The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar

Today I watched “The Lion Guard: The Rise of Scar,” which came out in 2017, on “On Demand” since I read that this was another short hour long movie, so I decided to talk about it today.

“The Lion King” is known as one of Disney’s greatest films, the fourth major hit in a five-year run that mixed top-notch animation technology with one of the best soundtracks. The film is about a young cub Simba who is exiled from Pride Rock through the work of his evil uncle Scar. After making some new friends, Simba returns to fight for his family’s name and his own recovery. After a few direct-to-video sequels, Disney Junior started “The Lion Guard” in 2016, a spinoff about Simba’s son Kion, voiced by Max Charles. The show is a hit with the Disney Junior main audience with enough nostalgic references for parents who grew up with the original. Kion and his Lion Guard are going up against their dangerous challenge when evil forces in the Pride Lands plan to bring back Scar. Dr. Zaius said in his review, “The elongated near hour long episode is part of a DVD set, The Lion Guard – The Rise of Scar, available now.”

Dr. Zaius continued, “The DVD begins with the feature-length episode The Rise of Scar, as well as four other episode from the series: “The Trouble With Galagos,” “Janja’s New Crew,” “Baboons!,” and “Lions of the Outlands.”” “The Rise of Scar” is directed by series regular Howy Parkins and written by series creator Ford Riley. The Guard led by Kion includes its usual pack, Bunga and honey badger (Joshua Rush), Beshte the Hippo (Dusan Brown), Fuli the cheetah (Diamond White) and Ono the egret (Atticus Shaffer). The usual problem they deal with is with the evil hyenas. However, the hyenas have a new friend, Ushari the snake, voiced by Christain Slater (the man who looks like Jack Nicholson’s son). He overhears that there is a certain way that can be done with a volcano that can bring Scar back and help them finally win against the Lion Guard.

The cast includes famous celebrities from Slater, to Rob Lowe and Gabrielle Union as Simba and Nala, to Khary Payton from “The Walking Dead” as Rafiki, Landry Bender as Rafiki’s apprentice Makini and Mandrill, Gary Anthony Williams briefly as Mufasa and Golden Globe nominee David Oyelowo as Scar. Anyone who has kids, they probably love the show, and they will undeniably love this DVD. “The Rise of Scar” has plenty form parents to enjoy as well. Dr. Zaius noted, “Ushari reminded me of classic Disney villain Kaa (The Jungle Book), and so many characters and references are made to the original film that you can’t help get drawn in.”

As I have stated before with the other Lion King animated releases, this one is running strong and is good for kids who are into “The Lion Guard.” I haven’t seen the show, but it looks like it is going strong and is a huge hit, so I would definitely say to see this one because it is a huge nostalgic throwback and everyone will love it. Either see it On Demand or rent it or buy it.

Thank you for joining in on today’s review, look out this Friday to see what I will review this month.