Do you think The Lion King is falsely advertised?

[Todd23]

I don't know maybe it's just me but it seems like the merchandise does make it look like a wacky, silly comedy when it's really a big, sweeping epic. I mean sure the new re-release trailers and TV Spots had a big, sweeping, epic tone to them and the main things like the posters (well most of them at least: http://photos.lucywho.com/the-lion-king-photo-gallery-c17476426.html) tried for a big, sweeping epic tone as do some of the book covers and, if it counts, soundtrack covers but it seems like everything else tries to make the movie look silly, wacky, and comical:
http://www.disneystore.com/lion-king-the/mn/1000030/?catalogFromSearch=10002
http://www.disneystore.com/lion-king-the/mn/1000030/?catalogFromSearch=10002
http://www.disneystore.com/the-lion-king-flatware-set-2-pc/mp/1290641/1000030/
http://www.disneystore.com/lion-king-the/mn/1000030/?catalogFromSearch=10002
http://www.disneystore.com/the-lion-king-bowl/mp/1290639/1000030/
http://www.disneystore.com/lion-king-the/mn/1000030/?catalogFromSearch=10002
http://www.google.com/imgres?um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=994&bih=614&tbm=isch&tbnid=g_JdfzRxNtXdKM:&imgrefurl=http://partysuppliesworld.com/pages/PartyThemes/lionking.html&docid=WUfjAcZd_GWBfM&imgurl=http://partysuppliesworld.com/media/PartySupplies/lionking/lionking.jpg&w=330&h=225&ei=PUgXT5v1K8ju0gHOo5SgAg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=88&vpy=154&dur=1086&hovh=180&hovw=264&tx=129&ty=92&sig=101226602103257557710&page=1&tbnh=129&tbnw=159&start=0&ndsp=18&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0

I mean, come on, do the party decorations really need to look kiddy and cutesy for example? I mean I wouldn't mind it if it was done in moderation but it just seems like there's more merchandise that shows the comedic side than the bombastic side even though the movie is more bombastic throughout than comedic throughout. What do you think?

[StarlightLioness]

The answer is quite simple. Cutest and kiddy will sell. Every kid is going to want the adorable blanket with Simba and Nala on it, for example. Every kid is going to gravitate to the comedic scenes with Timona and Pumbaa. That's why the third Lion King movie is a schlock-fest starring the meerkat and the warthog. And let's face it, Disney is going to make WAY more money peddeling the cutesy stuff to kids and their parents, as opposed to selling JUST epic themed stuff to adults.

[Todd23]

[quote="StarlightLioness"]The answer is quite simple. Cutest and kiddy will sell. Every kid is going to want the adorable blanket with Simba and Nala on it, for example. Every kid is going to gravitate to the comedic scenes with Timona and Pumbaa. That's why the third Lion King movie is a schlock-fest starring the meerkat and the warthog. And let's face it, Disney is going to make WAY more money peddeling the cutesy stuff to kids and their parents, as opposed to selling JUST epic themed stuff to adults.[/quote]

That's a good point but, then again, merchandise for superheroes (which kids also gravitate towards) is also usually epic themed (I know TLK isn't a superhero movie or even an action movie but still both genres usually do have an epic tone to them like TLK so I think it counts) and a lot of kids did like this movie for being big and sweeping (at least that's what a lot of people say they liked the movie for---on the internet at least. Everyone in real life just talks about the songs).

I think it has more to do with Disney wanting to keep their "happiest place on earth" image because, if you think about it, a lot of their animated movies have an overabundance of merchandise that uses happy happy joy joy elements to sell them.

Though it might have to do with it being animated-if you don't believe me look at the broadway merchandise: there's more epic themed images on the broadway merchandise there and it's also sold to the same crowd!

[TheLionPrince]

First, to answer your answer about TLK being falsely advertised, NO. While I do agree the movie is a sweeping epic, however, there is a lot of comedy for younger audiences, and balanced out with drama for the older audiences, which is a reason why the movie is popular with all ages.

Also, here's was a topic on this forum dedicate to some TV spots aired in 1994 that the movie look like a comedy: viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20390 Thought you may want to take a look at it.

Now, my input on the matter is that the merchandise is obviously targeted toward children than adults. Disney knows kids like cool and flashy items to hold, and merchandise with their favorite characters. Also, you mention the Broadway musical merchandise appears more epic-themed, and there's a lot of merchandise for that due to its popularity, as well. So, therefore, you have a somewhat equal balance of merchandise that make the movie look epic and serious, while there's merchandise that makes it look cute and fluffy, which is what The Lion King is: a movie with a near-perfect balance of slapstick comedy and sweeping drama for all ages to enjoy.

[AdAstrα]

Like other people have said, no. This movie is for people of ALL ages, and had to be advertised as such. There's exclusive collectors items and merchandise for the adults and plushies, books etc. for the kids. It makes sense.

[Todd23]

[quote="TheLionPrince"]Also, you mention the Broadway musical merchandise appears more epic-themed, and there's a lot of merchandise for that due to its popularity, as well. So, therefore, you have a somewhat equal balance of merchandise that make the movie look epic and serious, while there's merchandise that makes it look cute and fluffy, which is what The Lion King is: a movie with a near-perfect balance of slapstick comedy and sweeping drama for all ages to enjoy.[/quote]

Umm while I respect your opinion that you don't think the movie's being falsely advertised I have to disagree with that because I don't count the merchandise of the broadway show and the merchandise of the movie as being part of the same franchise considering the broadway show is more or less a remake of the movie. It would be like saying Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory's merchandise and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory's merchandise are part of the same franchise.

Also, just out of curiosity to those who say they make the merchandise more silly and goofy to appeal to kids, what do you think about the fact that they did make some epic themed merchandise for their Subways kids meal bags? (Note I said some-there is some goofy stuff there):
http://images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=A0PDoS7XiS1PRAIA60SJzbkF;_ylu=X3oDMTA3cnMybzJvBHNsawNpbWc-?back=http%3A%2F%2Fimages.search.yahoo.com%2Fsearch%2Fimages%3Fp%3DThe%2BLion%2BKing%2BSubway%26fr%3Dyfp-t-701%26fr2%3Dpiv-web%26tab%3Dorganic%26ri%3D10&w=1024&h=476&imgurl=www.deviantart.com%2Fdownload%2F258097734%2Fall__the_lion_king_subway_bags_by_beautifulhusky-d49nxhi.jpg&rurl=http%3A%2F%2Fbeautifulhusky.deviantart.com%2Fart%2FAll-the-lion-king-subway-bags-258097734&size=165.4+KB&name=All+the+lion+king+subway+bags+by+%7EBeautifulHusky+on+deviantART&p=The+Lion+King+Subway&oid=397372855bc685b73e869450a5fd5e21&fr2=piv-web&fr=yfp-t-701&tt=All%2Bthe%2Blion%2Bking%2Bsubway%2Bbags%2Bby%2B%257EBeautifulHusky%2Bon%2BdeviantART&b=0&ni=72&no=10&tab=organic&ts=&sigr=12g86jhoa&sigb=13eefbaqe&sigi=132voiqms&.crumb=uf21sCe16Zp

Plus they reccomend the note cards from the Disney store to children (some of which are also epic themed) as well as the Simba and Nala bean bag and the DVD (which has a cover that's trying to be epic themed):
http://www.disneystore.com/lion-king/kids/mn/1000030+1000774/

Again I'm not trying to enforce my opinion on you I'm just curious what you have to say about it. That's all.