The Lion King (1994)
You must take your place in the Circle of Life.
THE SUMMARY: The son of the King of the Pride Lands is tricked by his scheming, power-hungry uncle into believing he has killed his father, and flees to to a life of hedonism until his purpose calls him back for redemption and justice. Not just the greatest Disney movie of all time, not just one of the greatest animated children’s movies of all time, but as far as I’m concerned, among the best movies ever made, period. Watching years later as an adult, I notice so many more elements of important moral value than I did when I was young. A true masterpiece of art and philosophy.
FROM MOVIE-PICKER BOBBY: I like the relational aspect of father and son, and the aspect of justice versus revenge.
THE BEST:
Hakuna Matata is actually bullshit - the Circle of Life is the true lesson: ‘Hakuna Matata’ is likely the most memorable philosophical point in the movie: it means no worries! Put the past behind you, don’t worry about it, move on to today and indulge yourself in a carefree lifestyle. And since the song is so catchy, you couldn’t forget it if you tried. But watching back as an adult, the movie’s lesson is actually that Hakuna Matata is total bullshit. Fleeing responsibility to indulge in hedonism only brings Simba shallow enjoyment. No matter how he rationalizes it, deep within him, he knows his true purpose is much more: it’s to build a family and carry on his father’s legacy. And crucially, it’s primarily Simba’s wife that helps him see this purpose again. It is not a carefree lifestyle and relaxation that brings Simba happiness. It is responsibility through his wife and family. The Circle of Life is the movie’s actual lesson - that through family, you complete all phases of life, and find happiness and satisfaction.
Indeed, Hakuna Matata is outright mocked several times in ways I never noticed as a kid. Rafiki smacks Simba on the head and when Simba objects, Rafiki laughs at him and says ‘it doesn’t matter! It’s in the past!’ When Simba argues with Nala about returning home, he tries to explain Hakuna Matata to her, saying ‘sometimes bad things happen and there’s nothing you can do about it, so why worry?’ Nala snaps back, ‘because it’s your responsibility!’
In another layer of this lesson that I appreciate, despite the fact that they filled Simba’s head with hedonist nonsense, Timon and Pumbaa are not portrayed as villains for it. They are still portrayed as friends, and I think that’s for a reason. Even if it’s philosophically misguided, a friend who supports you and tells you not to worry is still valuable, so long as you recognize that friend is to help you get somewhere, not sit on your ass and waste time forever.
The whole plotline is an incredible demonstration of what it means to become a man. Sure, enjoy some thrill-seeking bullshit in your younger years, but never lose focus on your purpose and responsibilities - to complete the Circle of Life.
Hukana Matata song
It doesn’t matter - it’s in the past!
Because it’s your responsiblity!
The importance of fatherhood: It’s so refreshing to see a movie that so perfectly portrays the importance of fatherhood, in an age where everything masculine is trivialized, mocked, and even demonized. The Lion King beautifully demonstrates there are certain things that only fathers can do for sons, and only sons can do for fathers: moral guidance, companionship, pride, and more. The way Mufasa guides and saves Simba is obvious, but equally as important is the way that Simba gives Mufasa new life. When Simba sees his father in his own reflection, it’s a beautiful demonstration that our role as men isn’t just to guide our sons - it’s to make our fathers proud, too.
And no, The Lion King doesn’t illustrate this point by making women irrelevant, though Simba’s mom nearly is. As discussed above, it’s Nala who pushes Simba to complete his journey from son to father. There is no fatherhood and there are no sons without women, and this movie respects that fact.
You are your father’s reflection
The importance of restraint and perspective in power: The movie also has crucial lessons about power, and who should wield it and how. Mufasa, as a good king, teaches lessons about restraint and respect. Power is not about domination. Power is about guiding things toward their moral purpose. That’s why Mufasa teaches Simba about respecting the antelope - that by abusing others, we abuse ourselves in that we undermine the moral framework of the world and create a worse place for everybody.
And it’s not just Mufasa’s theory - it plays out. Unlike Mufasa, Scar thirsts for power for its own sake, not in pursuit of moral structure, and the Pride Lands suffer for it, to near total ruin. And notice, it’s only when Simba doesn’t want the power that he too becomes a good king. As a cub, he ‘can’t wait to be king,’ and Mufasa cautions him against such ambition. As an adult, he understands power’s responsibility, and because he hesitates to assume power, he actually wields it correctly.
Mufasa’s lesson about restraint in power
Is the movie anti-globalist?: I doubt this is an intentional message, certainly in today’s political context nearly two decades later, but it is notable that the movie includes strong themes of separation and borders. You must never go to the shadow lands, Simba. Indeed, once the hyenas and lions integrate, the entire ecosystem decays. Closed borders create prosperity in this movie - the cultural melting pot creates suffering.
Fantastic scripting: Aside from all I’ve said about the movie’s philosophical lessons, its clever comedic writing is also excellent. Timon and Pumbaa’s lines are especially well-written. ‘Gee, he looks blue. I’d say brownish gold!’ Pumbaa’s line about foolishly thinking the stars are giant balls of gas burning billions of miles away is hilarious. In a subtle point later, Timon is confused about who is who and what’s happening, and asks ‘the monkey is his uncle?,’ referring to Simba and Rafiki, confused about Scar. But interestingly, early in the movie, Simba asks Scar, ‘when I’m king, what’ll that make you?’ Scar responds, ‘a monkey’s uncle.’ The Circle of Dad Jokes.
Devastating death scene: What can I write that isn’t obvious, but damn - every single time, Mufasa’s death hits like a sledgehammer. I don’t cry at movies, but it’s as close as I’ll ever come. The father’s sacrifice for his son, the son finding his dead father, unable to cope with reality and desperately urging his dad to get up - just devastating.
Absolutely gorgeous art, animation, and music: So far I’ve mentioned only the writing and themes, but the movie is exceptional in its artistic presentation as well. The art style is brightly vivid and beautiful, but underrated is the skill in animation and the subtleties of the movements: the way Simba displays emotion with his posture and ears, the waddle of Pumbaa, Rafiki’s crooked bite of fruit and jubilation upon realizing that Simba is alive - there’s so much character and expression in the movie that is non-verbal, an incredible achievement of artistry.
Oh yeah, and the music kicks ass - among the greatest movie soundtracks ever.
As iconic an intro as has ever been created: Speaking of, the movie’s intro is nothing short of legendary. Up there with Star Wars as an absolute icon. As soon as you hear it, you know exactly what it is. NAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!! Though, apparently, the official script says it’s ‘nants.’
Best intro ever
THE WORST: These are really insignificant points, and more to fill out the format of ‘the worst’ section, but a few oddities I noticed:
Why does Mufasa trust Scar with watching Simba so frequently?: Mufasa is under no illusions about Scar’s treachery throughout. He never trusts Scar, and their first interaction in the movie is Mufasa angry with Scar for not attending Simba’s presentation ceremony. If Mufasa understands Scar is devious, why is Simba commonly with Scar unaccompanied? Nobody is watching Simba when Scar convinces him to go to the elephant graveyard. Nobody is watching Simba when Scar leaves him in the stampede gorge.
Maybe Mufasa’s excuse is that he doesn’t intentionally leave Simba with Scar, that Simba just finds his way there, but even still, what kind of dad has no idea where his young son is or what he’s doing?
Where are all the other male lions?: As far as is presented, Mufasa and Scar are the only adult male lions in the pride. Perhaps this is to be biologically accurate, as a real lion pride usually contains three adult males maximum, and a dozen or so females with whom they breed. If this is the premise, however, it creates other questions: who is Nala’s dad? Mufasa? Scar? If so, aren’t Nala and Simba related? Additionally, it’s strongly implied that Mufasa and Simba’s mom Sarabi are in a monogamous relationship. But who’s slaying all the other lionesses then? Are they celibate?
Completely irrelevant to the movie’s broad themes, I get it. I just couldn’t help but wonder.
THE RATING: 5/5 Wickies - an absolute masterpiece in all aspects: crucially important philosophy, beautiful visual and audio presentation, and clever writing too. As soon as my son is old enough to understand movies, The Lion King is at the top of the viewing list.
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NEXT WEEK: Training Day (2001)
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