Disney’s highest-grossing hand-drawn animation of all time strides majestically back on to the big screen, looking more sensational than ever in the increasingly fashionable 3D format. Directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, The Lion King may be 17 years old but its age doesn’t show and this reworking of Hamlet benefits hugely from eye-popping technology.

The opening sequence to Circle of Life dazzles the senses with a breathtaking aerial shot of flamingos soaring over the Pride Lands and the arrival of beasts large and small to celebrate the birth of their future leader. The rich, lush colours of Africa shimmer while our hearts stir to Elton John and Tim Rice’s Oscar-winning soundtrack.

A potent blend of comedy, tragedy and utterly believable characters puts most recent animated features to shame and the pivotal stampede sequence is even more thrilling in 3D, dust seemingly clouding our vision as one king falls and another flees from his destiny.

Elderly lion Scar (voiced with villainous glee by Jeremy Irons) plots to usurp his brother, the majestic King Mufasa (James Earl Jones), and seize control of the grasslands in a fragile alliance with the hyenas. The scoundrel orchestrates a devilish plan to kill Mufasa and newborn cub Simba (Jonathan Taylor Thomas), the rightful heir to Pride Rock, by luring them into a canyon during a wildebeest stampede.

Mufasa dies saving his son from being crushed under hoof. Poor Simba is overwhelmed by guilt — inflamed by Scar’s cruel words — and he flees his homeland, finally collapsing in the jungle where he befriends the eccentric double-act of neurotic meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and flatulent warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella).

Years later, the now full-grown Simba (Matthew Broderick) chances upon his former sweetheart Nala (Moira Kelly), who tells of Scar’s despotic reign. Filled with anger, Simba returns to Pride Rock to overthrow Scar and save his family.

The Lion King 3D is an unmissable roar from the past that effortlessly tugs the heartstrings. The script strikes a perfect balance between laughter and tears. Lane and Sambella provide much of the comedy, aided and abetted by Rowan Atkinson as the officious hornbill Zazu.

Atkinson meanwhile reprises his role as a bungling spy in Johnny English Reborn. Following a disastrous mission in Mozambique, English turns his back on MI7 and heads to a Tibetan retreat. Section chief Pamela Thornton (Gillian Anderson) woos him back to help thwart an assassination attempt on the Chinese premier and pairs him up with rookie agent Tucker (Daniel Kaluuya). After a meeting with Agent Titus Fisher (Richard Schiff), Johnny learns of a plot masterminded by a shadowy organisation called Vortex.

Johnny joins forces with fellow operative Simon Ambrose (Dominic West) and sexy behavioural psychologist Kate Sumner (Rosamund Pike) to unmask a traitor at the very heart of British Intelligence.

Atkinson’s talent for physical humour delivers a couple of belly laughs including a hilarious tussle between Johnny and the Chinese premier’s secret assassin.

His contortions are pure Mr Bean while the rest of the cast keep straight faces.

A broken lever on a swivel chair, which causes the eponymous agent to rise and fall during an important meeting, is an old chestnut but director Parker roasts it to perfection.