In a time where Disney was experimenting with mature content in their family feature films such as Pocahontas, Hunchback and Mulan, Richard Rich decided to make his second attempt at catching Disney's wind after his 10 year magnum opus The Swan Princess bombed in its theatrical release but sold 50 million copies on VHS. As someone who hasn't seen the original 1956 version of The King and I, I still think that after watching the magically confused Swan Princess, this follow-up by Richard Rich and Rankin/Bass does even not even live up to the mediocrity of The Swan Princess. Although I cannot compare this version to its more superior 50s live-action version, there are still parts of this film that I really hate and cannot stand. The worst part about this film is the mockery of Chinese people through its Asian caricature Master Little. What I can recall from this character is that there's this running gag that he loses his teeth whenever he gets into mischief. After watching Sleeping Beauty, I don't think humming and whistling "I whistle a Happy Tune" would scare off Maleficent's distant cousin but it did anyway, only because the movie is not over yet. This relationship rips off Aladdin in two ways, adding too many cute animal characters such as giving a pet monkey to Anna's son just so he can give Master Little a hard time, the relationship between Chulalonghorn and the slave girl, and an extremely hammy version of Jafar called the Kralahorn, who just performs evil magic tricks using his magic migraines just for the sake of it. Not even the commercial bait song in the credits sung by Barbara Streisand made me think that The King and I would have any chance of stealing my heart. If anyone wants to watch a magical film full of characters with motivations and outside interests, watch Aladdin instead. It even has wonderful humour that can reach out to its audiences as well as having something to do with the story.

Here's the story: When I was a toddler, I went over to my Grandfather's house and he had a copy of the old classic King and I. He set me off to watch it and I loved it through out. Well, in the presence, I watched this on STARZ and I didn't know what to do but sit through it and think about it. I had to rate it a 1/10 because of how awful this was. Look, I don't remember if the original King and I had this, but this was waay too frightening to look at for young viewers. There is a villain named whatshisname who puts on an evil scheme to distract the village with scary dragons, scary animals, a bloody-colored river, and there is a near death experience with the king. This movie is way to scary too look at with your kids. There is this woman who almost drowned at the part where she gets carried away in the river. I don't think this is nothing copied off of the original classic King and I but here are some subjects about it:The animation was beautiful (almost like a Disney animation film). The script was flat. And the storyline was mostly predictable. The songs were forgettable. The characters are unfavorable.Skip this floppy animated version and watch the original King and I.

This cartoon remake of the 1956 musical 'The King and I' is frankly not worth watching. The animation quality is substandard, hardly fit for home viewing let alone a theatrical release. There are lots of songs, sung rather poorly and will bore the viewer. The pacing is poor with several unnecessary subplots. The story simply doesn't work and there are some insulting stereotypes. Those who have seen the Yul Brynner film will feel insulted. But the rest will be pretty disappointed as well. It's better avoided unless you have kids who have NOTHING better to do.Overall 2/10

My 4 year old granddaughter & I watched this movie tonight. I'm so glad I didn't look at these ratings before watching the movie or we wouldn't have gotten it. Very seldom does she sit and watch a whole movie, but she did with this one. First time she has ever sat on Grammy's lap through a whole movie (without falling asleep). We had a great night watching this sweet movie and a memory that will last a lifetime.This family friendly animated film shouldn't be compared with the 1956 version. I'm rating this "The King and I" a 7 for the movie but a +10 for the enjoyment it brought us.