My Lion King Forum

Don`t get me wrong, I don`t dislike the character Mufasa in any way. That look and that gesture he gives Zazu that tells him to turn around again is just great.

What I dislike, is how so many movies focus on the father/son relationship, especially when it`s at the expense of for instance mother/son, or mother/daughter. Why isn`t Sarabi in Simba`s Pride, not even mentioned, but Mufasa`s there? Why is it when Kiara and Kovu are watching the stars, she says: "My father and I use to do this all the time", why on earth couldn`t it be "My parents and I use to do this all the time"? Would it be too trivial?

Just look at A goofy movie as well. Why aren`t Peg and Pistol even mentioned, they were both really entertaining characters. Is it just so we can focus on father and son?

A father/son movie that I really like is Kramer vs. Kramer, because it`s much more realistic, and it`s not at the expense of anything. It feels like the boy loves his father and mother equally. Of course I`m sure Simba loved his mother just as much as he loved his father, but that`s not the feeling I get from having watched the movie.

When I see Simba crying next to Mufasa`s corpse, what I feel is the movie makers telling us that the father/son relationship is the most special one. And I very much dislike that. I`m not a heartless person, but that scene just doesn`t move me very much. At least now I`ve explained why.

I agree. Completely. That's exactly what I've always thought. I'm so sick to death of things always being father/son, father/son, father/son. The mother is usually killed off or pushed away and I'm so sick of seeing this. I was very saddened by Mufasa's death, him being my favorite character, but I do agree. I felt as though Simba didn't care about Sarabi nearly as much as his father. However, I know where the Lion King's story originates. He sees his father in the sky, he lives in his father's legacy... and, considering the level of the animation perhaps they couldn't even afford to show Sarabi and Simba's relationship much. Anyways, the mothers usually play little part. But this seems to happen in almost every Disney movie I watch. I'd like to see a powerful film that shows a close mother/daughter or mother/son relationship.

[quote="Cherish"]I agree. Completely. That's exactly what I've always thought. I'm so sick to death of things always being father/son, father/son, father/son. The mother is usually killed off or pushed away and I'm so sick of seeing this. I was very saddened by Mufasa's death, him being my favorite character, but I do agree. I felt as though Simba didn't care about Sarabi nearly as much as his father. However, I know where the Lion King's story originates. He sees his father in the sky, he lives in his father's legacy... and, considering the level of the animation perhaps they couldn't even afford to show Sarabi and Simba's relationship much. Anyways, the mothers usually play little part. But this seems to happen in almost every Disney movie I watch. I'd like to see a powerful film that shows a close mother/daughter or mother/son relationship.[/quote]

Thank you. Yeah, in Finding Nemo it felt like they were just getting rid of the mother quickly so we can focus on you know what. That is a father/son movie to a disgusting degree, in my opinion.

Hm... now I do love Nemo. I think they do this because male protagonists will get more views from all audiences; males don't tend to want to see female characters, and usually classify it as a chick-flick. But they kill off the mother so often it's mind-boggling. Bambi. Ariel. Nemo. Oh. And Lady and the Tramp 2. It's all about the puppy and his dad, they never show him associate with his mother once.

[quote="Cherish"]Hm... now I do love Nemo. I think they do this because male protagonists will get more views from all audiences; males don't tend to want to see female characters, and usually classify it as a chick-flick. But they kill off the mother so often it's mind-boggling. Bambi. Ariel. Nemo. Oh. And Lady and the Tramp 2. It's all about the puppy and his dad, they never show him associate with his mother once.[/quote]

Don`t get me started about Lady and the Tramp 2, although Scamp and Angel are really cute together.

I guess it can be excused, being a sequel. Nobody really remembers it, even though I love it.

Hm... I do think Disney's just a taaaad sexist. Every princess dreams of falling in love. Sure, they're usually confident and cool... but they're portrayed with perfect figures, gorgeous faces, all that. Why can't Disney make a movie about... a princess that wants to climb a mountain? Or tame lions? Something other than fall in love But I'm getting off-track.

I was rather upset at how minimal a roll Nala played in SP, though. Yes, it is a sequel but a long-awaited and very popular one. She doesn't say anything

[quote="Cherish"]I guess it can be excused, being a sequel. Nobody really remembers it, even though I love it.

Hm... I do think Disney's just a taaaad sexist. Every princess dreams of falling in love. Sure, they're usually confident and cool... but they're portrayed with perfect figures, gorgeous faces, all that. Why can't Disney make a movie about... a princess that wants to climb a mountain? Or tame lions? Something other than fall in love But I'm getting off-track.

I was rather upset at how minimal a roll Nala played in SP, though. Yes, it is a sequel but a long-awaited and very popular one. She doesn't say anything [/quote]

Very true.

Well, Rapunzel wanted to see the lanterns, but like you said, her face is literally perfect. She`s just so beautiful that I sometimes have chills. And it`s kinda typical that the beautiful girl manages to hook up with the only attractive man in the movie. But that doesn`t really bother me much, I`m just too focused admiring Rapunzel`s beauty.

Ooh, now I did love Tangled :3 Yeah, she's pretty, but she wanted to see the lanterns like you said. The horse is my favorite character though =D That's not sexist in any way. Awesome film. And, like I said, it's all about what will appeal. Perhaps the movie wouldn't have been liked so much if they hadn't made visually appealing main characters. When there's romance involved, I guess that's a must for films.

I hate it when its just about the father and son, I'd like some daughter/mother screen time. Mother/son too.

Sarabi wasn't in Simba's Pride because her voice actor died and they didn't want to cast anyone else to voice her out of respect.
It's true enough. Father/son is often overplayed in movies. Just because they're both male doesn't mean they should bond more. That's why Ringing Bell/ Chirin No Suzu moved me, it was a mother/son movie, and it was really sad. Mufasa's death was sad itself. Sarabi was shown as a strong character though, she managed to stay strong through everything she lost.