My Lion King Forum

In the "hey, who's the pig?" scene, Pumbaa literally almost kills Shenzi and Banzai, just because Banzai called him a pig. I think that's overreacting. It wasn't even intended as an insult; Banzai was just calling him by his species. He beat Shenzi up when she didn't do anything, and what's worse, he didn't even give them time to run or explain or anything. I'm sorry, but as a fan of the hyenas, I'm very antagonistic towards Pumba in this scene, and feel it portrays him as a bit of a bully.

That whole scene was a send-up of the famous movie line, "They call me Mister Tibbs!", from In the Heat of the Night. While Simba and Timon called Pumbaa a pig when they were stargazing, they were just stating his animal family (Suidae). As for Banzai's remark, Pumbaa probably took it as being mentioned he's fat hence the term pig. Remember in the third film, Pumbaa was offended at being called fat, though Timon stated it was a compliment because he is literally a pig. So, if in reference to obesity, Pumbaa did over-react, though some people don't like to be told they're fat, but they certainly won't beat up someone because of it. In the context of the movie, it was meant to be nothing more and nothing less of a humorous pop culture reference.

No. Is that overreacting to kill your enemy in a war?

[quote="juhouh"]No. Is that overreacting to kill your enemy in a war?[/quote]

But Pumba is a nice guy...he wouldn't kill someone just because they made a remark that he took to be about his weight.

I think this whole thing was really just for the laughs. Plus, I'm not sure that fighting with your somewhat mortal enemies counts as bullying...

^^ Basically what I came here to say as well. It was war, and the scene, at least in my opinion, was made to add a bit of comic relief/humour to the situation.

Not to mention, the hyenas had just tried to/were going to eat Timon, Pumbaa's best friend, moments before "Mr. Pig" showed up on the scene. It wasn't really hard to see why he had a bone to pick with them.

This is what I think about that scene:

In The Lion King, the derogatory phrases about pigs still exist. After all, remember Pumbaa's comment of "I ate like a pig!". So when Banzai calls him a pig, I think it was both used as a species and an insult, because I think the proper way to name Pumbaa based on species alone would be "Hey, who's the warthog?" After all, Banzai's phrase would be akin to asking if a lion came bye, "Hey, who's the cat?" Just not specific enough. But if an insult is also meant, using the term pig would be fine.

So while Pumbaa can get mad at others who he doesn't know calling a pig, also remember that the hyenas had Pumbaa's friend in danger. I think that was more important than being called a pig, because Pumbaa sounded already quite mad before the hyenas noticed him. Just listen to how he says "drop 'em!".

In one sense, maybe he did overreact, but not like it's to the point where the reaction is annoying. It's clearly just for comedy in the little scenario while the larger and intense fight between the lions and the other hyenas is happening outside the rock.

I thought the line was "Problem?", making it sound like he's trying to sort it out humanely, which is why what happened afterwards came across as bullying. If it was "drop him!" that would make more sense.

[quote="EdtheHyena"]But Pumba is a nice guy...he wouldn't kill someone just because they made a remark that he took to be about his weight.[/quote]
It's natural, if your friend calls you an idiot you might take it as a joke, but if someone you hate does the same you might go rampage. There's a big difference if Timon (who is his best friend) or the hyenas (who tries to eat them) calls him "Pig"