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Welcome to another episode of SithVamp Reviews. Now it’s time to look at another one of Disney’s most famous movies: the Lion King. This review is also because James Earl Jones had his birthday just a week ago and the new Lion King series: The Lion Guard started airing.
The Lion King came out in 1994. The movie opens with a song: The Circle of Life, and while the song is playing, we see that various animals, including Rhinos, Antelope, Cheetahs, Meerkats, Guinea Fowl and Elephants are heading for Pride Rock to see the birth of Simba, the son of King Mufasa. The Baboon Shaman, Rafiki holds Simba up in the air so the Animals can see him.
Then we see Mufasa’s brother, Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons, who is about to eat a mouse, when he’s stopped by Zazu the Hornbill, voiced by Rowan Atkinson. Zazu lectures Scar, until the lion has enough and tries to eat him. But Scar is stopped by Mufasa, and he spits out Zazu. Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones, and he asks Scar why he didn’t attend the ceremony. Scar says that he doesn’t care about Simba.
Later, we see Simba as a cub, trying to wake Mufasa up. When Mufasa wakes up, he shows Simba Pride Lands. Mufasa tells Simba that one day he (Simba) will become King, so he has to get ready. Mufasa also tells Simba about the Circle of Life: when a lion dies, their body will become grass, and antelope eat grass, and the lions eat antelope. But Mufasa also tells Simba to stay away from the shadowy places beyond Pride Lands, because lions have no power there. Then, when Zazu is giving news to him, Mufasa tells Simba how to pounce. Simba pounces on Zazu, but then Zazu tells Mufasa that Hyenas are nearby, so Mufasa runs off and tells Zazu to take Simba back to safety.
Then Simba meets Scar, who, like Mufasa, tells Simba to stay away from the dark places, especially the Elephant Graveyard, but secretly he wants him to go there. Simba is curious about the Elephant Graveyard, so he goes to tell his friend, Nala about it. Simba and Nala say that they will only go to a waterhole, but Zazu goes with them. Simba is still excited about becoming King, so he and Nala start singing a song: “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”.
Simba and Nala leave Zazu and they end up in the Elephant Graveyard. Zazu goes after them and tells them to leave, but Simba says he laughs in the face of danger. This is when the three Hyenas: Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, voiced by Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings, appear. The Hyenas start chasing Simba and Nala across the graveyard, but Zazu manages to escape. After a long chase, the Hyenas corner Simba and Nala, but luckily, Mufasa comes to their aid. Mufasa fights off the Hyenas, but he’s furious at Simba, because he broke his promise. Then, when Zazu takes Nala home, Mufasa tells Simba that one day he’ll be gone and Simba has to take his place.
Back at the Hyenas’ lair, we learn that the Hyenas work for Scar. Scar decides to kill Mufasa and take his place as King, so he sings his villain song: “Be Prepared”, which is arguably the most famous Disney villain song ever. The next day, Scar puts his plan into action: first he leaves Simba in a canyon, and then he tells the Hyenas to scare the Wildebeests. The Wildebeests start stampeding and they almost crush Simba. Scar alerts Mufasa and they head for the canyon. Mufasa manages to save Simba.
But then comes one of the saddest death scenes ever: when Mufasa tries to pull himself up, Scar grabs him and then throws him off the cliff. Mufasa falls to his doom: the Wildebeests crush him. What makes this scene especially sad is that Mufasa dies right before Simba’s eyes. When the stampede is over, Simba finds Mufasa’s body and Scar tells him that it’s his fault Mufasa died, and advises him to run and never return. Simba does this, but then Scar sends the Hyenas after him. Simba runs until he disappears, and the Hyenas threaten to kill him if he ever comes back.
We then see Simba lay unconscious in the desert and vultures gather around him. But luckily, before they can eat him, the Vultures are chased away by someone: it’s Timon the Meerkat, voiced by Nathan Lane, and Pumbaa the Warthog, voiced by Ernie Sabella. Timon and Pumbaa save Simba from the Vultures. At first, Timon is scared, because Simba is a lion, but Pumbaa suggests that they should keep Simba. In the end Timon and Pumbaa both agree to take Simba under their wing.
Timon and Pumbaa take Simba to shade, where they revive him with water. Simba wakes up, but he leaves, because he still feels guilty for Mufasa’s death. But Timon and Pumbaa tell him not to worry about the past, and they start singing a song about their philosophy: Hakuna Matata. Timon and Pumbaa teach Simba about their way of life: to be carefree and to eat bugs, and when Simba grows up, he becomes carefree too.
But all is not well, because we see Pride Lands again: Scar is the new King, but the land is desolate and food has become scarce. Scar has forbidden even the mere mention of Mufasa’s name and he keeps Zazu in a cage. Also, he doesn’t care about the Hyenas’ or the Lionesses’ complaints.
We then see Simba, Timon and Pumbaa again, stargazing. But then Simba remembers something. Then Rafiki finds out that Simba is alive. Then we see Timon and Pumbaa singing the Lion Sleeps Tonight, until Pumbaa wanders off after a bug. Pumbaa is just about to capture the bug, when suddenly he’s attacked by a Lioness. The Lioness chases Pumbaa until Simba starts fighting her. The two lions stop fighting when Simba recognizes the Lioness: it’s Nala!
Nala has come to find Simba and tell him that Scar has taken over Pride Lands. She says that Simba must return to Pride Lands, because he’s the rightful King. Then Nala takes Simba aside, and we hear another song: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. Timon and Pumbaa are singing the song too, but they are sad, because Simba will fall in love and leave them.
Nala then tells Simba why he must come back: Scar and the Hyenas taken over and Pride Lands have become barren and everyone is starving. Simba still refuses to return. Then, when she asks him why he left, Simba refuses to tell Nala, and he runs off. On the way, he comes across Rafiki, who tells him that he knows Mufasa. Rafiki then shows Simba Mufasa’s reflection in the water, and then Mufasa appears to Simba.
Mufasa is upset, because Simba has forgotten him and his own self. Mufasa tells Simba that he must remember who he is and then disappears. This is when Simba changes his mind and decides to return to Pride Lands and face Scar. The next morning Rafiki informs Nala, Timon and Pumbaa that Simba went back. They all decide to go after him.
Simba returns to Pride Lands, only to find it completely desolate. He’s soon joined by Nala, Timon and Pumbaa and they see the sleeping Hyenas. Simba sends Timon and Pumbaa to distract the Hyenas (and they do this by performing a Hula dance number), and then he goes to confront Scar.
We then see Scar having an argument with Simba’s mother, Sarabi, and when he’s about to strike her down, Simba shows up and interferes. Everyone is shocked to see Simba and Scar instantly tells everyone that Simba killed Mufasa. Then lightning strikes the dried out plants below, starting a fire, and as Simba hangs from the edge of Pride Rock, Scar reveals to him that HE killed Mufasa. This angers Simba, so he jumps back, pins Scar down and makes him confess.
Then the final battle begins: the Lionesses fight the Hyenas and Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki take part in the fight too; especially Pumbaa, after Shenzi, Banzai and Ed call him a Pig, to which he replies: “THEY CALL ME MR. PIG!!!” and kicks the Hyenas’ butts. Simba also confronts Scar and first he tells Simba that the Hyenas made him do it. The Hyenas hear this and they feel betrayed. Then we see the final duel between Simba and Scar, which ends with Simba kicking Scar off the rock. Scar falls and he gets cornered by the Hyenas, who kill him off-screen for betraying them.
And the movie ends with Simba becoming King and as he, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa and Zazu stand on Pride Rock, we hear a reprise of the Circle of Life and then the credits start rolling.
And that’s the Lion King! What do I think of it? I love it! It is indeed one of Disney’s greatest movies ever.
Good things:
- The beautiful African landscapes throughout the movie
- The music by Elton John and Tim Rice
- The animation
Bad things:
- Nothing actually
Favorite character:
- Timon and Pumbaa
- Nala
- Zazu
- Rafiki
- Mufasa
- Shenzi, Banzai and Ed
- Scar
Least favorite character:
- The Wildebeests
So overall, I think the Lion King is excellent. I’m giving it 10 out of 10. See you next time on SithVamp Reviews! Hakuna Matata!
The Lion King came out in 1994. The movie opens with a song: The Circle of Life, and while the song is playing, we see that various animals, including Rhinos, Antelope, Cheetahs, Meerkats, Guinea Fowl and Elephants are heading for Pride Rock to see the birth of Simba, the son of King Mufasa. The Baboon Shaman, Rafiki holds Simba up in the air so the Animals can see him.
Then we see Mufasa’s brother, Scar, voiced by Jeremy Irons, who is about to eat a mouse, when he’s stopped by Zazu the Hornbill, voiced by Rowan Atkinson. Zazu lectures Scar, until the lion has enough and tries to eat him. But Scar is stopped by Mufasa, and he spits out Zazu. Mufasa is voiced by James Earl Jones, and he asks Scar why he didn’t attend the ceremony. Scar says that he doesn’t care about Simba.
Later, we see Simba as a cub, trying to wake Mufasa up. When Mufasa wakes up, he shows Simba Pride Lands. Mufasa tells Simba that one day he (Simba) will become King, so he has to get ready. Mufasa also tells Simba about the Circle of Life: when a lion dies, their body will become grass, and antelope eat grass, and the lions eat antelope. But Mufasa also tells Simba to stay away from the shadowy places beyond Pride Lands, because lions have no power there. Then, when Zazu is giving news to him, Mufasa tells Simba how to pounce. Simba pounces on Zazu, but then Zazu tells Mufasa that Hyenas are nearby, so Mufasa runs off and tells Zazu to take Simba back to safety.
Then Simba meets Scar, who, like Mufasa, tells Simba to stay away from the dark places, especially the Elephant Graveyard, but secretly he wants him to go there. Simba is curious about the Elephant Graveyard, so he goes to tell his friend, Nala about it. Simba and Nala say that they will only go to a waterhole, but Zazu goes with them. Simba is still excited about becoming King, so he and Nala start singing a song: “I Just Can’t Wait to be King”.
Simba and Nala leave Zazu and they end up in the Elephant Graveyard. Zazu goes after them and tells them to leave, but Simba says he laughs in the face of danger. This is when the three Hyenas: Shenzi, Banzai and Ed, voiced by Whoopi Goldberg, Cheech Marin and Jim Cummings, appear. The Hyenas start chasing Simba and Nala across the graveyard, but Zazu manages to escape. After a long chase, the Hyenas corner Simba and Nala, but luckily, Mufasa comes to their aid. Mufasa fights off the Hyenas, but he’s furious at Simba, because he broke his promise. Then, when Zazu takes Nala home, Mufasa tells Simba that one day he’ll be gone and Simba has to take his place.
Back at the Hyenas’ lair, we learn that the Hyenas work for Scar. Scar decides to kill Mufasa and take his place as King, so he sings his villain song: “Be Prepared”, which is arguably the most famous Disney villain song ever. The next day, Scar puts his plan into action: first he leaves Simba in a canyon, and then he tells the Hyenas to scare the Wildebeests. The Wildebeests start stampeding and they almost crush Simba. Scar alerts Mufasa and they head for the canyon. Mufasa manages to save Simba.
But then comes one of the saddest death scenes ever: when Mufasa tries to pull himself up, Scar grabs him and then throws him off the cliff. Mufasa falls to his doom: the Wildebeests crush him. What makes this scene especially sad is that Mufasa dies right before Simba’s eyes. When the stampede is over, Simba finds Mufasa’s body and Scar tells him that it’s his fault Mufasa died, and advises him to run and never return. Simba does this, but then Scar sends the Hyenas after him. Simba runs until he disappears, and the Hyenas threaten to kill him if he ever comes back.
We then see Simba lay unconscious in the desert and vultures gather around him. But luckily, before they can eat him, the Vultures are chased away by someone: it’s Timon the Meerkat, voiced by Nathan Lane, and Pumbaa the Warthog, voiced by Ernie Sabella. Timon and Pumbaa save Simba from the Vultures. At first, Timon is scared, because Simba is a lion, but Pumbaa suggests that they should keep Simba. In the end Timon and Pumbaa both agree to take Simba under their wing.
Timon and Pumbaa take Simba to shade, where they revive him with water. Simba wakes up, but he leaves, because he still feels guilty for Mufasa’s death. But Timon and Pumbaa tell him not to worry about the past, and they start singing a song about their philosophy: Hakuna Matata. Timon and Pumbaa teach Simba about their way of life: to be carefree and to eat bugs, and when Simba grows up, he becomes carefree too.
But all is not well, because we see Pride Lands again: Scar is the new King, but the land is desolate and food has become scarce. Scar has forbidden even the mere mention of Mufasa’s name and he keeps Zazu in a cage. Also, he doesn’t care about the Hyenas’ or the Lionesses’ complaints.
We then see Simba, Timon and Pumbaa again, stargazing. But then Simba remembers something. Then Rafiki finds out that Simba is alive. Then we see Timon and Pumbaa singing the Lion Sleeps Tonight, until Pumbaa wanders off after a bug. Pumbaa is just about to capture the bug, when suddenly he’s attacked by a Lioness. The Lioness chases Pumbaa until Simba starts fighting her. The two lions stop fighting when Simba recognizes the Lioness: it’s Nala!
Nala has come to find Simba and tell him that Scar has taken over Pride Lands. She says that Simba must return to Pride Lands, because he’s the rightful King. Then Nala takes Simba aside, and we hear another song: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. Timon and Pumbaa are singing the song too, but they are sad, because Simba will fall in love and leave them.
Nala then tells Simba why he must come back: Scar and the Hyenas taken over and Pride Lands have become barren and everyone is starving. Simba still refuses to return. Then, when she asks him why he left, Simba refuses to tell Nala, and he runs off. On the way, he comes across Rafiki, who tells him that he knows Mufasa. Rafiki then shows Simba Mufasa’s reflection in the water, and then Mufasa appears to Simba.
Mufasa is upset, because Simba has forgotten him and his own self. Mufasa tells Simba that he must remember who he is and then disappears. This is when Simba changes his mind and decides to return to Pride Lands and face Scar. The next morning Rafiki informs Nala, Timon and Pumbaa that Simba went back. They all decide to go after him.
Simba returns to Pride Lands, only to find it completely desolate. He’s soon joined by Nala, Timon and Pumbaa and they see the sleeping Hyenas. Simba sends Timon and Pumbaa to distract the Hyenas (and they do this by performing a Hula dance number), and then he goes to confront Scar.
We then see Scar having an argument with Simba’s mother, Sarabi, and when he’s about to strike her down, Simba shows up and interferes. Everyone is shocked to see Simba and Scar instantly tells everyone that Simba killed Mufasa. Then lightning strikes the dried out plants below, starting a fire, and as Simba hangs from the edge of Pride Rock, Scar reveals to him that HE killed Mufasa. This angers Simba, so he jumps back, pins Scar down and makes him confess.
Then the final battle begins: the Lionesses fight the Hyenas and Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki take part in the fight too; especially Pumbaa, after Shenzi, Banzai and Ed call him a Pig, to which he replies: “THEY CALL ME MR. PIG!!!” and kicks the Hyenas’ butts. Simba also confronts Scar and first he tells Simba that the Hyenas made him do it. The Hyenas hear this and they feel betrayed. Then we see the final duel between Simba and Scar, which ends with Simba kicking Scar off the rock. Scar falls and he gets cornered by the Hyenas, who kill him off-screen for betraying them.
And the movie ends with Simba becoming King and as he, Nala, Timon, Pumbaa and Zazu stand on Pride Rock, we hear a reprise of the Circle of Life and then the credits start rolling.
And that’s the Lion King! What do I think of it? I love it! It is indeed one of Disney’s greatest movies ever.
Good things:
- The beautiful African landscapes throughout the movie
- The music by Elton John and Tim Rice
- The animation
Bad things:
- Nothing actually
Favorite character:
- Timon and Pumbaa
- Nala
- Zazu
- Rafiki
- Mufasa
- Shenzi, Banzai and Ed
- Scar
Least favorite character:
- The Wildebeests
So overall, I think the Lion King is excellent. I’m giving it 10 out of 10. See you next time on SithVamp Reviews! Hakuna Matata!
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This mark as my ultimate favorite Disney animated movie ever!