The Lion King - Essay Example

The Lion King is a 1994 production American animated epic musical film produced by Walt Disney. The film was directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff (Demont, 2014, January). The producer was Don Hahn, and the screenplays were edited by Jonathan Roberts, Irene Mecchi, and Linda Woolverton. The story takes place in a kingdom of lions in Africa with influence by William Shakespeares Hamlet. The Lion King main cast and crew include: Rowan Atkinson (Zazu voice) Matthew Broderick (Simba voice), Niketa Calame (Young Nala voice), Whoopi Goldberg (Shenzi voice), Robert Guillaume (Rafiki voice), Jeremy Irons (Scar voice), James Earl Jones (Mufasa voice), Moira Kelly (Nala voice), Ernie Sabella (Pumba voice). Given that the cast concentrated on famous actors. This is one movie that has spark emotions since its release; the stars seem to have a chemistry that makes them tell the tale. Moreover, as Simbas grows up, there is a smooth transition in the voices of the characters which enables the viewer to link time changes. Simba is the young king who likes to please everyone and often gets in trouble is portrayed by the different characters to be undergoing the typical teenage hoods of life. He was born as a future king of the kingdom. But he also needed time to mature, and that is why he behaved like a typical kid who desired to have a life of his own and adventure. The Lion King film is an animation that was produced during a period referred as the Disney Renaissance. Furthermore, the film also can be categorized as a musical film, family film, and adventure film.

Plot

The Lion King is recognized as the first Disney animated film that is not based on any existing stories. The story relies on a classical mythology (Grossman, 2017). The tale tells of the birth, childhood and ultimately manhood of Simba, the lion cub. Simbas birth is announced to an opening sequence of the movie The circle of Life. Here all the African animals gather to hail for their future king. The little cub Simba is held by the spur of the rock, and all the animals hail and the jungle can be equivalent to a political rally. Ironically, the gathering of these animals zebras, wildebeest, monkeys, hyenas, cheaters fudges an uncomfortable fact that these animals many of them survive by eating one another. However, the filmmaker creates a balance between the fantasy of the story and the reality of the jungle. During the early scenes, Simba is shown to be a cute and a trusting little tike who has the belief everyone loves him. However, he is wrong. He has an enemy who is his uncle Scar, the uncle is King's brother and is jealous he wants to become king himself one day.

By King Mufasa inhering his newborn son Simba the pride of Lands, he was sure his son would take care of the kingdom. Therefore, King Mufasa explains to his son on the different responsibilities of kingship and the circle of life which is an integral component to connecting all living things. Scar Mufasa younger brother sets up several traps to kill Simba. First, he tricks Simba and his best friend Nala to go and exploit the elephant's graveyard, and they are attacked by three hyenas who are in league with Scar. Second, he lures Simba into a gorge and has the hyenas drive in a large herd of wildebeest to cause a stampeded that he knows will trample him. King Mufasa comes in to rescue his son, and he hangs at the gorge edge, and Scar sends him falling to his death. He later blames Simba for King Mufasa death and advise him to flee the kingdom (Grossman, 2017).

Simba then feels to the desert and is rescued by his fellow outcast from the kingdom, Timon and (meerkat) and Pumbaa (warthog). Simba rows in the jungle with his friends. His friends are one day attacked by Nala a hungry lioness, and Simba rescues them. Later Nala and Simba fall in love, and Nala requests Simba to return to his land as Scar was ruling the kingdom unfairly and the area had become a drought-stricken wasteland. He is reminded he is Mufasa son and his father spirit lives in him. Simba aided by his friends sneaks into the land at and confronts Scar. Simba pushed Scar to the ground and forces him to confess the truth regarding Mufasa death. Simba banishes him from the land, but Scar tries to blame it on the hyenas, who after discovering Scars plot, the hyenas eat him. Simba then takes over the kingship as the rains are about to fail and his reign begins by restoring the life to the land. Later, the former land glory is restored as Rafiki presents Simba and Nalas newborn cub to all animals assembled, thus continuing the circle of life.

Aesthetic choice

The film was presented chronologically. This is an event from the day Simba was presented to the animal gathering as the Pride rock. His father introduced him as the future king, and it was evident he was the intended future king. After that, King Mufasa dies, and Scar blames his death on Simba who runs away. After that, Simba returns home and confronts Scar who reveals he was responsible for King Mufasa death. Simba asks him to leave the pride, but Scar did not leave before he tried to attack Simba. Therefore, the chronological events allow the viewer to relate to the story with much ease. The viewer can view Simbas progression as a cub until he becomes an adult and along the way, he learned valuable moral lessons. The film is straightforward but presented but considered a masterpiece by many viewers.

Moreover, the aesthetic choice significantly contributes to creating a happy mood to the audience. Since the fill is animated, viewers can relate to a happy mood with the characters. Furthermore, the shapes, lines, and colors of the movie allow the viewer to get the intended message. Example, at the cave scene, were Scar pushes over King Mufasa on the cliff utilizes the dark color to portray the evil in Scar souls. Also, the dark setting also presents to the viewer danger, and it is recognized as one of the scenes that predicted the kingdom was headed for a dark time. The parrot (Zazu) presented himself with bright colors, this symbolized righteousness. Therefore, with the parrot color presentation, there was hope of redemption from Scar ruthless ruling. This was witnessed late on when Simba came but to reclaim his rightful place at the throne.

Throughout the film there a constant change in the scenery which affects the mood of the audience. These changes of landscapes create amazement for the viewers. For example, when Simba meets with Pumba and Timon for the first time, there are bright colors that are displayed, different trees are presented, and different flower colors pop up. This is a clear indication that these three will become friends and destined for greatness. The mood created from the scenery is a sign of happiness. Also, when Simba fights with Scar there is dark lighting, this portrays that it is dreary and shows fear and anger.

Social/Personal impact

The story of Simba growth from when he was a cub till maturity and becoming the king of Pride Rock is a story that many people in the community can relate to. As a young cub, Simba was accused of a crime, he did not commit which was kill his father. Thus he had to struggle with grief as he grew up. When his uncle advised him to flee the kingdom to the judge, he had an opportunity to rediscover himself and develop morals that would make him the great king that he was destined to become for the kingdom. In a social setting, there is circumstance that young teens face and they have to run away from home, and this makes them work hard in life and reach their full potential. The moral lesson of Simbas rediscovering who he is he everyone deserves a second chance, and they can potentially become the best.

Scar Mufasa younger brother had been eyeing the kingdom throne for a long time, and when he discovered he would not be inhering it, he grew jealous. Political rivalry is common in communities. Evidently, rivals can go to great measures to ensure the success the throne. There are some who are willing even to kill. For example, Scar was prepared to kill King Mufasa and Simba so that he may inherit the kingdom. In extreme events, there is bloodshed of people having to sacrifice themselves for others to achieve their destiny. Just like King Mufasa had to die protecting his son Simba during the stampede.

The Lion King movie over the years has enjoyed the attention. Given it was created in South Africa during the time South Africa had gained independent under Mandel, the film is originally interlinked with the community. In the community at the time was a lot of political uproar in the country as South Africa gained independence. Hakuna Matata translated to no worry is a famous saying in the movie that was used widely in Africa and when it was incorporated in the film showed there was no cause for alarm. In due time one always get what they have been created for. An individual destiny cannot be taken away despite the methodology used (Tziamtzi, Kyridis, Vamvakidou, Christodoulou & Zagkos, 2015).

Stage 2 Reflection

Through the analysis of the movie The lion king, I have learned valuable lessons. There is a circle of life that is predestined. I have appreciated further there is nothing that falls into place by chance. Everyone has a marked destined, and it is up to the individual to identify what path in a lie they are on so that they can quickly achieve their purpose in life. Some people on this earth are just evil. The scar is a perfect example of being jealous and an idiot uncle who is willing even to kill so that he can gain the kingdom throne. Therefore, it is paramount to identify the best ways to deal with evil persons. From the film, I also learned the importance to forgive oneself and pursue a childhood dream. It was not until Simba forgave himself and accepted to return home that he was able to achieve his childhood dream.

The chronological presentation in the movie has made me change the way I view movies it is not a must that the film is dramatic and non-linear for it to bring the best interpretation on the different lessons. Though chronological order, a viewer can grow and develop with the characters. Through film, theories presented an individual can evaluate how different styles in sync so that they can demonstrate the intended meaning in the movies. The film has changed my view on how films relate to the society. A simple movie like The Lion king which is an animation film has illustrated the vices and values that are in the society. Thus, a film does not need to be complicated to portray a significant meaning to the community. Even the simplest form of movies can educate some of the most important values.

Some of the skills I developed while analysing the film and will apply in my life is everyone has an individual that looks after them and will do everything to protect their destiny. In the movie, King Mufasa died protecting his sons Simba legacy. Therefore, it is paramount to identify mentors who strive to make us better. The characterization in the film has enhanced by critical thinking skills as I can link them up with their different roles and still manage to identify the relevant themes in the film. In general, the film as clearly showed me some of the dangers that an individual may have to fight to protect their destiny. In the event a person is not willing to fight for their dream then there is a probability it will be taken by someone else.

References

Demont, M. (2014, January). Of Male Friendships and Spirals in The Lion King, Vertigo and The American Pie Saga. In Gender Forum (No. 47, p. N_A). Prof. Dr. Beate Neumeier.

Grossman, B. W. (2017). The Lion King: A Blockbuster Feline1 on Broadway and Beyond. The Disney Musical on Stage and Sc...