What Made The Lion King So Special?

In paying a visit to the 20th anniversary of one of my all-time favourite features, this post I eventually wrote describes the topics of what made the Disney epic THE LION KING so grand, so subtle, and forever changed the colours of animation. Do not detest this movie for ripping off the anime Kimba the White Lion, even though both are similar in almost every way. While partially based on the Shakespearean tale Hamlet, the inspirational source for THE LION KING (TLK) was from the myths and classical hero stories that George Lucas read and used to invent and perfect Star Wars as his groundbreaking sci-fi saga.

Now, whether TLK is Disney's original best-animated feature or not. We are looking back now on what made it so iconic. But still unadulterated in a mixture of entertainment to appease young and old families of parents, children, moviegoers and animation lovers. Find out if you want to explore the world of Simba when you see him in his adventures, having run for his life from the stampede, or hear the philosophy of Hakuna Matata from everybody's favourite duo of meerkat and warthog. Well, mates, this is what I will tell you in my analysis.

#8. The Music

The music is one of the
film's highlights. Such
containment is the blend

of the organic tribal
percussions and rhythms of
the songs by famed pop

super-star Elton John and

the brilliantly done score

by the legendary Hans
Zimmer. Elton did a
fantastic job with the verse

material he wrote with Aladdin lyricist Tim Rice. He patterned many of these catchiest melodies true to their character and meaning, like, for instance, "Circle of Life", the cheerfulness of "Hakuna Matata", and the underrated song for the villain "Be Prepared". One of these songs, in my opinion, stands out the most is "Can You Feel the Love Tonight", which won an Oscar for Best Song and has always been one of my favourites. I'm referring to the end-credits version sung by Elton John, which I liked the best.

A little-known fact: this song wasn't supposed to be used in the movie when Elton insisted Disney include it. It had gone through a songwriting phase when it was going to be sung by Timon and Pumbaa, but Elton hated the comical nature of the concept and opted for a feel that follows "Disney's tradition of great love songs".

I loved Hans Zimmer for his legendary prolific background music in some of the films directed by Christopher Nolan. It's the one movie that shot him to fame and earned him his only Oscar for Best Original Score. He's done each piece of the background score to match the music in a few songs or most of the film's entirety with the fusion of two African forms of choirs in creating a majestic score.

#7. Voice Talent

Voice acting in animation is still as high as the mightiest for people with acting experience. Without actors to record their characters, there would be silence. Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Whoopi Goldberg, Rowan Atkinson and young Jonathan Taylor Thomas are all known for celebrity status and are doing well in an all-star cast for THE LION KING. The stand-out roles are Jeremy Irons as Scar and James Earl Jones as the hero's father, Mufasa. Jeremy slithers his English voice to portray Scar as deliciously creepy. And yet, he has to pop in the sarcasm and seething for his feline menace. Jones does a better job of making a proper father figure like Mufasa sound regal and gentler than his Vader impression. Sure, he makes Mufasa look like a good dad with a powerful voice you always would want!

#6. Animation

Some kids' movies won't be

complete with animation.

THE LION KING (TLK) is

done in hand-drawn

animation through a

computer and made in

motion at a full 24

frames per second (fps).

Its innovative computer

animation proved effective

with 2D rendering in creating the impacting wildebeest sequence. The characters and shots are at an angle, structure and curve in a layer of frame envisioned by the animation team. It took a lot of time to add the facial postures and make them more expressive than anything on Bambi. That distinction goes honourably to the animators' flexibility in moving the figures to be true to their designs. In particular, Scar, Mufasa and Simba are the most beautifully hand-drawn characters. They also created the angles and moments to have the feature in scale. It's how they designed two unforgettable sequences, such as the Circle of Life opening and the ferocious stampede. Pure quality to animation filmmaking on Disney's original top feature, indeed.

#5. Maturity and Themes

One of the reasons THE

LION KING (TLK) was

unforgettable was the

meaningful themes

containing the struggle
between good and evil, the

lessons of life and death,
the balance of nature, and
the most pivotal message
that young kids need to hear

responsibility. TLK focuses on the character of Simba and how he comes to terms with witnessing the death of his beloved parent. Facing the guilt that his uncle placed on him to make his trauma far worse, he must learn any of the responsibilities before he can reclaim his kingdom. Not only does TLK accomplish some dramatic subjects, but it has reached a darker path with some intensity and drama, from the hyenas to the stampede to frighten some of the younger kids. It led Disney to make a few more adult-themed animated films with mixed results. TLK is tamer with some edginess that would have landed the film a PG rating if it had come at the right time for children to seek knowledge of its themes.

#4. Characters

THE LION KING has not
only established certain

things of its thematic

storyline and its famed

significance to pop-cultural

history. We remember

another vital component

is its characters. They're

iconic, which few I know

of are so comical, and

the rest are plain and simple. Timon and Pumbaa are the memorable sidekick duo. They were hilarious and whatnot too scrappy that this pair of a wisecracking meerkat and the warthog who makes passing wind saved Simba's life. They eventually raise him and teach the cub a thing or two about their carefree lifestyle. Those two are the best mates on-screen. They are the movie's other main essentials.

Scar is treacherous and deceitful to anyone from his closest kin, like his brother Mufasa and his nephew Simba. He has a dark presence and crosses a line that no other Disney villain has done before. He was one of the villain archetypes that committed both fratricide and regicide. Oh, and he's the precursor of Loki, thus sharing the same goals and exploits. There is no single character that I have in mind. Simba is the reason why this cat is the lead hero. I must admit how brave he was as a young cub when he slashed the hyena Shenzi in the right cheek. As a young adult, Simba puts up a good fight with Nala before she pins right back at him, which leads him to recognise her, and he even battles his no-good uncle Scar in an ultimate fiery confrontation.

#3. The 3D Re-Release

It may have gotten a stage musical
adaptation, a sequel soon to have
two now official, a part prequel/
part side-story, and two television

spin-offs. A craze began in 2009
when 3D was more than a

promotional gimmick to view
movies, and every studio started
to pile up the aspect of re-releasing
their classical hits. The first,
however, was expected to be

Star Wars until THE LION

KING (TLK) bumped the spot and

arrived in late 2011. Generations

of fans were most dazzled to see
TLK back in theatres, and every
young child had gone and seen the

film when they heard about it

since they weren't born yet! What I remembered about the hype in 2011. I witnessed the presentation of Simba on the big screen come to life in two dimensions.

#2. Mufasa's Death

This heart-wrenching scene
that everyone in Generation

Y remembers dearly is

Mufasa's death. This terrible
moment came when we
were born in the 90s or

just as young to watch him

die at Scar's betrayal. I can't

show you what will happen

to the perfect dad, who we all root for and cherish. We've seen how Simba can't wait to be a king like his dad, and now the dream is suddenly put on hold. How heartbreaking is that the cub doesn't know that his sinister uncle Scar murdered him so he can have both of them out of the family picture. And what's worse, Scar guilt-tripped him into believing that he was the cause of his death. He had let him obtain his kingship and the reign of Pride Rock. Please, give the poor cub some therapy and comfort!

#1. Opening Scene

One of the last hugest topics
about THE LION KING is 
the Circle of Life intro. Where
the sun rises over the land
of Africa, and the sky
turns to daytime. You
can hear the Zulu chorus
in the background as the
animals gather around,
and they bow their heads

to their newborn and future
king when Rafiki presents him shortly after his birth. The animation crew made one of the best film openings and used it as a teaser to turn the crowd into hysteria. Combined with layers of music and animation, it made them wait before they could purchase a ticket to see this animated hit. Sure pays it similarly 52 years after the classic opening of Bambi. It rivals the majesty of these wildlife documentaries!

Conclusion

That is how THE LION KING (TLK) succeeds in its epic artistry. It had the hugest earnings it grossed in movie theatres worldwide until Frozen became Disney's highest. You will be surprised it's way better and different than having the Disney feature Frozen. Come to think of it. I won't need to watch the now overly-anticipated similar film. I would rather watch TLK as I will see it again sometime or some month. If you have already watched TLK, re-watch it again. If you have not seen the movie, you will hopefully indulge in its impact. Hakuna Matata to all of you fans!

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