June 29, 2010

# 146 The Lion King (1994)

Anointment

Who hasn't heard of The Lion King? It's an all-time Disney classic about a lion cub who is tricked into thinking he killed his father. The plot was inspired by Shakespear's Hamlet, and indeed is very simple. As Richard Bach once said, "the simplest things are often the truest". I think this quote describes the movie perfectly.

The animation is simple, yet very beautiful. I love traditional Disney animation, especially the use of highly saturated colors. You don't see all the little details, like textures and hairs, that you can see in modern animated movies, but it still looks great, and may be it's that fact that this type of animation reminds me of my childhood makes it so special to me.

The soundtrack is good, it's proably my second favorite soundtrack after Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (by the way, does anyone know why so many people dislike Spirit?!). And I'm not only talking about Elton John's hit "Can You Feel the Love Tonight". I think that "Circle of Life" and " The Lion Sleeps Tonight" were just as good as the Oscar-winning song.

I think that this cartoon is mostly for children, even though it is a little cruel from my point of view. To be honest, I can't see what lesson it's trying to teach us. If you have any idea, let me know. But still, the characters are too likable to criticize their actions. I find this movie very enjoyable, and I'm definitely going to show this one to my future kids.

Favorite quote: "Before sunrise he's YOUR son".
Interesting fact: Originally, Scar was going to send adult Nala away from Pride Rock because she ignored his romantic approaches, after which she finds Simba alive and well with Timon and Pumbaa. This idea was ultimately abandoned, as sexual harassment was considered improper in a family movie.

7 comments:

  1. I like this cartoon movie.

    I think the basic thing it is trying to convey is that no matter how bad things get, we can always find friends and that good will overcome in the end.

    Nice choice today by the way.

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  2. If you think Lion King is cruel, watch Bambi. I still can't watch that movie without tearing up ...

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  3. The best children's films are the ones that don't pull any punches or are cruel as you put it. Lady And The Tramp gets me every time. The pound scene kills me.

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  4. I have five kids and three grandkids, and somehow I've never seen this one...

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  5. The Land Before Time made me cry every time I watched it LOL.
    Hey Pat, now I know at least one film on the list that you haven't seen =)

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  6. I think this movie is trying to teach us one of the many virtues - Respect.

    Respect for where you came from, for your elders, for your peers and most importantly, for yourself.

    And to some extent, it teaches us to be fearless for what life has to bring. Be courageous.

    it's one of my favorite animated cartoon. Thank you for reviewing this! Made me want to watch it again!

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  7. April, thank for the movie. Thinking back on the movie, it does leave a good impression, and it surely is very beautiful.

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