Saturday 2 May 2015

Film Review: The Lion King, Part 3

This is our final instalment of Disney’s The Lion King, which I reviewed as I watched it in order to write a kind of ‘live blog’ through the film. Though not quite, since I don’t have the kind of internet connection to actually live blog my way through a film, I do it in my own special way here on my blog.


Last week we saw Simba’s father dying and Simba running away to join Timon and Pumbaa, while Scar took over Pride Rock and everything went to ruin. Now we’ll see how it all ends.

59. I love the moment of recognition on Simba’s face when Nala pins him. And her reaction when she realises who he is. They way they dance around one another reminds me of when you get two playful cats together… which I guess makes sense considering they’re just big cats really.

60. Timon’s reaction is also pretty funny, telling Nala she’s got her ‘lions crossed’.

61. Aww, lions in love. Get ready… CAAAAAAAAN YOOOOOUUU FEEEEEEEEEEEL THE LOOOOOOOVVVE TOOOOONNIIIIIIGHT!

62. Only Disney could make two lions prancing around together look like they’re flirting.


63. Come on! This is practically a lion sex scene! Disney! I’m shocked!

64. Timon and Pumbaa are really a lot more cartoony than the lion characters. I’m not sure that I’ve ever noticed that before.

65. It’s probably just as well that Simba has grown up away from Scar. Surely if Simba had stayed, as his uncle Scar would have been his guardian and he could have pushed the impressionable Simba into his way of thinking. At least Simba’s grown up outside of the influence of his evil uncle. Wow, I’ve never thought about this film so deeply before.

66. My brother used to have one of those books with the buttons that make noises or say phrases for The Lion King. The Rafiki button used to say ‘asante sana, squash banana’ and if you pressed it a lot you could make it sound like he was rapping.

67. I can’t help but think that Rafiki is a little bit crazy. I mean, he’s useful and he does speak the truth and help Simba out, but he’s a bit loopy.


68. I feel kind of sorry for Simba. He’s totally expecting to see his dad and Rafiki leads him to a reflection. I get what he’s trying to tell him, but it’s still a bit of a let down. Even if it is one of those big turning point moments in the film.

69. It’s also very clever how they manage to make two male lions look both similar and different, so you can recognise who they are.

70. This next bit is Mustafa doing the whole departed Jedi thing. He learnt it from Obi Wan.

71. I love the way Rafiki teaches Simba lessons. Like whacking him on the head to help him see that the past can hurt but you can learn from it. I guess that helps it sink in more than just telling him, but still, ouch!

72. Rafiki: ‘The king has returned.’ Looks like I’m not the only one who is obsessed with The Lord of the Rings.


73. Ooh, more pretty animation. Watch the lion run. Who ever thought a lion running through a desert could be so beautiful?

74. The old neighbourhood has changed a bit since Simba was there last. This is one of those ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ things. If he’d never been born this is what the Pridelands would look like. Simba not being around has turned the place into a wasteland!

75. Are those dark clouds gathering because it’s going to rain or is it just helping to set the atmosphere? Bit of both?

76. Love that the sing along song feature includes Timon’s ‘Big Pig’ song. I’ve always wondered exactly what Timon was saying there.

77. Scar’s attitude to being king is kind of the same as Simba’s during ‘I Just Can’t Wait to be King’. He’s king and he can do what he wants.


78. Sign of a guilty conscience: Scar thinks Simba is Mustafa, the lion he killed.

79. Sign of a noble lion: Simba gives Scar the choice to step down and Scar declines, thereby signing his own death warrant.

80. Poor Simba, he still believes he killed his father. Luckily Scar’s going to do a bit of monologuing, revealing what really happened and allowing the truth to come out once and for all.

81. The lions don’t take kindly to this as all. I also love that Timon and Pumbaa run right into the fight and none of the hungry lions get distracted by this convenient meal.

82. Rafiki has mad ninja skillz.


83. The hyenas are not impressed at Scar trying to pass the blame onto them.

84. Yay for Simba finally realising just how bad his uncle is. And then turning the tables on him and giving him the same order that Scar once gave him. Unfortunately Scar still isn’t ready to play fair and there’s only one way this slow motion fight is going to end. And that’s not well for Scar.

85. The hyenas are really unimpressed at Scar passing the blame onto them. And they’re hungry.

86. And because Simba’s back it’s finally raining. That conveniently puts out the fire which was raging during all the drama. Symbolism, innit?

87. After a quick smooch with Nala it’s time for Simba to go take his rightful place at the head of Pride Rock. And he knows exactly what he needs to do, despite having run away from home as a child and missing out on all the training his father would’ve given him had he lived.

88. Oh look, everything’s back to the way it was at the beginning because Simba’s home now.

89. And just to demonstrate that this whole thing is a big circle of life and all that jazz, there’s a new baby lion being presented to the assembled animals.


90. All together now, ‘IIIIITTT’S THE CIIIIIIRCLE! THE CIIIIIRRCLLE OF LIIIIIFE!’


And that’s where it all ends. Unless you go on and watch the sequel, which we might do next week. Check back next Saturday and we’ll see.

6 comments:

  1. That's one of the movies that I really liked.

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    1. It's definitely one of my favourite Disney ones. :-)

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  2. Such a great film. I remember really being moved by a lot of it. I love the circle of life symbolism and the other symbols through out the story. It's amazing the quality of film they can make even when it is a cartoon.

    Great review. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. There's a lot of very grown up themes in there about responsibility and things. I love it when you get a film that kids can enjoy on one level and that adults can enjoy on another. :-)

      Glad you enjoyed the review.

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  3. It's one of those movies that have lots of layers and symbolism that you only catch onto as you watch it a million times. (And oh, I have. My little brother was a fanatic when we were kids.)

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    1. Yeah, I love films that you can watch over and over and see different things each time. :-)

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Let me know what you think. :-)