerful popular "Circle of Life" with a great beat and a powerful vocal performance! It's a powerful passionate masterpiece! Next on the album is the ever-so-popular single that kids will still love today, "Oh I just can't wait to be king" another track with a good beat collaborated with great African drum sound sin the background!

Then the music suddenly changes into an evil creative track, "be prepared". But then you go on to the movie's most popular single at the time the fun-loving Timon and Pumba dance to "Hakuna Matata".

The album is filled with peaceful, fun-loving, romantic, and evil tracks as well as great instrumental works by Hans Zimmer. But still alongside the addictive "Hakuna Matata" is the romantic melody with great vocal performances. Yes it's "can you feel the love tonight" a passionate track with good lyrics and an influencing theme. Even though Elton John would probably be given the credit for making this album such a hit, it's hard not to think of Hans Zimmer. It's the main reason every track is fantastic in it's own way. If you're looking for an album for your kids, looking for peace, looking for enjoyable music, looking for instrumental new age type works, and looking for inspiring &influencing music-this is something you should buy!


Pure musical genius.   May 17, 2003
Blue Phoenix (London, UK)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

When the soundtrack to this amazing film was first heard, critics said it didn't live up to previous titles such as The Little Mermaid. Please don't believe them!
Being one of those people who loves soundtracks, out of my collection (which includes various Star Wars CDs and The Matrix) this is the most played and most adored.
It's too hard to describe in words how magical this soundtrack is, especially the emotional and beautiful instrumental tracks (the tracks near the end of the CD). The African drums and vocals are really powerful and woven well into the orchestrated tracks.
People who dare to rank this CD as something sub-standard need to take a deep breath and listen to it again. If it doesn't blow you away the first time, try try again!