…Seriously? You guys expect me to write about The Lion King? You expect me to write about the most epic, popular, resonant, landmark Disney animated film… ever? What do I have to say that hasn’t already been said about this amazing film? To try and write about Lion King and even scratch the surface of its brilliance is a veritable Sisyphean task. Just look at the opening of the film. Do I have anything to add that could possibly be just as intelligent and profound as those three minutes and fifty seconds of animation and music? Short answer: nope. That video up there? That’s all I’m going to say about The Lion King. Moving on to Pocahontas!
Bit of a cop out, Bre!
ReplyDeleteLion King is a splendid film. I especially love Hans Zimmer's score. People often compare this movie to Hamlet, going so far as to say that it IS the story of Hamlet, just with lions. Sorry, it's not. There are a number of similarities, for example in the fact the uncle killed the king and took over, and the ghost of Mufasa talking to his son. But those are broad similarities. Simba isn't wracked with indecision; he's just feeling guilty and deciding not to deal with it. He's not asked to "avenge his father", but to be the king he was supposed to be.
The wildebeest stampede is one of the greatest moments in animation. I love that it sticks with long wide takes after Mufasa dies. It's very emotional. I also like that Scar doesn't know what he's doing as king; he just wants power.
I do have a problem with the message of the movie, whatever it is. Simba is told that his father's death is his fault so he gets scared and runs away. Then Timon and Pumbaa tell him to live a life without worries because there's nothing you can do to change things... and what's wrong with that? Then he's supposed to come back because it's his responsibility. I guess that's fine when Scar is doing a lousy job, but what if Scar was a good king? What if nobody really missed Simba? Would Nala have ever cared that he never came back and lectured him? I don't know... I'm not sure I'm even saying this right, but the last time I watched the movie I felt like I didn't really understand what it was saying to me.
That being said, the animation is still fantastic, most of the one-liners still work and haven't aged like some of Aladdin's jokes have, and the music is awesome. It's epic, it's moving, and it's a good movie.
Jon, I have something to confess: this blog entry? Most definitely NOT the real Lion King piece. Only a gag. The real one goes up tomorrow. I wanted to let you know how much I always look forward to your comments. They are so well thought out and well written,and I don't think I have ever told you how much I appreciate you commenting on every blog entry since the very beginning. Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you'll keep providing the world with your adept insight and concise yet constructive criticism.
ReplyDeletei was suspicious when there wasn't a quote titling the post.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to the real piece AND the Pocahontas piece (that's a movie that gets overshadowed by the ones before and after it).
Some of the movies i really want to see discussed we haven't gotten to yet, so I await every new post on pins and needles. But I understand the hassle of trying to get something long and thought-out up while doing other things. Back on my own blog I'm still two Glee episodes behind. I appreciate the work you put into it!