The Disney Masterpiece. When I was a little kid, I absolutely loved this movie. However my parents did not and thought it had too many new age themes, like Raffiki the baboon being this sort of witch doctor, and Mufasa's thing about the kings in the sky. As a result, I hadn't seen this movie for years straight. However, upon seeing it again recently, I am as in awe of this animated masterpiece as ever. And really, I didn't see any strong new age themes. Yes, Raffiki seems to be a witch doctor of sorts, but the most he does is mix fruits in a bowl to paint on a tree certain things like Simba. And at one point, for a very short time, he's sitting on a rock in a meditating stance, but he's still talking to Simba while he's doing it, like it's more for show.
To be honest, I thought this movie had very strong Christian themes, whether it was intended or not. But it really moved me in the religious aspect, as well as in other aspects. Even from the beginning of the film, I immediately saw Simba's birth scene as a metaphor of the birth of the Messiah. They even had a bright light shine down on him from the sky. Just as well, Simba often plays that role, and as the end he assumes the role of king, just as Jesus shall return as king. And let's not forget Jesus is the Lion of Judah.Mufasa I often see as a metaphor of God the Father. He is Simba's father, just like Father God is Jesus' true Father. In the part where he tells Simba that past kings watch over them from the stars (and eventually he (Mufasa) will too), I saw that as a way of saying that God watches over us (and my brother pointed out the plural sense could be like the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost), or maybe it could be God and the angels he sends to protect us). The most obvious is later in the film when Mufasa appears to Simba from the clouds. First of all, I found it interesting when Simba is yelling to the sky "I thought you said you'd always be there for me!" (this is before Mufasa appears) It makes me think of how we search for God and sometimes go through hard times where we feel like God is not there for us. And yet, He's always there with a plan, just like what is shown in the Lion King, since shortly after that scene, Mufasa appears to Simba. This part couldn't be more obvious, the way it is portrayed. The face of Mufasa appears in the clouds in a god-like manner, and he speaks to Simba with a powerful, echoing voice. Then we see another angle of him, and he looks like the Mufasa we're used to, only he is sitting in the sky, surrounded by clouds and intense light. This couldn't be a stronger metaphor. It is one incredible scene. Another interesting aspect is Scar. His lair almost looks hell-like. And he takes Simba's throne while Simba is gone, just like Satan has dominion over this earth until the Messiah returns. And interestingly enough, at the end of the film, Simba does return, defeats Scar, and claims his throne, just as Jesus shall return, defeat Satan, and claim His throne. Also interesting is how Scar dies. Simba tosses him over the edge of a ridge and he dies with flame all around him, like the Lord throwing Satan in the lake of fire. And when Scar is in power, it's interesting how the kingdom is so barren and horrible looking, and when Simba returns the kingdom becomes beautiful again, symbolizing the kingdom of heaven that is to come. So as you can see, the Lion King can be a very good film for Christians.
Even outside religious aspects, the Lion King is one astounding film. It, as I mentioned, is a childhood film for me, and thus very sentimental. And even in itself, it is easily one of Disney's greatest all time films, maybe their greatest. The score by Hans Zimmer is simply incredible. It may be the greatest all time animated movie score, and it's up with the best movie scores period. It really adds to an already amazing film. I am certainly no fan of Elton John (he creeps me out!), but the song remixes he did for the film sounded wonderful. The animation is another high point. Animation in America seems to have really gone downhill now a days. So many cartoons and animated films are so low quality in this aspect. The characters are fake and simple looking. If only they'd take it back to films like Lion King. This has some of the best animation in animated movies. At the time it was released in 1994, it was incredible. And even now, it seems unchallenged by most other American animated films. And if there's one thing this movie has, it's drama. The story in itself is just excellent. But the scenes are done perfectly. It is a very moving and entertaining picture. When Simba finds Mufasa dead I was on the edge of tears, and I probably would've cried had I been alone. The same goes for when Mufasa appears to Simba from the sky, and at the end of the movie when Simba climbs Pride Rock to assume his throne. You don't get more dramatic than that. It is too amazing for words.
In short, Lion King is easily one of the greatest animated films of all time (worthy of the title of greatest), and definitely one of my favorite films period. It is a movie masterpiece and a must see.
Discuss the film here.
anyway that was an amzing review.I never though of it showing or having a biblical message like that.Pretty good 
