For those who enjoyed the “Lion King” and the direct-to-video sequels, will no doubt enjoy this animated television series on DVD as Simba and Nala’s young son, Kion and his friends must protect the Pride Lands. For children and the young at heart, “The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power” is recommended!
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DVD TITLE: The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power
DURATION: Six Episodes (137 Minutes)
DVD INFORMATION: 1:78:1 aspect ratio, English, Spanish and French Dolby Digital, Subtitles: English SDH, French and Spanish
COMPANY: Disney
RATED: TY V
Release Date: September 20, 2016
Directed by Howy Parkins
Written by Ford Riley, John Loy, Elise Allen, Kevin Hopps, Jack Monaco
Produced by Ford Riley
Casting by Brian Mathias
Featuring the following voice talent:
Dee Bradley Baker as Hyenas/Tano
Max Charles as Kion
Joshua Rush as Bunga
Diamond Whit as FuliÂ
Atticus Shaffer as Ono
Kevin Schon as Jungu
Vargus Mason as Cheezi
Phil LaMarr as Goigoi
Jonny Rees as Mzingo
Rob Lowe as Simba
Khary Payton as Rafiki
Jeff Bennett as Zazu
Dusan Brown as Beshte
Sarah Hyland as Tiifu
Gary Anthony Williams as Mufasa
Ernie Sabella as Pumbaa
Christian Slater as Ushari
Gabrielle Union as Nala
Andrew Kishino as Janja
Madison Pettis as Zuri
Eden Riegel as Kiara
Alone, every hero has his or her own special talent. But when champions work together, the results are “un-Bunga-lievable”! Defend the Pride Lands with Kion and his courageous team in Disney’s breathtaking adventure series based on the legacy of THE LION KING. You’ll run like the wind, move mountains and save the day with these five brave friends as they summon their inner powers and help protect the Circle of Life. Packed with action, music and over two hours of fun, THE LION GUARD: UNLEASH THE POWER proves that when heroes join forces, they’re truly a force to be reckoned with!
Disney has had many successes since Walt Disney created the popular animation studio back in 1923.
With the success of their live action films and their PIXAR 3D animated films, still to this day, “The Lion Kingâ€, the 32nd film in the Walt Disney Animated Classics remains as the most successful animated film for the legendary company earning over $862 million in the box office (created with a budget of $45 million) and in terms of overall animation, it’s the fifth highest grossing animated film of all time and the #1 highest grossing film when it comes to hand-drawn animation.
The film earned two Academy awards plus a Golden Globe for “Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy†and is the #4 animated film on the American Film Institute’s “10 Top 10†list.
With the “The Lion Guard – Return of the Roar-“, the television animated film (the pilot) which aired on Disney Junior back in November 22, 2015. That was also the beginning of the TV series titled “The Lion Guard” (which airs on Disney Junior).
The story continues with Kion, the second-born cub of Simba and Nala and the adventures with his Lion Guard.
Selected by Kion is Bunga (honey badger) the bravest, Beshte (hippopotamus) the strongest, Ono (egret) the keenest of sight and Fuli (cheetah) the fastest.  But this group must learn to work together as a team to take on various challenges. Can Kion’s Lion Guard protect the Pride Lands?
The episodes featured on “The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power” are:
- Episode 7 – Fuli’s New Family – Bunga finds out that he is immune to snake bites, but accidentally thinks that he is immune to everything.
- Episode 3 – Bunga the Wise – When Bunga talks to Rafiki, a little miscommunication makes Bunga think he is the wisest animal in the Pride Lands.
- Episode 5 – Eye of the Beholder – Janja hears that Ono has temporarily lost his vision and he and the vultures try to take advantage of the situation.
- Episode 9 – Follow That Hippo! – A young elephant named Mtoto idolizes Beshte. But what happens when both are attacked by hyenas.
- Episode 8 – The Search for Utamu – Bunga, Kion, Ono and Beshte search for Utamu grubs and we learn how Bunga met Timon and Pumbaa.
- Episode 1 – Never Judge a Hyena By Its Spots – What happens when Kion meets Jasiri, a friendly hyena?
VIDEO, AUDIO & SUBTITLES:
Each time I have watched a Disney animated classic, suffice to say, there are no disappointments. Each release has been spectacular when it comes to picture quality and while “The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power” may not be a film, but for the most part, animation is still colorful and background and environments are well-painted.
Presented in 1080p High Definition (1:78:1), there is no doubt that fans of the film and children who loved “The Lion King” films will enjoy this DVD.
The TV series is presented in English, Spanish and French Dolby Digital. Dialogue and music is clear and the action sequences sound very good via the surround channels.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power” comes with no special features.
EXTRAS:
“The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power” comes with a free power necklace with changeable discs, a slipcover and a Disney Movie Reward code.
As the animated pilot film “The Lion Guard – Return of the Roar-” marks a sort of passing of the torch as Simba’s son Kion has demonstrated that he has the “Roar of the Elders” and will be the leader of The Lion Guard and protect the Pride Lands.
“The Lion Guard” animated TV series continues where the pilot has left off and Kion has chosen to be the Lion Guard and his fellow members of the team who will protect the Pride Land.
The characters are humorous and fun to watch. And with a total of six episodes included on “The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power”, the series will no doubt entertain children and even the young at heart.
The series focuses on Kion (the second-born cub) and his guard which includes Bunga (honey badger) the bravest, Beshte (hippopotamus) the strongest, Ono (egret) the keenest of sight and Fuli (cheetah) the fastest.
Of course, while friends, they have to also work as a team and the animated series reflects the group trying their best to work together and as one of them tends to run off on their own, they eventually learn the importance of working as a team.
For the most part, it’s an animated series with a good dose of humor and action. And for those who enjoyed the pilot film, the original film and the direct-to-video sequels, will no doubt enjoy this DVD release.
For parents who are curious if there are any dark situations that may scare young children, not really. Compared to the original “Lion King” film in which Scar and his team of lions or even the creepy hyenas, the hyenas featured in “The Lion Guard” are just as young as Kion. So, in a way, this film was created for a much younger demographic and is lighthearted and fun. Especially the characters of the Lion Guard, especially the crazy, fun Bunga who tends to misunderstand things easily.
Picture quality and audio quality is as good as it can get on DVD, unfortunately there are no special features but as a plus is that the DVD does come with a free power necklace with changeable discs.
Overall, for those who enjoyed the “Lion King” and the direct-to-video sequels, will no doubt enjoy this animated television series on DVD as Simba and Nala’s young son, Kion and his friends must protect the Pride Lands.
For children and the young at heart, “The Lion Guard: Unleash the Power” is recommended!
