“The Lion King” is a story about a young lion cub named Simba that runs away from his home after the death of his father Mufasa. The movie then depicts the cub’s journey into adulthood and his eventual accepting of his royal destiny. Throughout the movie “The Lion King” the theme of circle of life is ever-present.
The movie starts with this theme of the circle of life by showing the day Simba was born and how the whole savannah came to pay homage to his birth. Simba had a happy and fun filled childhood as a prince. However, he always seems to get into trouble when he listens to his evil uncle, Scar. Scar convinces him to go to an elephant graveyard and he decides to take his best friend Nala. Together they entered into a dangerous zone, which was the land of the hyenas, and Mufasa had to come save them from being killed. Later that night while Musafa was taking them home he decided to have a heart to heart with Simba and then he called Simba over. While Simba walked towards his father he stepped in his father’s footprint, this was emphasized in the film to support the reoccurring theme of the circle of life. Musafa then gives a speech to Simba about the stars in the sky. He tells Simba that the stars are the kings of past looking over us. This again stresses the theme of the circle of life by referencing how the past leaders are still alive they just transcended form from a physical to a spiritual form and can always be found in the present and future.
Simba’s life was soon to have a dramatic change when his malicious uncle Scar would complete an evil plan to kill Mufasa his brother by putting Simba in danger. After killing his brother Scar blames Simba for the death of Musafa by saying that if you weren’t in danger Musafa would still be alive because he wouldn’t have had to risk his life for yours. Scar then convinces Simba to leave the kingdom and never return so that he can become King.
Simba then went to live in exile and this is where he finds Timone and Pumba. They teach him a new philosophy called “Hakunnah Mattata” which is one of forgetting the past and the future and simply live for the present. While he is living this new carefree life his kingdom is suffering under the new rule of Scar. The movie then shows Simba, Timone and Pumba discussing what the stars were. When Simba gives his father’s opinion they all have a laugh about it and he feels rather hurt so he walks towards a cliff where the movie then goes into a cut off scene where leaves are shown flowing in the wind for a good amount of time. This again shows the passing of time, the changing of seasons and the idea of the circle of life.
Simba then goes on to randomly meet his father’s old friend Rafiki. Rafiki reminds Simba about how his father is not truly dead, rather he transcended forms like the other great leaders of past. He shows Simba how Musafa lives inside him and will always be there if Simba needs help. Simba then has a vision of his father forming in the stars and his father tells him you are more than what you have become and you must take your place in the circle of life. He is reminding Simba that he is a prince and he must give up his new worry-free life style and accept his royal destiny to ensure the balance in the circle of life.
“The Lion King” is one of the greatest movies made by Disney and has been watched by the children of the old generation as well as the new generation. The lessons this movie has to offer such as “put the past behind you” and understanding the delicate balance of the circle of life are important for almost every person to know. What is even greater about this version of the movie is that it is in incredible 3-D. This helps the person feel like they are a part of the movie and allows them to suffer the hardships Simba did right alongside him. This is truly an inspiring movie that will touch the heart of people of all ages.
