The Lion King (1994)
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Film Background
The lion King is an animated musical film released by Walt Disney Pictures in 1994. The film centres around the lion cub Simba on his journey to adulthood. Who is driven away from the kingdom by his evil uncle Scar, after his father is murdered by scar unknown to Simba he runs away believing that it was his entire fault. He then grows up in the jungle with comedic sidekicks Timone and Pumba. Once Simba has ‘grown up’ Nala his companion in childhood finds him and tells him about the poor situation the kingdom has been reduced to. Simba then saves the kingdom at the end of the film defeating Scar and ending his reign, which had caused the kingdom into suffering.
The film was received in a generally positive reaction from critics and after it’s re-release in 2011 the Lion King has now “grossed is over $987 million as of 2011”2
At the beginning of the film the song the “circle of life” already communicates moral values of that everything must die but that we shall continue to help continue life even after we die. Although the story itself seems to imply this meaning the story relies heavily on “ myths, archetypes and rituals as rhetorical means to communicate moral values”.1 However from a Christian stand point the circle of life can have an altogether different meaning. General media “promotes these pagan concepts as moral ideals needed to save the earth and bring global oneness. In contrast, God’s Word tells us that nature- worship and oneness with pagan cultures bring destruction both to land and people. (Deut. 11,28; Rom. 1:18-32)”3
Throughout the film there is continuous archetypal use of dark and light depicting good and evil. Scar as the villain mane is black whereas Simba’s mane is golden. Interestingly other than the hyena’s that are coloured in dark colours no other animals are except the wildebeests; which have black manes and who unconsciously kill Mufasa.
Although it received many positive reviews there was also some criticism. Finding such problems of racism, sexism, stereotyping of gays, and violence. Foster discerns, “Some … see not family fun but shocking violence and offensive stereotypes: sub-servient lionesses, jive-talking hyenas, a swishy uncle scar, a father’s murder”4 Obviously not everyone’s reaction to the film is the same however female characters do play a minor role in the film.
Despite this, seeing this film as a child you are seemingly unaware of all these issues. Yet you wonder whether the film subconsciously continues to teach children such stereotypes or the views of the time.
References
- Ward, Annalee R. 2002, Mouse Morality : the rhetoric of Disney animated film, University Of Texas Press, United States of America
- 2. unknown. (unknown). How much money did The Lion King gross?. Available: http://highest-grossing-movies.findthebest.com/q/28/763/How-much-money-did-The-Lion-King-gross. Last accessed 5th May 2014.
- Kjos, B. (unknown). The Spirit Behind The Lion King. Available: http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/tsbtlk96.html. Last accessed 5th May 2014.
- Foster, David (1994). ‘The Lion King’ Falls Prey to Howls of Sexism, Racism. Chicago: Chicago Tribune. North Sports Final Ed.: 3.
Animation Theory 