Movie Analysis (Summative)

There are many different layers in this film which convey evil parts of the story. The filmmaker conveys it through plot, by showing the many horrible actions and motives of Scar. Scar himself is a character that, along with his hyenas, represents evil. This is done through his actions, and enhanced by his appearance. While all the other lions are golden coloured with bright red manes, Scar has a black one and a scary looking scar on his forehead, not to mention his name is Scar. There is dark, creepy imagery within the animation of the movie which also conveys evil. Gloomy colours, dark images, and dead things are common in the imagery, and in the setting too. The expression of darkness that had the most impact on me was the “Be prepared” song, when Scar rallies support from the hyenas in his plot to kill Mufasa and Simba. The greenish coloured, dark setting and eerie lyrics create an evil atmosphere, while Scar`s wicked scheme sends chills up my spine.

This film can be connected to children around the world. When Scar convinced Simba that he killed his father, he scared him into believing it. Scar was big, strong, intimidating, and older so Simba wrongly believed him. This can connect to children around the world who are forced into believing it’s their fault when it is not, by an adult who, at the time, seems wiser and smarter. This can even go for abuse and violence victims who never speak up because of the shame and blame put on them by the abuser. I find that the Lion King can also connect to Mulan (presented by Madison). The betrayal of Mufasa by his brother is much like the betrayal of Mulan by General Shang when he found out she was a woman. In both cases the betrayers have deep relations with the other. For instance, Scar is Mufasa`s brother, and Shang had been fighting alongside loyal Mulan for months. Both somehow seem to see past this, and break the bond they shared deep down.  

Scar`s plot to overthrow his noble brother as King connects to one of our EQs: what does power have to do with fairness and justice? Scar ends up becoming one of Pride Rock`s most unjust leaders, yet he manages to overtake the King and remain King for quite some time, thanks to his power. Without his defiant persuasive speeches to get the hyenas on his side, he wouldn`t have any enforcers or friends. Without the hyenas, he has no power, which means he couldn`t have been unfair. The Lion King shows the rather dissapointing truth: the more power and influence you have, the more and more you tend to be able to get away with injustice.