The sun is shining (well, some of the time), and the days are getting warmer. The '90s is back in fashion with today's youths. Elton John is touring again soon. Where am I going with this, you may ask? Well, be prepared, as we're heading to the savannah for...
The Lion King (1994)
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| 'Naaaaants ingonyamaaaa bagithi Baba!' |
I told you we were on to a string of Disney belters, and we've got to one of the most iconic in the entire canon. Love it or hate it (and be publicly shamed forever), The Lion King is arguably the quintessential '90s Disney film. With the studio on a high after the roaring success of Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin, this next installment takes things up a notch in the food chain. Or at least to a fresh new continent.
Bringing together musical powerhouses Elton John, Tim Rice, and Hans Zimmer, as well as an all-star Hollywood voice cast, The Lion King was a cultural moment of the decade. Animators at the studio were allegedly skeptical of the film's appeal at first, but after the response to the first teaser trailer — which was literally the opening sequence — they were convinced. Thankfully, it lived up to the hype.
I'm not going to detail the plot, as you've probably seen this film at least 10 times if you're a fully grown adult. However, I will try to pick out some of the elements that I think make it so special, and why it holds a firm place in millennials' hearts.
The first thing that sets The Lion King apart from many of the films that came before it is the astonishing world-building. Having the whole story take place at an unknown time, in a completely unspoiled natural world without a hint of humanity, gives it a vast, majestic scope and a timeless quality. The 'Circle of Life' sequence on its own is breathtaking, the panoramic shots over the savannah setting off the rousing African chorus. From then on, every scene captures the atmosphere of the very best David Attenborough documentary, the details of the ever-changing landscape completely transporting you to another continent.
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| Hoping for a St. Albans property with a garden like this |
Disney animators are no strangers to talking and singing animals, but here they manage to create a world in which the background wildlife is truly convincing, while the main characters emote and communicate as humans would. Simba and Nala performing a musical number atop two flamingos is just as natural as a stampede of wildebeests causing serious damage in the gorge (but let's not dwell on that painful memory). It's this effortless balance that gives The Lion King the best of both worlds — a beautiful wildlife epic, and a rip-roaring Broadway musical.
Talking of musicals, it's no secret that the film's memorable soundtrack & score is a large part of its stratospheric success. Winning Oscars for both its score and soundtrack ('Can You Feel the Love Tonight' beat out 'Hakuna Matata' and 'Circle of Life,' which were both nominated), The Lion King has some of the most iconic music in Disney history.
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| Couldn't miss the chance to embarrass the pubescent Simba |
While Elton John and Tim Rice's songs are undeniably catchy and fit well with the narrative, I think the real magic lies in Hans Zimmer's score, and more specifically in his collaboration with Lebo M., who provides the African vocals and instrumentation. Their compositions and arrangements underscore the most emotional moments in the film — Simba surveying the Pride Lands for the first time, the devastation of Mufasa's death, the desolation of Scar's rule, and Simba's final triumphant return, just to name a few. While Elton & Tim provide the Broadway bangers, Hans and Lebo elevate The Lion King to a spiritual, transcendent level.
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| He's bossed the Couch to 5k course |
Finally, I will break a promise, and talk about the plot just a little bit. You have to give credit to the story (even if it may be derivative of... various sources). The Lion King is the perfect heroes tale, following the pure-of-heart protagonist as he goes from optimism to dealing with loss, through grief, self-discovery, and ultimate glory. What makes it work so well is the ensemble cast of characters that all teach Simba something new and different along the way.
You have Mufasa showing his son how to rule with dignity (and that being brave doesn't mean looking for danger, of course), while Scar teaches his nephew the brutal lesson that you can't trust everyone. Then you have Timon and Pumbaa helping Simba shift some of the guilt that's plagued him since *shudders* the stampede, while Rafiki makes him understand that he can carry the legacy of his father without letting his loss consume him. I do wish he'd listen to Nala more, though. Classic privileged male lion. Anyway, the whole journey comes to an epic yet satisfying full circle (of life) when Simba finally takes his place on Pride Rock, as his father did before him, with all his companions by his side. One of the most triumphant entries in the canon.
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| Left: Monday morning, Right: Me |
Villain Rating: 10/10. Scar has it all — A diabolical plan, some spectacular one-liners dripping with sarcasm, a gloriously camp song, and absolutely no mercy whatsoever. We salute you, evil king.
Best Song: For a film that's full of very famous, karaoke-favourite songs, The Lion King soundtrack really shines through Han Zimmer and Lebo M.'s instrumental score, which gives a magical atmosphere and African inflection throughout. To that end, 'Circle of Life' stands out for setting the tone and bookending the spiritual tale with its triumphant chorus and drums. However, as a standalone song, I have to choose 'Be Prepared' as my favourite, with the cleverest lyrics, catchiest tune, and sassiest beat.
Disney Detail: I love this cheeky little reference. When Scar is depressed that his reign of terror isn't going to plan, he asks the imprisoned Zazu to cheer him up with a song. When he launches into 'It's A Small World,' Scar's response is perfect. It's a delightful way for Disney to poke fun at its own twee ride. (Although, for the record, I'm a Small World defender. Who's laughing when it's 30° outside and you get to 'travel the world' on water, undercover, for 15 minutes.)
Why it's a Classic: This is THE Disney film of my generation. The story is absolutely air-tight, full of humour, romance, threat, and adventure, with a character you root for from the word go. The animation and score are breathtaking, creating a real sense of epicness. The timelessness of the natural setting means that it appeals to all audiences. The Lion King really does capture something unique and magical, securing a place in Disney — and movie — history, that no amount of remakes can dethrone.
