Disney’s "The Lion King" is always a favorite among my generation. There is something overwhelmingly special about the characters, the storyline and the triumph of good over evil that has captivated the 90’s babies. We cling to our childhood memories of Simba returning to his love, his mother, his home and defeating the malicious Scar until we reach high school.
High School English class has a way of taking our childhood memories and turning them into darker, less desirable memories. In high school, blue isn’t a color. Blue is a symbol of depression in literature. Poems are no longer silly and full of rhymes. They are full of odd analogies and confusion euphemisms.But worst of all, "The Lion King" is no longer a Disney movie; it is a Shakespearian drama.
You read "Hamlet" and…. Boy, does that plot sound familiar? Well, it should because The Lion King and Hamlet are one in the same but with one huge difference! The Lion King has cute and cuddly lions! Who can resist those adorable little creatures pounding around on the screen?
Ever since I learned that "The Lion King" was derived from Hamlet, I have viewed the movie in a different light. I analyzed every piece of the movie and tried to find the hidden context between every small moment. This took the fun out of my childhood movie. As a Communications major, I am already prone to analyze all sorts of literature and movies but not Disney movies. Why did my love for Disney movies have to fall victim to the over-analysis that is the high school English curriculum?
Luckily enough, I was able to rekindle my love for "The Lion King" and to find the ability to see past the Shakespearean nonsense that plagues my inner child.
I saw "The Lion King" on Broadway and it was mesmerizing. From the first note of the opening song to Simba and Nala taking their rightful place on Pride Rock, I was immersed in every 90 baby's dream!
The vibrant colors danced around the room with unbelievable grace, the characters came to life right before my eyes and the music was as flawless as you could possibly imagine. Why did it have to end?
As the curtain fell, the crowd erupted in applause. It was deafening and rightfully so. The clapping alone was thunderous but the screaming knew no bounds. But what spoke the loudest to the shows performance was the look of complete awe in the eyes of the children.
Some people my age will claim they are too old to see "The Lion King" but that is just not true. From the wise words of Walt Disney,“ growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” See "The Lion King" on Broadway! I promise you won’t regret it!
Hakuna Matata!
