In 1994, Walt Disney Pictures came out with the timeless and immortal animated classic, “The Lion King.” It was met with much praise by critics and enjoyed by families, children, and people young and old.

And now 15 years later, the Walt Disney Company is re-releasing their most beloved animated masterpiece.  This time audiences will get to feel the magic, watch the coming-of-age tale of a lion who tries to find his rightful place as king of the Pride lands… in 3D.

Now, questions have been raised as to how a traditionally animated movie can be converted to be viewed in 3D.  It’s not uncommon for a computer generated film to be converted to be viewed in 3D. For example, Disney re-released the first two installments of the Toy Story franchise in 3D two years ago. Those two films were animated in three-dimensional environments which in a way makes it easier to convert it to 3D. But the two-dimensional “flat” picture that “The Lion King” presents, offers an incredible movie-going experience to see it in 3D.

Disney could never have been spot on. The 3D presented in this film was without a doubt mind-blowing.  Much like how James Cameron’s “Avatar” 3D experience brought the viewer “into” the story, the 3D in this film does the same thing.

Right from the first moment of the sun-rise at the beginning of the movie, you can immediately feel the depth of the wide shot of the plain.  With the feel of depth, you feel like you aren’t necessarily there in the African plains, but in a real-life painting representing the Pride lands of Africa.

Of course a 3D presentation isn’t complete without the typical gag that has objects on screen “pop” out at the viewer.  The first being the wide shot of the blue bird, Zasu, flying toward pride rock.  As the the camera follows the bird, it feels and looks like it’s right in front of your eyes and almost like you’re flying  right behind him.  With these two examples and all the other scenes where objects “pop” out, makes one think that this is what Disney had in mind all along.

It is quite amazing how the conversion to 3D makes the characters feel three-dimensional in the two-dimensional animation.  Don’t be surprised if this wouldn’t become a new trend for Disney to re-release their other classics in 3D.

Overall, the movie still has the same funny, magical and touching moments.  With the re-release, not just in 3D, but also playing in 2D as well, new generations as well older generations can enjoy a timeless Disney classic.