How important is Nala?

[PrincessKiara]

I noticed an old topic about "how important is Zazu to the story in TLK" so I wanted to make this topic for Nala. Some people think she`s nothing more than a love intrest to the hero. What do you think? What does Nala add to the movie TLK?

[Yumacub]

She is a strong character, and is a clever girl! She probably taught Simba a lot to learn, and is the only reason he's a good father to Kiara. Overprotective? Yes. But Nala has this sort-of laid-back attitude and she keeps Simba from blowing his top and out of trouble! So she's VERY important! At least in my opinion...

[Jiirani]

She's there to bring Simba back, and make sure he has an heir.

But she's cute, and Simba would be nothing without her, he would have no friends D:>

[PrincessKiara]

My personal opinion is this:

I adore Nala. I think she`s an amazing and very memorable character. Yes, her main function in the movie is to be the hero`s love intrest and bear his child. But I think Nala is more than that. She acts as Simbas voice of reason. She is his guiding light, especially in SP, in my opinion.
When it comes to TLK, Nalas role is being Simbas cubbie friend and later his mate. She also helps persuade him to return to Pride Rock and take his place as king. Yes, Rafiki and Mufasas spirit play key roles here too, but in my opinion Simba needed Nala to tell him to step up.
Like Yumacub said, Simba would be nothing without Nala. She makes him strong, and tells it to him when he steps out of line. She gets through to him in a way no one else does.

I also get the impression that Nala is smart, strong, a skilled hunter and good fighter. Not to mention a kind, gentle and loving mother who has a wise understanding of her daughter and allows her the freedom she needs.

[Panda-chan]

I get the impression that if Simba had never bumped into Nala as an adult, he would not have been motivated enough to return to Pride Rock despite whatever persuasion Rafiki or Mufasa's ghost might have given him. Like PK said, Simba needed her to step him up, since she was the one physical and close connection he had with his past (Simba didn't even know who the heck Rafiki was, and for all he knew his talk with Mufasa's ghost might have just been a dream). She was a reality check. Even when he finally talked to Mufasa's spirit, he was on the brink of either staying in the jungle or leaving, and Nala was the tipping point. Also, having her by his side on the battlefield only made him more determined to have a face-off with Scar.

[Kianga]

Nala is extremely important. She's Simba's best friend and acts as the voice of reason when Simba needs it after they find each other in the jungle all the way through the end of Simba's Pride and has an incredible amount of strength. She's also a strong and wise queen and Kiara wouldn't exist without her.

[atouchofgrace]

Nala is very important. If you think about it, she's "The Heart" of the story.

The Hero: The Hero does not HAVE to be the leader, or the most intelligent. In time, he will reveal his great potential, eventually swaying friend and foe alike to his cause. He needs significant growing up to reach that point. (Simba)
The Heart: Their personality is based on getting the others to recognize that there are more things at stake than their personal vendettas. The voice of reason, the hero's guiding light. Quite often The Heart character will also be The Messiah, where they go out of their way to help all of the little people. (Nala)
The Ace: Heroic and epic. Sometimes he won't even know how great he is, making those jealous even more frustrated/guilty. (Mufasa)
The Magnificent Bastard: Generally, this character is really good at being bad. (Scar)

I get the impression that if Simba had never bumped into Nala as an adult, he would not have been motivated enough to return to Pride Rock despite whatever persuasion Rafiki or Mufasa's ghost might have given him.Simba needed her to step him up, since she was the one physical and close connection he had with his past (Simba didn't even know who the heck Rafiki was, and for all he knew his talk with Mufasa's ghost might have just been a dream). She was a reality check. Even when he finally talked to Mufasa's spirit, he was on the brink of either staying in the jungle or leaving, Nala was the tipping point. Also, having her by his side on the battlefield only made him more determined to have a face-off with Scar.

I fully agree ^^

Simba - "If I don't fight for it, who will?"
Nala - "I will."

[SnowyCheetah]

She's pretty much the only reason Simba came back to the Pridelands. If that's not at least just a liiiiiiiittle important, I don't know what is lol

[Arani]

Nala is the one who thinks things through and gives Simba new insite on stuff. She's smart and kind and loving, yes she's the lover of the hero, but she helps him in more ways than people may think... For instance, she reminds Simba that it is his reponsibiblity to be the king and to be there for his Pride, which I think he had truely forgotten in the movie... she just gives Simba that extra bit of knowladge to get him through the toughest of situations.

[TheRoguePrince]

Simba would be lost without her, Nala is in essence the brains behind the throne. She makes eduacted decisions and keeps Simba from becoming overly agrresive in his day to day affairs. Nala is the quintecential Queen of the Pridelands whereas Simba is King by blood right, reminds me a lot of MacBeth...