I would've love if the movie was more serious

[Sigurd]

I am not a big fan of TLK 1,5, it is definitely the worst of the three TLK movies. But one part I enjoy with the movie is Timons back story. It is when the movie changes its tone from serious to childish that the spiral starts to go downwards. If the filmmakers would've had kept the same storyline but make it more serious like in the first two movies, if they would've created a lot more conflicts between the characters and shown more of Timons personal struggle, I would definitely have seen it as a great movie, because I love the character Timon. This movie had so much potential but they just blew it all away by mocking Lion King 1 and becoming too childish.

[Timon the great]

Now hold on there Simbaist. First off. I already knew you like Him. But seeing now that that "like" for him is a little more of "love", is something I hadn't seen from you 'till now. I know what I have written below, is a long reply. But as someone who has been studying the Timon of TLK 1.5 for a while already, I strongly invite you to take time reading this.

Reading what you said in your first sentence kind of sounded like to me that you were, in some way, forced to say that. It may be because of what's been said about this film by other members. I don't know for sure. But I can tell you right now that this film Is centered on Timon. It's not just about his back story. But also, his journey in finding his place in life. I know that a good part of the movie doesn't make this very obvious, and instead, shows a little more of the T & P buddy thing. But in order to understand what I say here, you have to look at Timon, in the entire film.

Yes. Like you, I would've wanted to see more of Timon's life and struggles. Especially while he was growing up in his meerkat colony. But if the creators had tried to make it too serious for him in his film, then it would've hurt this character and made him into someone that I know, Timon is not meant to be. It's just like if he was to be made an antagonist or villain in TLK 1. You wouldn't see that as being right for him. Would you? I have never seen Timon as a "bad guy" in the films, regardless of All of his behavior. I truly never have, and I never will.

Now, comedy is a major element of this meerkat. I love that he is very funny. Especially when he doesn't even try to be in the films. But instead of just showing Timon to be more of a fun & games type supporting character and comic relief in the previous TLK films; as the very main protagonist of TLK 1.5, his humor is much more meaningful in this one.

But based on what you have stated concerning the seriousness outside of the beginning scenes for Timon, take this scene. He really did it here (and even for Rafiki!). The whole thing is funny. But at the same time, for his story in this film, Timon realizes that he made a major personal mistake after he was left alone in the jungle. See, he found (as he had desired in the beginning), a place of his own. But now that he had that place, he thought "Hakuna Matata" was really in his grasp. That is, until Rafiki helps him realize what the very familiar phrase and philosophy, really is all about in life. And the realization that comes to Timon is, he cannot truly be happy in life without his friends and family.

And then you remember this scene where he argues with Pumbaa? That is definitely not something you see every day between the duo. In which their argument is actually quite serious in this film (more so, from Timon). I mean, I was also really surprised to see that Pumbaa actually stood up to him. When Pumbaa says: "I was about to ask you the same thing".

A lot of what I've typed here is covered in the production notes of this TLK film. The creators (and even what I've seen some LK fans fail to realize on this film, is that there were contributions made from the TLK 1 crew), gave Timon an almost golden opportunity. And while his story in this film may have not been executed perfectly, I'm still satisfied and thankful to see that I have gotten this real story for Timon, in living color. It's definitely much better than having no film made about him at all, to look on. And nothing, in the Timon & Pumbaa show, stands up for Timon, like it does for him in TLK 1.5. Nor is it even connected to this TLK film.


[quote="Simbaist"]This movie had so much potential but they just blew it all away by mocking Lion King 1 and becoming too childish.[/quote]
I don't see this film as being a mockery to the first TLK movie at all. Why? Because if they really were trying to do this, they would've Actually shown dramatic scenes of Mufasa falling to his death in front of Simba in the gorge, and such. But they didn't make fun of those TLK 1 scenes. Some people claim that they did. But in truth, they didn't.

Now the only thing I didn't really enjoy watching was the Pumbaa fart at Pride Rock scene, and I think the creators could've avoided putting this in the film, along with the silhouette scenes. But these little flaws do not make the movie actually childish, bad, or a mockery to TLK 1. It's because they still kept to the formula of the original (that made that film so good to many), in a big way, in this film.

It seems nowadays, everyone takes things like this subject for granted. In which they probably know deep down, they shouldn't. But the only other thing I'm going to say on this right now is, if many fans have learned to like the first two TLK films, then surely, they can learn to like this one too.
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Also, concerning this:

[quote]I would definitely have seen it as a great movie, because I love the character Timon.[/quote]
My best advice to you on this, is if you Really like him, do not be afraid to show it. I know many members here have struck down on him in the past. But I keep my identity of Timon strong here, because I do adore him for all that he is, especially in TLK 1.5. And I'm not afraid to show members and guests that.

[Timon4life]

I agree with you Timon The Great, I would have liked to see Timon's childhood as well. but what I liked about TLK 1.5 was we really got to see the official past of Timon and how he became an outcast. There were hints of how it might have happened in the T&P TV show but no real solid story. there was an earlier version of Timon's mom in the series who was quite annoying (even though she turned out to be Timon's practical joking friend Fred) I liked TLK 1.5's version of his mom a lot better.

[Ninaroja]

I think sometimes a lot of us here forget that the film makers didn't just make the sequels for the TLK fans. They were made by Disney to appeal to a large audience. Since Timon and Pumbaa were the comic relief of the series a really serious film about them would not have gone down well at all. We the fans want to know the backstory of every character, want it to be gritty and dark and dramatic. The general public? Not so much.

Also, TLK 1.5 being the worst of the series? Don't agree.

*cough* Simba's pride *cough*

[Bloodspill]

True! In TLK 1.5 (in our country it's 3 though) everything is well made, those colours...And Timon was how he should be, compare him to Timon from Simba's Pride...
Of course we the fans wish that there was made the next movie with more serious subjects, but I can't imagine 1.5 being serious... Even if, it would fit more Timon, cause even if there would be presented the whole past of Pumba, with tragedies like deaths or whatever, the audience probably wouldn't take it seriously... I mean, for children Pumba is just a cartoon character to laugh out.