Reflecting on my childhood, Disney movies were a significant part of entertainment and learning growing up. The movies taught children about friendship, love, family, how to do the right thing, as well as the importance of having some fun. Undoubtedly, my favorite Disney movie is The Lion King, which was released back in 1994. It is a cinematic classic, with the story told in the film managing to transcend generations of children regardless of their background, ethnicity, gender, or age. While Disney is very known for its fairytale stories of princesses, I have always loved The Lion King for depicting real life that we endure through animals.
The Lion King is my favorite because it taught me of the importance of family in life. As Simba is cunningly banished from his pride after the death of his father Mufasa by his uncle Scar, the protagonist finds the family in Timon and Pumba. Both families, the lions and other animals that Simba meets on his journey, play important parts in his coming of age and the realization that he was the one to protect his loved ones. The opposition between good and evil is very strong in the movie as the protagonist is determined to bring back peace to his pride that was captured by the lying and the manipulation of Scar.
Alongside with touching upon central social themes, The Lion King is just fun. As the viewers get over the shocking death of Mufasa at the beginning of the movie, they are greeted with the message of optimism and the fact that life goes on no matter what. The “Hakuna Matata” motto that Timon and Pumba teach Simba is one of the most fundamental narratives of all Disney movies: “it means no worries for the rest of your days, it’s a problem-free philosophy” (Allers and Minkoff). It implies that life is sometimes hard and sad, but it does mean that people need to suffer as happiness is a choice. As a kid, I was often signing the “Hakuna Matata” song to remind myself to be less worried about the small things and enjoy life. To be honest, I sing this song to this day.
Work Cited
Alles, Roger, and Rob Minkoff, directors. The Lion King. Walt Disney Pictures, 1994.