I happened to see the movie "The Lion King" a couple of days ago,when i was at my Aunt's place.I was surfing the channels hoping to pick up a good flick.(Yeah,i am missing TV now..boohooo) and i froze my search on the Cartoon Network. The movie had just begun and i was so very overwhelmed to watch the movie!! It's one of my favourite flicks of all times!! I made everyone at home suuccumb to my whim and let me watch the movie. And upon my deliberation and endorsements they did watch too!! And in the end- nobody regretted watching a "Cartoon Movie" for a change! I was teased for being kiddish enough to watch a "Cartoon Movie",but i said "Hey,people,keep your verdicts reserved till the end,I bet you guys would have to swallow your remarks later!!" Bingo!! Man,was i right?!!
I had watched the movie many a times before. But each time the feeling that accompanies me when i watch it all over again is mind blowing!I tried to analyse what makes a "Cartoon Movie" click among the masses. Released by the Walt Disney Pictures in 1994,it is one of the finest animated movies ever made.It has got the appeal to enchant audiences of all ages.
The tagline says-"Life's greatest adventure is finding your place in the Circle of Life". It has got a very simple storyline,which goes something like this- A young lion prince is born in Africa, thus making his uncle Scar the second in line to the throne. Scar plots with the hyenas to kill King Mufasa and Prince Simba, thus making himself King. The King is killed by Scar slyly and Simba is led to believe by Scar that it was his fault, and so flees the kingdom in shame. After years of exile he is persuaded to return home to overthrow the usurper and claim the kingdom as his own thus completing the "Circle of Life".
What amuses me the most is the "Indianness" depicted in the movie.Rafiki the Mandrill does Yoga,looks more like an Indian hermit with his props and his association with the royal family as a baptist for young prince Simba.Apart fom this,most characters bear names that sound Indian. My favourite characters are Pumba and Timon.The duo are just marvellous with all their comical stints and adventures!The soundtracks "Hakuna Matata" and "I just cant wait to be King" are arguably the best animations in the movie."Superb" is one befitting phrase! There are 2 scenes in the movie which i love the most- In one scene,Mufasa teaches young Simba the principles of life. The other scene is when Rafiki tries to persuade Simba to get back to his rightful Kingdom and overthrow his Uncle's unrighteous rule. Its a scene wherein Simba is asked to look into a pool of water and he sees a reflection of his own Father,his majestic voice echoing in the distance, the golden rules of life he had taught him when he was alive. Its one of the heart warming scenes in the movie.
The hit song "Can you feel the love tonight",a romantic number composed and sung by Sir Elton John,is the backdrop for Simba's and Nala's budding romance,both being childhood sweethearts!! The movie has a sweet fairy tale ending wherein Simba ascends the seat of King and righteousness is restored in the kingdom.
All in all, "The Lion King" is a must watch for all generations. Not only does it entertain us,but also teaches us the pious values of family,friendship and love.Well,i am a big fan of "The Lion King",and i dont mind watching it over and over again,cos everytime i watch it,i feel rejuvenated. Its my dose of cheer-up pill!! After all who has escaped agony in life! All it takes is some attitude to get over it.. just say "Hakuna Matata" and dance your worries away... Atleast Timon and Pumba feel so!! :)
Hmmm... Did you know that the film's creators first thought of making an animated movie about lions, they referred to the idea as "Bambi in Africa." The first drafts of the story were written in 1989 - only then the movie was called King of the Jungle.
ReplyDeleteA lot of R&D went in before they made the movie. Several of the film's creators spent two weeks on asafari in Kenya, studying how real lions live. They watched lions hunting, playing and lazying. Once they tied a rope behind their rover and drove slowly as lion cubs chased the rope like house cats. These provided initial sketches of Simba and Nala :)
Hey thanks Parag,never knew about this must say... But definitely one cannot overlook the effort that has gone into bringing out the details of a Lion's behaviour...They could not have done this without studying Lions..yepp. Yet another point which added to its success!! :P
ReplyDeletetrue..thats one of the most inspirational movies..and that was one of the first animated movies i watch..:)
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