(SPOILER ALERT) The Rise of Makuu review good or bad

[gothprincesskiara]

ok I hope we can use this thread for a review conversation, because I got 3 problems with the Rise of Makuu.

#1. Um I really hope that Mufasa was not gonna continue reappearing in every show, cause I think this will give the kids the wrong Idea that spirits of the dead will not show up when you want them too, it just doesn't work that way.

#2. I noticed How when they are in the Lion Guard Lair for the last time in the show, Beshte getsout of the water and shows them then the spring and the trees, and then in the next shot he suddenly back in the water, that is bad camera work there.

#3 Im not really happy that Kions Roar is really a powerful magic that is extremely strong to blow the leaves off trees

[Squeely]

Cons:
I'm not a big fan of having Mufasa pop up so often. It sorta cheapens his seldom appearances from the films, especially since it seems like James Earl Jones won't be doing the voice for the show. It's something I can live with if it must happen every episode, but I'd prefer if it didn't.

"Don't Make a Stink" is a pretty meh song. Not really horrible, but not too good either. I know it's expecting a bit much for every song to be good if they're doing a song per episode, but I can't shake the feeling that it could have been better. Doesn't bode terribly well for future songs, but I'll remain hopeful that we'll get some good ones.

I can't help but wonder where the rest of the pride is when the baboons are all over Pride Rock. I know they're probably out hunting, but it still seems a bit weird to see Pride Rock completely empty.

Pros:
I love how educational it is. I'm learning a lot about animals!

The mashindano was pretty brutal. Probably as brutal as you can get for a show targeted at very young audiences. I'm glad the show isn't afraid to get intense if need be.

I like that Makuu is somewhat redeemed at the end, and given the chance to grow and become a good leader.

I like that Simba actually does some king things. I'm glad we may learn more about the kinds of duties a Lion King has.

[Troll Berserker]

Pros:

*Adventure - It's fun and enjoyable show about kids and their adventures that doesn't think its viewers are idiots who needs everything repeated slowly in simple words. All these kid shows, UGH.
* Other animals - It's great to see Pridelands live and all kinds of non-lion animals are being made into valuable characters.
* Crocodiles - Except Makuu being ignorant and selfish on his own, It's good to see crocodiles, who are often having an antagonistic role, as a good/neutral part of Circle of Life.
*Simba being a king - After all the talking about how lions are rulers over other animals, it's good to see Simba finally doing some of his royal duties.


Cons:

*Where is the whole pride? - We only see Zuri and Tiifu appear again and I think it was completely unecessary. Don't they have their own famillies. Maybe they wanted to go with their friend Kiara to see mashidano, but why only them? Where is the rest of the pride? And where are they when baboons are in the Priderock? I can't believe that the whole pride left, leaving their teritory and two royal cubs unprotected. Speaking of that - Simba would never leave Kiara alone at this point.
* Mufasa - As others said, I feel that Mufasa is being overused and if it happens more times, he's gonna lose his role as a watchful ghost who appears only in a great need. Now it seems he appears whenever Kion has some problems he can't solve himself. They should've given this supporting role to Simba, Nala or some other character instead of using Mufasa.
* The song - It's kinda interrupting the plot for me. I'm not a fan of songs in every episode.

[zerodix]

well my review is this:

pro: I liked the introduction of new characters of various species, like the crocodiles and the father of Beshte. Love the good vibe of them, they are all social and friendly, that's very, well..Disney It also appeared to me that the zebras in the maschingo scene have very unique designs, that makes me suspice that they might appear as characters in another following episode maybe. The opening song was...wow! it fits the whole lion king vibe!

cons: why a song about stinking? didn't we have enough timon and pumbaa-ish humor? not my thing. And where are the other grownups in this pride? the only lions we see are simba and nala, and the cubs we already met in the movies.
zazu... what happened with him? where is he? is he alive? mufasa is overly used, if I were a ghost like mufasa, I would say suit yourself kid, got some spooking around to do.

[SimbaPrescott]

Pros
●Action - The fight scene was pretty awesome for a show aimed at preschoolers.
●Educational in a friendly way - It doesn't just pointlessly shove things in your face like most shows aimed at this age group do. It blends them in wonderfully.
●Interesting story - Not just a simple 'croc is being mean let's stop him' but an actual 'these are the consequences of his actions, the Pride Lands as a whole are affected, let's get him to change his ways and understand why things are as they are'.
●Makuu is given another chance. Not necessarily redeemed, but given a chance to learn.
●Pua was a great character - It was nice to see a wise crocodile for a change.

Cons
●The song 'theme' - I really would have preferred a song from Makuu instead at some point, as opposed to one dedicated to the side story (which was slightly crude humour again).
●The rest of the pride - Where are they again? Didn't Simba tell Kion that there were many lions for him to choose?
●Mufasa appearing - Was it really necessary this time? Surely Pua could have just had an extended talk with Kion and eventually led him to the same conclusion?

[ScarsLove]

Pros:

Educational
Good animation
Decent story
Redemption for a bad character

Cons:
Horrible song
Instant Mufasa - why does he appear so suddenly? He didn't appear for years for Simba in the movie and only did when he pretty much lost his way. Is the sky comparable to instant messaging for lions? Does this mean he can talk to Scar, Sarabi, etc?
Bunga's stink - was that really necessary?
Where the hell is Simba's pride? Every movie there seems to be less and less lions. I thought, "Okay, maybe there were less lions at that crocodile duel because only important members of different herds could come." but then baboons take over the caves. Was the whole pride out hunting? If Simba is the same over protective douche I remember he is, then why is he leaving his home and two cubs unprotected. I understand Kion is apart of the lion guard and blessed with his own form of 'Fus-Ro-Dah' but seriously. And why would a whole pride of lions get kicked out by baboons?

[Squeely]

[quote="zerodix"]zazu... what happened with him? where is he? is he alive?[/quote]
Zazu is definitely alive. We saw him briefly in RotR. I still don't know where he is in this episode, though.

[quote="ScarsLove"]And why would a whole pride of lions get kicked out by baboons?[/quote]
I don't think the baboons kicked the lions out so much as the lions were gone before the baboons got there. Still leaves the question of where the heck were all the lions, though.

[Amadi_the_Guard]

I think it was alright, and I'm happy with the direction the show is taking. I was afraid it was going to be 100% educational, and that it's only point would be teaching children about animals in Africa and how to protect nature, to be honest. But after watching this episode, I see that's not all the show will have to offer, and that it will concentrate on some problem-solving as well.

Pros:
I think the animation wasn't bad. It varies from scene to scene, but all in all, it doesn't ruin the mood, and doesn't look laughable when compared to the movie.

The episode had enough plot to be interesting, even for older watchers. It wasn't bland or childish, especially if we take into consideration that it's a show for toddlers, but it still didn't cross a line. The main themes from what I've seen were fighting, violence, and ways you can deal with it, and from my point of view, there is nothing wrong about that in a show for children. I'm not the biggest fan of kid media that exclude any type of violence and similar things simply because of its target audience, because firstly, it can take a toll on the plot, and secondly, sheltering children is not a good way to teach them important things in life, even at such a young age. In the episode, Kion stood up for himself without using violence, but how would that matter unless there was Makuu and his behavior to make the contrast. I also like how it's mentioned that we should still remain respectful even towards things that we don't believe in, like other people's traditions - that would be a good lesson for some adults, too.

I honestly hope that we see more animals and their ways of life - how hey function and stuff.

Also, the gas smell song wasn't all that bad, but... I dunno, I wish they didn't waste a song on such silly things. Mashindano was pretty good, but I'm not sure if that was a song - more like chanting or something, heh. Still, I found it pretty cool.

Unique animal designs - but it's not thrown in your face. Take a look at Kiara and her friends, they are obviously different, but their fur colors don't make all that much contrast and therefore it looks realistic.

Also, I love how they decided that Bunga's smell is useful and Ono apologized in the end, because acceptance of our differences is very important, and we shouldn't try to change others if they don't want that. Unless, of course, they aren't doing anything bad.


Cons:
While I like how the show isn't babyish, I wish they would concentrate more on giving obvious good messages with each episode that kids will be able to read more easily. I hate to pull this up, but MLP is a pretty good example of how I wish it would be done. I know it would annoy a lot of older viewers, but still, sometimes kids need that.

I too have a problem with instant Mufasa - come on, it kinda beats the whole point of him being dead if you can call him up any time. Besides, is there nobody else who is wise that Kion can talk to. Sarabi could still be alive, Rafiki's there, Simba... anyone. And does he show up to Kion only? Sure, Kion is the guard, but I'm sure Kiara and Simba would like to see him too and would need his help from time to time. I know great kings have been mentioned in the original movies as well, but they didn't seem all this responsive. Or is it something with Kion and his abilities... dunno.

At first, I wanted to say a few good things about how they discourage Kion from using the roar, but no, I'm sorry, it's still not done very well and I can see why it bothers so many people. Sure, Kion didn't use the roar to fight Makuu directly, but he still used his magical roar abilities to intimidate him and solve the problem. What lesson is that supposed to carry? You don't have to beat someone up, you can always... punch a wall to show him you can do it. I wish they decided to have Kion try a few other ways of dealing with Makuu and if those didn't work our he would resort to the roar - heck, he could have even tried to fight by the crocodile rules, without it completely.

[SimbasGuard]

Zazu is alive. Kiara said that he told her that The Crocodiles had forced the Hippos out of their territory.

I like how the lessons for the kids were woven into the story. If intended lesson are too in your face, kids will stop thinking the show is fun.

If James Earl Jones is not speaking for Mufasa, Mufasa should have nothing to say.

As for why Simba left Pride Rock Undefended, perhaps he was trying to show his faith in The Lion Guard by leaving Kiara and Pride Rock in their care.

[Leviara_Lioness]

[quote="ScarsLove"]Pros:

Educational
Good animation
Decent story
Redemption for a bad character

Cons:
Horrible song
Instant Mufasa - why does he appear so suddenly? He didn't appear for years for Simba in the movie and only did when he pretty much lost his way. Is the sky comparable to instant messaging for lions? Does this mean he can talk to Scar, Sarabi, etc?
Bunga's stink - was that really necessary?
Where the hell is Simba's pride? Every movie there seems to be less and less lions. I thought, "Okay, maybe there were less lions at that crocodile duel because only important members of different herds could come." but then baboons take over the caves. Was the whole pride out hunting? If Simba is the same over protective douche I remember he is, then why is he leaving his home and two cubs unprotected. I understand Kion is apart of the lion guard and blessed with his own form of 'Fus-Ro-Dah' but seriously. And why would a whole pride of lions get kicked out by baboons?[/quote]


[quote="gothprincesskiara"]ok I hope we can use this thread for a review conversation, because I got 3 problems with the Rise of Makuu.

#1. Um I really hope that Mufasa was not gonna continue reappearing in every show, cause I think this will give the kids the wrong Idea that spirits of the dead will not show up when you want them too, it just doesn't work that way.

#2. I noticed How when they are in the Lion Guard Lair for the last time in the show, Beshte getsout of the water and shows them then the spring and the trees, and then in the next shot he suddenly back in the water, that is bad camera work there.

#3 Im not really happy that Kions Roar is really a powerful magic that is extremely strong to blow the leaves off trees[/quote]

ok, once again, its my "opinion" that I agree with these two quotes from Nikki, and my lioness Sis Goth, but I will say this, everyone has made good points, too! so I'm just gonna sit back and see what else occurre's . so thats my lioness thought, as I'm one to stay neutral on things, unless theres a reason not to. Personally i think Sarabi is still living, and I have a feeling this will only get more intresting, as we go along with TLG RoTR! As for the Pride kicked out by Baboons, HMMP! I dont think so ! it may have looked that way, but I dont believe it !