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The Lion King I was four-years-old, so I’m not sure if I understood any of the actual storyline or if I cried then, or if I was just fascinated by the bright colors and Disney songs. I could not possibly count the number of times I have seen The Lion King nor the numerous times I’ve cried throughout the film. However I am absolutely positive that The Lion King is where I “lost it.”
The opening scenes of the birth of Simba and introductions of all the other characters really set the sing-song happy theme typical of 90s Disney movies. The first few scenes draw the viewer in and keep you glued to the screen until the very end.
The scene in which Simba disobeys his father, Mufasa and gets caught in an ambush of wildebeest, is set up to really get you emotionally involved. The scenes flash back and forth between little Simba, scared and vulnerable, Mufasa, strong and parental, and the wildebeest, dangerous and unforgiving. After Mufasa saves Simba, he can’t save himself. But his brother has the opportunity to either save Mufasa or let him fall to his death, and being jealous of the king throws him off the cliff. Poor Simba, not knowing of his uncle, Scar’s involvement, runs to his father’s side trying to wake him in vain.
I remember crying as a child while seeing The Lion King when Simba is tugging on Mufasa’s ear saying, “Dad, wake up.” Three little words that pack such an emotional punch.
Watching this scene now, I feel more of an emotional tug at my heartstrings. Having lost my father almost 4 years ago, I have a new perspective of this scene. Although The Lion King is animated and the characters aren’t human, it’s easy to have a connection with them. Even at a young age I felt Simba’s pain when I didn’t understand it. Now with gained experience, I understand his pain and can reflect on how different and how similar the emotions I felt as a child and the emotions I have felt recently are.
The next three-fourths of the movie is very happy-go-lucky and full of songs and “no worries for the rest of your days.” Which keeps me re-watching the movie whenever I feel like enough time has passed since the last viewing of it.
Simba and Nala’s lovey-dovey scenes invoke lighter emotions. Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is catchy even without flashy colorful and flowery romantic backgrounds with two young lions rolling around in leaves falling in love. It always makes me feel wistful and an “aww” for their adorable romance.
When the climactic scenes toward the ending where Simba returns to the Pride Lands, set on returning to his rightful place on the throne bring the stronger emotions back once more. Simba climbing up to confront Scar through the rainfall, thunder, and lightning while dramatic orchestra music plays, evokes so much emotional involvement. Although I know the ending, I always catch myself sitting on the edge of my seat, sometimes a tear or two slips while I’m rooting for Simba to overthrow Scar who has let all of his people starve. As they duel to sort out who will rule the Pride Lands they end up in a position very familiar to Scar, the same as when he killed Mufasa. Drama builds as you think for a second that Simba will fall like his father, but then overpowers Scar and forces him to admit his treason to the rest of the lions. The power of the music and tone of the actor’s voices really draws me in even after the countless times I’ve sat down to watch it. I’m always smiling at the end of the film, the success of the hero and the emotional ties developed to him during the movie have me as excited as a child again.
The Lion King has been one of my favorite films since the mid-90s and I continue to include it because of how great a job was done on the emotional connections I can feel to animated lions and the catchy songs that are a part of it.
-Brittany Buckner
The very first time I watched
The opening scenes of the birth of Simba and introductions of all the other characters really set the sing-song happy theme typical of 90s Disney movies. The first few scenes draw the viewer in and keep you glued to the screen until the very end.
The scene in which Simba disobeys his father, Mufasa and gets caught in an ambush of wildebeest, is set up to really get you emotionally involved. The scenes flash back and forth between little Simba, scared and vulnerable, Mufasa, strong and parental, and the wildebeest, dangerous and unforgiving. After Mufasa saves Simba, he can’t save himself. But his brother has the opportunity to either save Mufasa or let him fall to his death, and being jealous of the king throws him off the cliff. Poor Simba, not knowing of his uncle, Scar’s involvement, runs to his father’s side trying to wake him in vain.
I remember crying as a child while seeing The Lion King when Simba is tugging on Mufasa’s ear saying, “Dad, wake up.” Three little words that pack such an emotional punch.
Watching this scene now, I feel more of an emotional tug at my heartstrings. Having lost my father almost 4 years ago, I have a new perspective of this scene. Although The Lion King is animated and the characters aren’t human, it’s easy to have a connection with them. Even at a young age I felt Simba’s pain when I didn’t understand it. Now with gained experience, I understand his pain and can reflect on how different and how similar the emotions I felt as a child and the emotions I have felt recently are.
The next three-fourths of the movie is very happy-go-lucky and full of songs and “no worries for the rest of your days.” Which keeps me re-watching the movie whenever I feel like enough time has passed since the last viewing of it.
Simba and Nala’s lovey-dovey scenes invoke lighter emotions. Elton John’s “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” is catchy even without flashy colorful and flowery romantic backgrounds with two young lions rolling around in leaves falling in love. It always makes me feel wistful and an “aww” for their adorable romance.
When the climactic scenes toward the ending where Simba returns to the Pride Lands, set on returning to his rightful place on the throne bring the stronger emotions back once more. Simba climbing up to confront Scar through the rainfall, thunder, and lightning while dramatic orchestra music plays, evokes so much emotional involvement. Although I know the ending, I always catch myself sitting on the edge of my seat, sometimes a tear or two slips while I’m rooting for Simba to overthrow Scar who has let all of his people starve. As they duel to sort out who will rule the Pride Lands they end up in a position very familiar to Scar, the same as when he killed Mufasa. Drama builds as you think for a second that Simba will fall like his father, but then overpowers Scar and forces him to admit his treason to the rest of the lions. The power of the music and tone of the actor’s voices really draws me in even after the countless times I’ve sat down to watch it. I’m always smiling at the end of the film, the success of the hero and the emotional ties developed to him during the movie have me as excited as a child again.
The Lion King has been one of my favorite films since the mid-90s and I continue to include it because of how great a job was done on the emotional connections I can feel to animated lions and the catchy songs that are a part of it.
-Brittany Buckner