The Lion King Discussion

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Greatest disney movie ever? a classic? a masterpiece?

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble but this is not one of those things, people only say that because of it's "box-office success", i just don't like this movie man! It's sooo overrated and it never had an impact on me, although "Beauty and The Beast" did, this is not the omega and alpha of disney movies people! there's plenty of other better disney movies than this such as "Emperor's New Groove", "Mulan", "Aladdin", "Sleeping Beauty", "Beauty and The Beast", and others.

*Runs away so TLK fans doesn't kill me*

Wait, you're bumping this thread just because you want to insult TLK, again.



Well, I guess I shouldn't argue, because the amount of times you've dissed TLK(which is 3 I believe) aren't even close to equal a quarter to the amount of times I've dissed Finding Nemo.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Greatest disney movie ever? a classic? a masterpiece?

Sorry to burst everyone's bubble but this is not one of those things, people only say that because of it's "box-office success", i just don't like this movie man! It's sooo overrated and it never had an impact on me, although "Beauty and The Beast" did, this is not the omega and alpha of disney movies people! there's plenty of other better disney movies than this such as "Emperor's New Groove", "Mulan", "Aladdin", "Sleeping Beauty", "Beauty and The Beast", and others.

*Runs away so TLK fans doesn't kill me*

Are you "bursting bubbles" just by letting everyone hear your opinion?

However, I can agree with you to some extent - I don't measure the "value" of TLK based on the money it earned Disney.

[Lazario]

Well, I guess I shouldn't argue, because the amount of times you've dissed TLK (which is 3 I believe) aren't even close to equal a quarter to the amount of times I've dissed Finding Nemo.

That's okay - no Disney film is beyond criticism. Can anyone think of one? Anyway, Nemo is decent and TLK is microwaved garbage in a lush, colorful package.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

Anyway, Nemo is decent and TLK is microwaved garbage in a lush, colorful package.

Switch the two around, then I'd at least believe you.

[Enchantress]

I think that TLK is a good movie, it's just not one of my ultimate favourites. Anyone who knows me enough on here will know that I prefer my princess films anyway. Probably the only think I'm not too keen on in this movie is two certain characters, not that I'll name them, in case I upset a certain friend I have on this board

I do have an urge to watch it now though....hmmm

[memnv]

Anyway, Nemo is decent and TLK is microwaved garbage in a lush, colorful package.

Switch the two around, then I'd at least believe you.

I like both movies so I won't put either down

[Lazario]

Switch the two around, then I'd at least believe you.

What was decent about The Lion King? Just the colors and artwork. The characters were extremely sad cookie-cutter cut-outs of characters from countless other kids' animated films. The only "life" that comes through in them is from the voice cast, which considering how highly paid and popular most of them were at the time doesn't exactly excuse Matthew Broderick's flat performance, the overly lame and sappy ballads by Elton John and company, and the utter waste of James Earl Jones in a completely predictable and expected role. The humor is so childish that I didn't even laugh at this when I was a kid, which in '94 made me 11. Making flatulance a character's entire gimmick is stupid! The plot is so hackneyed and sentimental, it helps screw in the final nail of The Lion King's coffin. We have a ridiculous male-dominated tribe where without Simba, the adult females (who are older and technically more experienced than he is) play dumb if there isn't a man around to guide them - which I hate to say it, but is so politically incorrect, it actually crosses the line of taste and validates the entire system of political correctness - which I think we all find obnoxious, this film proves it serves a purpose.

This movie is honestly so dumb and stupid, you have to walk into it with your brain gone. And I've never been quite able to do that. Not completely.

[Timon/Pumbaa fan]

What was decent about The Lion King? Just the colors and artwork.

Pretty much everything I can thing off.

The characters were extremely sad cookie-cutter cut-outs of characters from countless other kids' animated films. The only "life" that comes through in them is from the voice cast, which considering how highly paid and popular most of them were at the time doesn't exactly excuse Matthew Broderick's flat performance, the overly lame and sappy ballads by Elton John and company, and the utter waste of James Earl Jones in a completely predictable and expected role.

Well it all comes down to opinion, and frankly, your's is not one I agree with.

How are the characters "sad cookie-cutter cut-outs"? They're much more colorful than Finding Nemo, just as an example, and many more other countless animated characters.

Matthew Broderick does a fine job. James Earl Jones was perfect as Mufasa, and the songs by Elton John are great.

The humor is so childish that I didn't even laugh at this when I was a kid, which in '94 made me 11. Making flatulance a character's entire gimmick is stupid!

Again, all comes down to opinion, and since you believe yours is so right all the time(:roll:) I won't bother argueing. I will say fart jokes aren't the only jokes in the movie.

The plot is so hackneyed and sentimental, it helps screw in the final nail of The Lion King's coffin. We have a ridiculous male-dominated tribe where without Simba, the adult females (who are older and technically more experienced than he is) play dumb if there isn't a man around to guide them - which I hate to say it, but is so politically incorrect, it actually crosses the line of taste and validates the entire system of political correctness - which I think we all find obnoxious, this film proves it serves a purpose.

Now your just being completely ridiculous. I'm sure if you were to nitpick everything, I'm sure you'd find something racist or politically incorrect in everything. No need to accuse anyone of being racist. That's why we have alot of this PC-garbage.

This movie is honestly so dumb and stupid, you have to walk into it with your brain gone. And I've never been quite able to do that. Not completely.

And that's what bothers me the most. So your calling everyone who even likes this movie dumb? OK.

Maybe we should call you dumb all because you have different tastes on things.

Overall though, if you read this, I'd suggest you try something new and *gasp* just ignore it. Frankly, nobody on this planet can like/dislike ANYTHING unless we check with you first or at least, that's how I read your past posts and what you personally are trying to do with your posts, and it's gotten beyond annoying, and judging from the past, I'm not the only one who finds it annoying. And frankly, I'm ready to defend everything about TLK from all nay-sayers, so maybe you should just say you disagree with me and you don't enjoy it before somebody gets hurt.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

This movie is honestly so dumb and stupid, you have to walk into it with your brain gone. And I've never been quite able to do that. Not completely.

Come on, don't be shy - tell us how you really feel about it!

[Isidour]

And here was I, starting to think "hey, is just me or Laz has been really pleased lately..."then I enter this thread

Come on, how you can´t love Timon or Pumbaa...or at least Ed

[slyslayer3000]

Considering the fact that The Lion King is one of Disney's "roaring" success, the movie itself is too deep to understand. Have you also experienced this? That you need to watch the movie loads of times for you to completely understand what its message brings? Yes, it made millions of people cry around the globe. It also made loads of people laugh too. But face it. The movie is too dark, not to mention a brother killing his own brother. I always forward when the "Be Prepared" sequence is taking place. I just hate it. The movie also has some boring parts which made it a dull film. I just can't understand this, but everytime I finished watching this film, it made me weak, like I'm tired and sleepy, something like that. They should've made the movie more brighter and lively. Not that rays of light thing...it made the movie somewhat Biblical.
That's just the negative parts of the movie. The animation, the characters and voices, the villain, the music and score...they're perfect.

[TheSequelOfDisney]

I always forward when the "Be Prepared" sequence is taking place. I just hate it.

I also skip through this song. To me it feels out of place, and that it doesn't belong in the movie. I don't necessarily hate the song, like you do, but I don't find the song attractive.

[Disney's Divinity]

Funny, Be Prepared was the only song in the movie I liked. The rest I could live without ever hearing again.

The movie's okay, but Timon and Pumbaa kind of ruined it for me. It's not just the fart jokes, it's the total lack of true comedy. It's like, "Hey, was that supposed to be funny?"

Now your just being completely ridiculous. I'm sure if you were to nitpick everything, I'm sure you'd find something racist or politically incorrect in everything. No need to accuse anyone of being racist. That's why we have alot of this PC-garbage.

Well, I thought it was interesting how the King's brother takes the throne despite the Queen, Sarabi, still being alive. But, then, there was more than one lioness around.

[2099net]

We have a ridiculous male-dominated tribe where without Simba, the adult females (who are older and technically more experienced than he is) play dumb if there isn't a man around to guide them - which I hate to say it, but is so politically incorrect, it actually crosses the line of taste and validates the entire system of political correctness - which I think we all find obnoxious, this film proves it serves a purpose.

But that's what prides are like. The women do all the work, the Lion rules, and females do not fight males, even if they eat their own offspring.

I wouldn't go as far as to say The Lion King is actually educational, but overall, it respects the African eco-system (If you ignore the obvious need not to have the main characters pounce and eat the others in a bloody feeding frenzy). And while the "Circle of Life" message may be slightly crass for older, more cynical minds, if it encourages a fraction of its audience of children to become environmentally aware, then it's worth it.

[The Sorcerer's Apprentice]

This movie is honestly so dumb and stupid, you have to walk into it with your brain gone. And I've never been quite able to do that. Not completely.

Wow . . you should really get out more Lazario. If you dislike TLK that much your on the wrong forum. Disney films don't get much better than this . . . but then again that is just my OPINION (and opinion is very different from fact).

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Disney films don't get much better than this . . . but then again that is just my OPINION (and opinion is very different from fact).

A lot of people feel that way. Which I guess could be of some influence when certain people go to the opposite extreme in disliking the very same thing...

[RyougaLolakie]

I'd like to say that I love "The Lion King". This film was one of my favorite films of all time, next to "Cinderella" and "The Jungle Book". The story, the music, and the characters were excellent! Timon and Pumbaa really stole the show (so does TLK 1.5, with more comedy) and they're my favorite characters in the entire movie. The hienas (is it a correct word?) are close second. They make me laugh no matter how they act and such. As a result, a great masterpiece.

10/10

[nikki828]

Hello(1st time poster here), I just wanted to say that The Lion King is my favorite Disney movie of all time. Not just because of the story, but because of the memories attached. It's the first movie I remember seeing in theaters, and I've seen it so many times since that I have it practically memorized and the songs are all second-nature to me(except Be Prepared, a song I've only recently grown to love). I remember putting on "concerts" for my parents to the soundtrack and I had cats named Simba, Nala, and Sarabi. As I've gotten older, though, my favorite characters have shifted from Timon and Pumba to Scar and Simba, and it's not a big deal anymore that Johnathon Taylor Thomas did the voice for Simba(until I was like, 9 I thought it was the greatest thing). All in all I think that the story is great, the characters are great, and the music is, well great. It's a true classic in my book.

[Prince Eric]

Switch the two around, then I'd at least believe you.

What was decent about The Lion King? Just the colors and artwork. The characters were extremely sad cookie-cutter cut-outs of characters from countless other kids' animated films. The only "life" that comes through in them is from the voice cast, which considering how highly paid and popular most of them were at the time doesn't exactly excuse Matthew Broderick's flat performance, the overly lame and sappy ballads by Elton John and company, and the utter waste of James Earl Jones in a completely predictable and expected role. The humor is so childish that I didn't even laugh at this when I was a kid, which in '94 made me 11. Making flatulance a character's entire gimmick is stupid! The plot is so hackneyed and sentimental, it helps screw in the final nail of The Lion King's coffin. We have a ridiculous male-dominated tribe where without Simba, the adult females (who are older and technically more experienced than he is) play dumb if there isn't a man around to guide them - which I hate to say it, but is so politically incorrect, it actually crosses the line of taste and validates the entire system of political correctness - which I think we all find obnoxious, this film proves it serves a purpose.

This movie is honestly so dumb and stupid, you have to walk into it with your brain gone. And I've never been quite able to do that. Not completely.

Seeing as this is an animated film, I think "colors" and "artwork" are very important aspects of the movie and thus should have a weighty amount of pull when discussing the value of the movie. It's beautiful and works in harmony with the motifs of the production and the movie itself.

Yes, the plot is highly derivative and the characters are for the most part static, but the same arguements can be applied to virtually any Disney movie or any piece of animation, for that matter.

Pumba's character is a warthog. People associate flatulance with swine, so the lowbrow gags worked in that sense.

In terms of voicework, its not the most memorable. Matthew Broderick's rendition of Simba is highly annoying and problematic, but the guy was just working with what his stock character had to offer.

Overall, I've never been enamored with The Lion King, but that's just a matter of what I tend to gravitate to. For one, I prefer straight musicals instead of psuedo-musicals where some songs are played in the background, even if it's just one (I think that's jarring, but again, a minor quibble). I also like animated films with people as opposed to animals. With that said, there are many Disney classics which I would prefer to this one, but even so, The Lion King is a very good effort, even by today's standards. It has definately aged well and for that, it needs to be commended.

[Lazario]

Well it all comes down to opinion

The only people who ever say that are people with the wrong opinion, or people who haven't thought about what they're thinking / saying. Otherwise, everyone's just going to agree with you and say, "hey- you're right. So let's not ever have anymore opinions at all because they never do anyone any good." I've heard it all before. And you're only half right.

How are the characters "sad cookie-cutter cut-outs"? They're much more colorful than Finding Nemo.

Finding Nemo wasn't a perfect movie. But it was much more entertaining and visually compelling than any DreamWorks or Disney movies in the new millennium that come directly to mind. And it's really nice to see you playing guessing games. Because if you really think The Lion King is so great, you'd be able to answer that question. If you think Simba is a really original character, you're nuts or you haven't seen enough animated films. Nothing in his character's range or cannon is anything new or different. And you're right in thinking it doesn't particularly have to be, no one expects this to be Shakespeare or, like I mentioned before, Gone With the Wind. But the film forsakes a lot of true entertainment value so that it can say it's all about natural characters and a semi-realistic portrayal of what happens in the animal kingdom - so it had to be better. It sentimentalized and softened up animal instinct but expects to get credit for being tough or survival-of-the-fittest. In short, it was a failure. Character-wise, the film didn't work.

Matthew Broderick does a fine job. James Earl Jones was perfect as Mufasa, and the songs by Elton John are great.

Taken on their own, they might be "okay." But when added to this film, they don't work. They're out of place. And it's important that they do come together, which they don't.

Again, all comes down to opinion, and since you believe yours is so right all the time (:roll:) I won't bother argueing.

Eat my shorts, TP. I'm the only one here who ever actually cares enough about what I think to defend it no matter how unpopular it is. And defend it past the point of agree-to-disagree. If you don't understand that, I don't care. As long as you're speaking to the contrary, I have something to say. Besides, you just don't understand where you're wrong. If what I say isn't helping, you can ignore it or whatever. Who am I to tell you what to do? But stop whining about how sick you are of me continuing to explain my point of view. Poor TP, poor, poor TP. Feel better now?

Now you're just being completely ridiculous. I'm sure if you were to nitpick everything, I'm sure you'd find something racist or politically incorrect in everything.

I don't nitpick what deserves to be left alone, and you just don't like that someone intelligent doesn't think this movie's all that.

And that's what bothers me the most. So you're calling everyone who even likes this movie dumb? OK.

Well, if the shoe fits... Anyway, if I was calling you dumb, what would it matter? Does that change the fact that this movie might be dumb? No, not at all. What you or anyone else thinks of me doesn't impact the movie or it's quality. You're hoping that people will agree with you instead of me if you're able to say, "hey look Lazario's saying we're racists and stupid!" If people actually buy what you're saying now, yes, then they are stupid. This film is still overrated as hell. Everytime Disney tries to tell a story about harsh animal reality (Fox and the Hound, Bambi, The Lion King), they make several huge mistakes. This film's no different than those other 2 movies. And there is little to no ground where these films are fairy tales, but rather they only work for viewers who can relate to these characters. What kid can relate to having to fight, kill, and breed to survive?! Any that you know of? Too often these three "animated classics" cross the line into territory that the viewer can barely comprehend - how many of us have ever been animals singing about one day being King of the Jungle? Oy!

Anyway, to take a page out of Joplin's handbook, which I contested mostly because I agreed with the overall idea (just not the way it was used against some), some Disney movies take you to a whole new world full of magic and wonder as well as danger. These 3 animated classics are really just about danger and things that we can't really understand. Basically, putting us in the trenches. It's a formula Disney had not mastered by 1994. Because it had to choose - either focus on the emotional, sappy and spear us the survival-of-the-fittest, or focus on the animal kingdom war and not get so soft. So it ends up with a movie where every scene is made of fluff, not complete, not good enough. Expecting us to root for a one-dimensional character for which nothing he's experienced has been elaborated (or even put on a level we can relate to), in an absurd situation that is unimpressive and incomprehensible in both a kids' film and an adults' film, then realizing it's failed to make the serious aspects work, it pours on the sugar hoping they can make these animals look lovable while they're reduced to killers...

This film is a failure on every level other than the artwork. Sorry you don't agree, but you won't even accept that it's possible that I'm right and you're wrong - so which one of us is being unreasonable again? I forget sometimes. I've proven that person isn't me, because here I am again, elaborating and explaining. You don't much seem to be capable of that. But I don't care - it makes my job easier.