For the most part I enjoyed this movie very much. It is worth watching for the scenery alone (the visuals are easily worth 9/10). There are several areas where the retouched colors and CGI sky is blatantly obvious but it adds a larger-than-life feel to the savanna.
The story, unfortunately, is a mismatching of a folk tale and a Nat Geo documentary. The voice over technique works well enough but the narrator abruptly stops to interact with his audience. This causes the story to jerk between scenes. At the end of 90 minutes I felt like I had been watching for several hours... and not in a good way. Still, it is a tale of courage, strength, and loyalty, and the intended audience (kids) should enjoy it.
Note for parents: as I mentioned, "White Lion" plays a bit like a documentary; there is some raw footage in this film including lions' eating habits and territorial disputes. The themes of death and loss are also touched a few times, albeit briefly. You will want to watch this movie with your little ones so you can explain things to them. (Kids 12+ should have no trouble with it.) I will watch it with my 10-yr-old nieces to reinforce their studies, but the 4-yr-old will have to stick with Dora the Explorer for now.
