The original 1994 animated Lion King, that is.
This is one of the great movies.
Today I have read criticism of the movie.
It goes like this: is The Lion King anti-Democracy? It celebrates kings and kingship.
Just how does this or that aspect of lion society and government work?
Look, sometimes you just have to take an artwork on its own terms.
This isn't Game of Thrones.
The Lion King is not about lion society and politics.
The Lion King is about the characters.
The Lion King is about Simba.
Simba, and Scar, and Nala, and how Timon and Pumbaa help Simba when he needs it.
Above all, The Lion King is about Simba.
When Mufasa says grand things to young Simba and shows Simba their lands, the movie is telling Simba, 'this is your father Mufasa. He is your role model. You want to be like him.' It's all about the characters.
You can analyze lion society and politics and not enjoy the movie.
Or you can focus on the characters and enjoy one of the great character movies of all time which just happens to be one of the most beautiful movies of all time.
Sometimes you simply have to take an artwork on its own terms.'
After all, you will enjoy it more that way, and isn't that what life is for?
God loves you!
Sincerely,
David S. Annderson
P.S. No one criticizes Hamlet for being anti-Democracy. The Lion King is basically Hamlet with lions and a happy ending. Why is it okay in Hamlet but not when Disney does it?
The Lion King has kings because Hamlet has kings, and because a modern Democracy reacts to the assassination of a president in a very different way from a traditional monarchy. You can't simply make Mufasa the President, you wouldn't be able to keep much of the original Shakespeare. The plot of Hamlet only works with a fairly primitive political structure.
No one criticizes Hamlet for being anti-Democracy. Why is Disney's adaptation of Hamlet any different?
Also, no one watches The Muppet Show and criticizes it by asking how does their society work. Why is Disney any different?
We need to start giving Disney the same breaks we give everyone else!
P.P.S. The Lion King 1 1/2, on the other hand, parts of its depiction of society- that focused on the meerkats, Timon's people- very much is meant to be taken seriously! The Lion King 1 1/2 is a very different movie!
A story has to be pretty large and all-encompassing to not have any weaknesses. It must have been great to actually have an opportunity to make a sequel that so perfectly counters the weakness of the original Lion King! Most stories never have an opportunity to do this!