[quote="Polkadot"]Before you read this, I'm going to warn you this is going to be very long and ranty and I'll keep the bad language down.
This guy, practically calling EVERY character in this film an a-hole, is the biggest one I've seen yet. He gripes about how this movie doesn't deserve "all the success and accolades it's been given". WTF. Does he not realize all these accolades and awards were chosen by a panel of judges and critics - is he saying that HIS opinion is right, compared to the panel of professional critics, 95% of the earthly population who love this film, and the tremendous fanbase? Is he saying he is right when a whole sea of human beings love the film? How much more arrogant can you get, to think that your opinion is the best and the correct one when you are clearly wrong by hard facts, that this film has won many awards and the entire world thinks it deserves them. And not only that, but to try and convince other people into your warped way of thinking!
Simba is not an a-hole. If Simba was good or noble, or indeed if he had a brother who was, that would make the film GENERIC, NORMAL, and UNIFORM, following the trend of Disney films. Instead of starting off good and noble like in most Disney productions before it, they have chosen a more original storyline and CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT for Simba. Yes, he starts of arrogant, but that's what makes him lovable - he's arrogant, he's confident, he's cheeky. He's what everyone would imagine a tiny lion cub (in human terms, about 7-8 years old) to be. And is this narrow-minded, Confused Manure not realizing that Simba is a PRINCE. He is humanly 8 years old, and knows he's going to be future king - wouldn't anyone be excited by that? Wouldn't anyone feel the power flowing through their blood when they walk in public? Simba is a classic child. Every child is selfish and arrogant when they can be, and boy, Simba can be.
And in the first scene, Simba is NOT saying "come on Dad let's do what I wanna do". His Dad PROMISED to take Simba ON HIS FIRST PROPER VIEWING of the lands he will eventually rule, and to tell him all about being King. It's just like any other child waking their parents early so they can open Christmas/Birthday presents, or go on a cool holiday.
The whole point of Simba being arrogant as a child is CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT - as he matures, his personality develops and when he is plunged into reality, and has more responsibility as an adult, he changes. This is a perfectly normal way of developing - every species does it. A child whines for new gadgets like iPods and PlayStations, but when they turn into adult humans they realize the value of money and aren't so frittering with money. This is a perfect example for how Simba develops. It teaches children about growing up and realizing responsibility.
Now, onto Nala. She is my favourite character so I'm going to defend her fiercely.
Firstly, she is not a useless cardboard cutout. She is Simba's best friend from the Pride, and when she appears after 10 years of exile from the Pridelands, she is a symbol of hope and familiarity for Simba. She's Simba's sidekick when they were cubs - she helped get rid of Zazu, she accompanies him when he runs from the hyenas, and their bond is so strong that Simba stands in front of her when faced with hyenas - he stands as a barrier between them, ready to put himself on the line, and even tries to do a intimidating roar while she cowers. This in itself shows that Simba is NOT an a-hole, and not totally selfish, and does not treat other like sh-. He was incredibly brave to protect her like that. And when Nala goes to the jungle and meets him again, it reinforces how much both cubs have grown - instead of being bathed by her mother, she's now been chosen to look for food and help. She's a beautiful lioness, just like Simba has grown into a handsome lion. They fall in love not because they've just met each other, but because they were best friends, they know each other inside out, and they've finally been reunited, and their friendship has deepened. Nala, whens he grows up, also is the one who starts the persuasion for Simba to return, and runs to catch up with him when he returns home. Her support is reinforced in LK2, when she is Simba's second-in-command against Zira.
Timon and Pumbaa. They are not a-holes. They save Simba from the buzzards, and though they may have thought he was useful, they grew to love him as a person. In LK3, their love for Simba as they helped him grow was obvious - Timon fell down a waterfall, got flattened by a warthog, and woke up several times in the night just for Simba.
When they take him in, they help him relax and enjoy himself - not to worry. Pumbaa, especially, has a warm and kind heart, which is obvious. They even care for him enough to leave their paradise-like home to help him regain the Pridelands. They (Pumbaa) even fought some hyenas in the fight.
After 10 years in exile, I'm sure the lionesses would be confused when Scar utters his words, not snap straight to contradict him. Also, when Zazu was knocked out, he didn't know what hit him - and being knocked out, I'm sure he would have forgotten it all. Simba would feel responsible because he is ONLY A TINY CUB and does not have that much brainpower - of course he will feel guilty. From his point of view, Mufasa saved him from the stampede, but then died in it. If Simba wasn't there, Mufasa wouldn't have died - and although Scar put him there, Simba, having just lost a parent, simply can't work that out right now, as his mind is in a pessimistic state.
I think I better stop now, otherwise I might pound my keyboard into oblivion, and who wants to do that? I have so much more to say though.

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TOTALLY! that guy needs a life.
