The Lion King

Following the release of “Aladdin”, the Disney animation studio was on top of the world. That film, as well as “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Little Mermaid”, were huge hits. Audiences and critics then wondered whether the next animated film could possibly continue the winning streak. “The Lion King” did not just live up to expectations, it went beyond them. Even the filmmakers working on the project knew that their movie would be either a big hit or a flop; it was the type of movie that would not break even. “The Lion King” has a powerful and dramatic story that is fully relatable. Also, it appeals to kids and adults on different levels. The characters in the film are all vital in the telling of the story. The film has many memorable moments and unforgettable music.

At one point during the production of both “The Lion King” and “Pocahontas”, Jeffrey Katzenberg said that the later film was the more likely winner between the two. This led to the many staff members desiring to work on “Pocahontas” instead. However, those still working on “The Lion King” became motivated in their efforts. “Hamlet”, “Bambi” and the Bible all were influential in the creation of the story. There are comparisons also to “The Hero’s Journey” by Joseph Campbell. Once the story was in place, the voice actors, animators and musicians working on the film made it better. The opening shot is one of the most memorable moments in the film and not just because of how it looks. Lebo M. and his African choir, together with the animation, establish a genuine African setting immediately. We then have Hans Zimmer’s rendition of “Circle of Life” by Elton John and Tim Rice accompanying some additional memorable images as Simba is presented to the Pride Lands as the future ruler. As a storyteller, with an opening like that, every scene that follows that first amazing scene has to live up to it. “Bambi” has a similar opening with its beautiful multiplane shot establishing the forest. In “The Lion King” we have some more great shots following the introduction of Scar as the rainstorm begins to form. Zimmer’s score does wonders for this sequence too. For dramatic purposes, we must see the Pride Lands in its best light so as to feel the tragedy of its fallen state under Scar’s rule. We must also understand the powerful and loving relationship between Simba and Mufasa for similar reasons. The scene where Mufasa teaches Simba a lesson is very relatable and touching. As an 11 year old when I saw the movie, I knew what it was like when I was in trouble, as did everyone else in the audience. At first, Mufasa sure makes it sound like Simba is not going to like the lesson he has to teach. However, Mufasa doesn’t stay angry for very long because he loves his son. He takes on a nurturing tone of voice as opposed to the serious tone earlier and at that point, we are very interested in what Mufasa has to teach Simba. We then get a great father and son moment that we weren’t expecting as the two of them play. I also love how we go from dusk to night and we don’t even notice it the first time we see the film. A similar moment happens in “The Jungle Book” between Baloo and Bagheera. Again, Zimmer makes this scene amazing. Through the wildebeest stampede, I learned about the power of technology in animation. I remember seeing in the theater the shot of Simba in the foreground with the wildebeests running toward him far in the background and out of focus. It was powerful on the big screen. When the 3D version was released, I was very excited for that particular shot. If any shot in the film had to be done right in the 3D conversion, it was that one. Thankfully, it was just as impressive as when I saw it in 2D on the big screen. As a side note, I like the line from Banzai preceding the stampede about how he wants to “pick off one of the little sick ones.” It almost resembles a kid who wants to taste the desert that his mom made. In this powerful sequence, we see another comparison to “Bambi” as well as a connection to “Hamlet” by William Shakespeare. Just as Bambi tragically looses his mother, Simba looses his father. Simba’s uncle Scar secretly murders Mufasa and succeeds him as king just as Claudius (Hamlet’s uncle) murdered Hamlet’s father and then assumes his kingdom. We begin to see a story take shape that the filmmakers nicknamed “Bamblet”. This tragic sequence concludes powerfully to the eye and to the ear with Banzai yelling to Simba as he runs away into the desert: “If ya ever come back, we’ll kill ya!!”

Suddenly, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern arrive in the movie in the form of Timon and Pumbaa. We get some funny moments such as when they break the fourth wall during “Hakuna Matata”. This happened a few times in “Aladdin” and so it is justified in this movie as a quick gag. I also like when Timon finds “the little green filled kind” bug to eat. It is sounds like a box of chocolates. The scene between Timon, Pumba and Simba concerning the stars is important. We have had some fun but now we have to get back to the central story. We learn in this scene that Simba has not forgotten his past, nor the guilt over his father’s death. To me, Simba knows deep inside that his father is watching. Some story analysts are hard on Simba. They see him as the Biblical prodigal son who chooses to leave home for an easier life. I don’t understand that viewpoint all that much because he is a child when he leaves after all. He was a victim, he was manupulated and he flees for his life. It is only later as a young adult that he resembles the prodigal son in that he has rejected the responsibilities of his birthright that he is now old enough to accept. Then just like in “Bambi”, our main character experiences true love for the first time with a girl from his childhood. It is an important and classic part of growing up. Then Nala tries to change Simba and he rejects her council. He is troubled when he finds out that the pride lands are destroyed but the guilt over his father's death is still more powerful. The moment where Simba is alone between his time with Nala and with Rafiki is important because he illustrates for the audience why he will not listen to Nala. In Simba’s mind, he is the reason for his father’s death so how can he change that. Nala’s arrival is important from a story standpoint because Rafiki must have something to build on other than Simba’s past. Rafiki is able to help Simba because already, Simba is dealing with unresolved issues with Nala back in his life. Evidence of this is the line: “I thought I knew. Now I am not so sure.” Without Nala’s return, Simba would not be so willing to hear Rafiki out in my opinion. For most of the movie, Rafiki is unfamiliar to us. He is portrayed as an observer up until this point. How can he help? Despite our unfamiliarity with him, we get a sense that he has a great importance. We are not let down by the end of Rafiki's scene with Simba. Rafiki represents the classic archetype of the wizard or elderly mentor that helps the hero like Yoda. He is so wise and eccentric that we as the audience are also led to believe that Mufasa is still alive. The most dramatic sequence in the film starts here with Simba being directed to “look down there” and ends with him running in the direction of home. I must once again indicate that Zimmer’s score, particularly at the end, helps this sequence immensely. Also, we experience this sequence through Simba’s eyes as we realize for example that it is only his reflection that Rafiki wants us to see. Then Rafiki dramatically in a well-animated moment asks all of us to “look harder”. After this teaching moment, Mufasa makes an appearance that is both Biblical and Shakespearean in nature. We might ask ourselves why Mufasa doesn’t tell Simba the truth about Scar killing him. The ghost of Hamlet’s father returned to reveal the truth to Hamlet. I believe that we get a more dramatic film by having Simba return to discover the truth for himself. This moment between father and son resembles a moment in “Bambi” after the main character has been shot and his father appears, telling his son to get up. The message that Mufasa brings to Simba resonates in me personally because it is like the message that my father taught me, which is to “Be a leader and not a follower”. At church, I am constantly instructed to remember who I am as a child of God. After Mufasa leaves, Simba understands what he must do but it is still a daunting and hard task for him. After a long time with no responsibilities, he needs one final push to get him going and it comes in the form of a whack to the head. The idea for it apparently came out of nowhere during the story planning process of the movie and it does so for Simba & us. It is so surprising and opposite of Rafiki’s character that it is quite funny, as is the line: “It doesn’t matter; it’s in the past.” What a great object lesson, especially when Simba ducks. Then comes a celebratory moment that in many ways is unmatched in any other film: “Where are you going?" "I’m going back!” Rafiki’s celebration and the musical score create an extremely powerful, stand-up-and-cheer scene.

The Pride Lands still had a place in Simba’s heart. When he hears from Nala that it is practically destroyed, it resonates inside him. When he sees its fallen state with his own eyes, his resolve is stronger. I like how in the film Timon and Pumbaa follow Simba and Nala back to Pride Rock. They may have been jungle bums but they have come to understand loyalty and friendship. Simba saved their lives (maybe other times over the years not seen in the movie) and when Simba’s true potential is revealed, they throw their cards in with his. The hula gag comes out of nowhere due to the drama that we are witnessing and because of fast timing. The distraction that Timon and Pumbaa perform goes on longer than it needs to and that is funny. We see that the hyenas are obviously hooked and we expect Timon & Pumbaa to run for it but Timon continues to sing with even more flare. Just like in "Hamlet", we go from comedy to drama quite fast. Seeing his mother again helps Simba realize how his decision to stay away from Pride Rock has affected others. Once his mother is hurt by Scar, he has all the resolve he needs to confront Scar. I like how Simba chooses to forget the guilt of causing Mufasa’s death. Hakuna Matata may have led him down the wrong path but that guilt is one part of his life that Simba wants to put behind him in order to fulfill his potential. Scar however is still the manipulative uncle he remembers and it is something he has trouble combating. Scar then makes a pivotal mistake when he thinks that victory is his and Simba is now unstoppable upon the revelation that Scar was the one who actually killed Mufasa. Pride Rock is both cleansed by fire (as is the forest on “Bambi”) and by water in the form of rain. The Pride Lands are baptized as it were so that life can begin again. Both Simba and Pride Rock experience the story archetype of life, death and rebirth. Both “Bambi” and this movie end with our main character atop a high place with the next generation coming forth. One could also say that the story of the Disney studio itself is told in the form of “The Lion King”. The 1960’s were a wonderful time at the studio but then came the death of Walt Disney. In my opinion, the movies that were released in the 1970’s were for the most part not as special as those released in earlier decades and this included the animated films. They weren’t bad; they were just not as magical as the films released under Walt’s supervision. Disney was in a kind of Hakuna Matata state: "Who cares about what we used to do?" The 1980’s saw a new generation of animators come to the animation building who had been instructed by Walt’s own “Nine Old Men”. Because these new animators had been instructed by their own “Rafiki’s” and because people who had left the studio such as Don Bluth were creating better films, Disney realized that they needed to “wake up Sleeping Beauty” and “return to Pride Rock”. Talented people from Hollywood were brought in to help Roy Disney such as Michael Eisner, Jeffrey Katzenberg and others. After a decade of hard work, they made animation history by bringing about what is called today, the Disney Renaissance. "The Lion King" is arguably the pinnacle of this era.

As good as the story is of any movie, it must be supported by other cinematic elements such as a cast of characters, a group of actors and music for example. Each character in this film has a purpose in the story as proven earlier and the cast of “The Lion King” is made up of many famous Hollywood actors to play these characters. I see Katzenberg as the reason why big names were hired to voice the Disney characters around this time such as Robin Williams as the Genie. The reason why this works so well in “The Lion King” is that the actors are cast according to the needs of the story. In the role of Young Simba for example, they needed a child actor who could portray innocence, enthusiasm and also a little rebelliousness. TV star Jonathon Taylor Thomas was perfect in that his character on “Home Improvement” was similar to Simba. Matthew Broderick’s Farris Bueller persona made him ideal as the adult Simba but he also did wonderful in the dramatic moments of the film. The role of Mufasa demanded that his voice be powerful, almost God-like, but at the same time be that of a loving father. Now that the film has been out for a quarter of a century, you cannot imagine any other voice than that of James Earl Jones for Mufasa (I'm guessing those behind the computer animated version in 2019 likewise could not recast this iconic character). It is amazing that the same voice that comes out of Darth Vader’s helmet can be also be used to represent love and good leadership. Jones also has experience in Shakespeare, as does Jeremy Irons who plays Scar. His performance portrays manipulation and conspiracy perfectly. “The Lion King” was my introduction to him and Nathan Lane. I love Lane’s second delivery of the line: “Hey! What’s goin’ on here?!!” It wasn’t until years later that I realized that Rowan Atkinson (a.k.a. Mr. Bean) was the voice of Zazu. Whoopi Goldberg however was no stranger to me in 1994. One of the funniest moments in the film is when she shudders at the sound of Mufasa’s name and then wants to hear it again. I also like the performance of the late Robert Guillaume as Rafiki. This animated film along with others such as “Toy Story” and “Shrek” led to the myth that any cartoon movie with big stars providing the voices is destined to be a success at the box office. It seems that Hollywood animation studios have finally learned in recent years that the cast must support the story and not the other way around. “Shark Tale”, with its all-star cast in 2004, failed critically while at the same time “The Incredibles” became a smash hit and won the Oscar even though most of its cast members were not huge Hollywood names. Again, the reason why “The Lion King” works is because the story came first. I also thought that Katzenberg was the one who brought in Elton John to the project but actually it was the Academy Award-winning lyricist from “Aladdin”, Tim Rice. He suggested Elton because of his talent with creating good melodies but Rice never thought that Elton would say yes to the invitation. Due to Elton John’s love of Disney movies, he came on board and the rest is history. Every song in the “The Lion King” is a hit. “Oliver and Company” incorporated rock stars into its story but Elton John’s songs maintain the story and help move it along. Since “The Lion King”, Elton John and Tim Rice have reunited on both “The Road to El Dorado” and “Aida” to great effect. As mentioned, I was excited for the 3D version that was released in 2011 because I had missed the Imax version in the last decade. I wanted to experience the power of seeing this movie on the big screen once again. Also, I was curious as to how 2D characters would look after the conversion. Would they look flat? I was impressed by the conversion in the end because I was seeing these characters in 3D form as opposed to the 2D form I had grown up with. I could see depth inside Mufasa's mouth when he talked for example. Seeing this film on a 3D TV was just as awe-inspiring if not more so.

At some moments during the production of this movie, the filmmakers would ask themselves “Is anyone going to want to see this?” Bambi wasn’t as popular when it was released as it is today. Would the same fate be in store for “The Lion King”? Also, “The Little Mermaid”, “Beauty and the Beast” and “Aladdin” were all well known tales where as “The Lion King” was quite original despite its influences and themes. Today, those four animated films are the crown jewels of the Disney Renaissance. “The Lion King” has become a famous coming-of-age tale with great songs, an amazing musical score and a talented/famous cast. I like how the theme of identity is explored in this film as it was in “Aladdin”. This was the first contemporary Disney animated feature film that I saw in the theaters. The impact that it had on me can be seen in the fact that I never missed seeing a Disney animated film in the theaters after that point until “Treasure Planet”. The only reason why I did not see that particular film was because I couldn’t (as a missionary in the Philippines, it was expected of me to not watch movies and I supported that rule). Speaking of that, the word “simba” in Filipino dialects means “to worship”. Hans Zimmer’s only Oscar to date was from his work on “The Lion King” and three songs from the film were nominated for Academy Awards with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” winning for Elton John and Tim Rice. The American Film Institute has honored “Hakuna Matata” on its list of the top 100 movie songs at #99 and has honored this film on its list of the top ten animated films at #4 (fittingly enough, “Bambi” is #3). According to me, this is also one greatest animated movies of all time and its musical score is one of my top ten favorites from any film. “The Lion King” is also my favourite movie from 1994. This film was the peak of the Disney Renaissance in my opinion as mentioned and in some ways, not even a Pixar film has matched the popularity that “The Lion King” had in the mid-90’s. The older it gets, the more treasured it will become.

5 Stars out of 5