The Lion King review

This 1994 Disney classic about the noble lion cub cheated of his kingdom is now gloriously spread out on the giant Imax canvas - and a cracking Christmas treat it is too. (Once again, I advise sitting well to the back of the auditorium if you don’t want to be overwhelmed by the screen’s sheer size.)

The Lion King is similar to The Jungle Book with its Kiplingesque view of a well-ordered animal kingdom. No humans in this jungle: the lions are the masters here, and the film has superb moments of family treachery and unrivalled poignancy as Simba the lion cub stands over his dead father’s body. Not a dry eye in the house!

The animation is simple and bold, with fluency and muscular confidence, and Elton John and Tim Rice’s songs drive the story onward with terrific fervour. There’s also sumptuous voice-work from Jeremy Irons, Rowan Atkinson, Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane.

There’s just one disturbing thing. When King Mufasa holds his tiny son over a high ledge for all the other lions to admire, it reminded me horribly of Michael Jackson holding his seven-month baby over a hotel balcony. Where do you suppose the King of Pop got his inspiration?